Occupational Therapist

KEY FUNCTION:
Provide specialized assessment, treatment, and intervention for older adults with multiple complex health needs and provide resources for professionals and caregivers in Northern Ontario.

REPORTING:
Under the general direction of the Clinical Manager, Regional Outpatient Geriatric Medicine Service.

DUTIES:
1. Administer and perform comprehensive geriatric assessments.
2. Analyse and synthesize referral and assessment findings from in home geriatric assessment into a comprehensive clinical report identifying client’s priority needs and relevant treatment options designed to optimize their independence.
3. Assess condition changes and medication effects and relay relevant information to physicians and team members.
4. Provide intensive geriatric case management for medically complex older adults.
5. Treat patients to optimize functional independence and physical performance promoting optimal mobility, physical activity and overall health and wellness.
6. Rehabilitate injury and the effects of disease/disability by implementing therapeutic exercise programs and other interventions.
7. Monitor medication effects on mobility/physical function.
8. Prescribe mobility devices as required.
9. Review and prioritize all incoming client referrals.
10. Manage outreach clinic; support partners in care and provide education and capacity building for health care providers regarding geriatrics.
11. Create, implement, and deliver education to medical professionals, nurses, and physicians across the geriatric continuum of care.
12. Participate in the planning, organization, development and delivery of the Coordinated Access program.
13. Support the Geriatric Medicine Follow-Up Clinic using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment; present findings to physicians.
14. Develop, implement and evaluate specialty programs (e.g. bone health and continence).
15. Provide support and education to patients and their caregivers.
16. Educate client and family in coping strategies, decision-making, and utilization of personal and community resources, and make referrals to community resources as required.
17. Collaborate with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and community partners throughout the therapy process and advocate to ensure client needs are met.
18. Complete joint interdisciplinary home visits as required.
19. Travel to NESGC sites across Northern Ontario (i.e. Timmins, New Liskeard, Kapuskasing, Hearst, Parry Sound, Elliot Lake, and James Bay Coast) as requried.
20. Document assessment in the patient’s medical chart, clinical impression, and all related occupational therapy intervention and patient outcomes; maintain an accepted standard of documentation for quality assurance as outlined by HSN policies and the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO).
21. Maintain relevant statistical information.
22. Develop and implement clinical procedures.
23. Supervise student placements.
24. Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
25. Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
26. Contribute to learner development by providing academic support, mentorship, preceptorship and supervision as required.
27. Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety legislation, standards and guidelines.
28. Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
29. Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required.
30. Perform other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND TRAINING:
1. Minimum of a four (4) year Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, from an accredited university.
2. Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited university is preferred.
3. Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) is required.
4. Successful completion of the Geriatric Assessor training course, Core Indigenous Cultural Competency Training Program, and the P.I.E.C.E.S. Training program are required.
5. Certification as an Assistive Devices Program (ADP) authorizer is preferred.
6. Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.

EXPERIENCE:
1. Minimum of five (5) years’ experience working within Specialized Geriatric Services and completing assessment and treatment guided by the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of health assessment tools (e.g. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing Test, Phonemic/Semantic Fluency, Trails Making Test, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia), medications, and telemedicine procedures.
2. Demonstrated knowledge of health assessment, medications, and telemedicine procedures.
3. Demonstrated ability to exercise professional judgment, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking with the ability to apply ethical frameworks and choose the optimal assessment and treatment intervention.
4. Demonstrated knowledge of mobilizing community health resources and enhancing continuum of care.
5. Demonstrated knowledge of education curriculum development, implementation and evaluation.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of Indigenous and Francophone culture.
7. Demonstrated knowledge of Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
8. Demonstrated knowledge of specialized geriatric community services and available resources.
9. Demonstrated ability to effectively problem-solve, set priorities, and manage conflict.
10. Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in general health care and community resources.
11. Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
12. Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
13. Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems (e.g. Meditech and Accuro).
14. Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
15. Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
16. Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
17. Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:
1. Successful Vulnerable Sector Check is required.
2. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
3. Proven ability to work independently and in a team environment.
4. Demonstrated ability to perform with minimal supervision.
5. Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and patients.
6. Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
7. Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
8. Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
9. Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
10. Willingness to travel between local sites and outreach clinics across Northern Ontario including the James Bay Coast.
11. Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle is required.
12. Demonstrated ability to work outside regular work hours as required.

Selection Process:  Candidates will be selected for this position on the basis of their skill, ability, experience and qualifications as identified in the resume and completed Application Form submitted. The Hospital reserves the right to conduct a formal interview where required. This posting is for an existing vacancy.
 

Health Sciences North is committed to providing accommodations to applicants with disabilities to enable their participation in the recruitment, assessment, selection and hiring stages of employment.

HSN THANKS ALL APPLICANTS.
ONLY THOSE SELECTED FOR INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONTACTED.
WE WILL NOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE AND TIME.