Job Summary:

In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.     

Consistent with the interprofessional setting and the mission, values and strategic directions of BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital, the Occupational Therapist focuses on occupational performance in the areas of self-care, productivity and leisure within the context of a client and family centered care model for an assigned area within Children’s & Women’s Health Centre, a Provincial Resource Centre.  The Occupational Therapist uses an in depth knowledge of biological, behavioral, social and occupational sciences and provides multidimensional and expanded assessments and interventions by analyzing the dynamic relationship between clients/patients and families, the environment and occupation.  The Occupational Therapist uses advanced knowledge, skill and advanced clinical theory gained through additional training, education and/or experience.  The Occupational Therapist participates in program development focusing on the assigned area and participates in education and research activities.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1.    Provides Occupational Therapy assessments using advanced skill, knowledge and clinical reasoning within assigned area.

2.    Applies advanced clinical knowledge and reasoning to the development and implementation of occupational therapy treatment programs for clients/patients including developing innovative solutions to assessment and treatment issues.

3.    Documents information including relevant clinical data, assessments, treatment plans, progress reports and outcomes.

4.    Assesses the need for specific client/patient equipment including home/lifestyle adaptations on and off-site and assists clients/patients and families to obtain specific equipment to meet the individual needs of the client/patient by performing duties such as communicating both verbally and in writing with agencies regarding the specific needs of the client/patient and requesting funding and liaising with suppliers regarding equipment needs.

5.    Maintains communication with clients/patients and families and/or caregivers in order to foster optimal progress for the client/patient through methods such as establishing and maintaining supportive, collaborative and therapeutic relationships.  Develops and/or participates in client/family education including establishing treatment/care programs.
6.    Develops and/or participates in client/patient and family education including establishing treatment/care programs.

7.    Participates in multi-disciplinary groups and/or teams including individuals such as physicians, nursing staff and other paramedical professionals by performing duties such as providing consultation, clinical advice, input and suggestions related to the management of the referred client/patient or group of clients within assigned area to ensure that quality care is delivered in a timely and effective manner.

8.    Participates on professional committees/teams and designated programs through methods such as attending meetings, providing written/verbal advanced knowledge to promote improvements in occupational therapy and interdisciplinary practice as it relates to the referred clients/patients and to facilitate the resolution of issues and advocate for the goals and objectives of occupational therapy as they relate to the specific clients/patients.

9.    Collaborates with relevant senior personnel to develop research proposals and participates in conducting approved research projects in collaboration with relevant personnel through methods such as drafting research proposals, providing information on proposed budgets, collecting data, analyzing data, summarizing information and participating in disseminating research findings.

10.    Participates in orientation and training for others such as therapists, inter-disciplinary team member in-services, continuing education and mentorship utilizing accepted learning principles and resources; develops educational materials as required including pamphlets.

11.    Responds to inquiries from the community both locally and provincially regarding assessment and treatment protocols within the assigned area through methods such as providing advice and intervention techniques and/or making referrals to appropriate resources; advises when on-site assessment and/or treatment is recommended.

12.    Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities related to Occupational Therapy by methods such as selecting and utilizing outcome measurements, evaluating effect of changes in client/patient focused practice and recommending new or revisions to policies, procedures and protocols.

13.    Participates in instructing/supervising students by performing duties such as providing supervision, clinical education and guidance and performance evaluation.

14.    Maintains and updates knowledge in Occupational Therapy by methods such as reviewing literature, consultation with other professionals and attendance/participation at relevant education programs and sharing of information with colleagues and multi-disciplinary team, in order to contribute to the continuing improvement of care in Therapy Services.

15.    Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Current full registration as an Occupational Therapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.
• Two (2) years of recent related experience including one (1) year in pediatrics or an equivalent combination of education, training or experience.  Plus 50 hours of post graduate course work/training related to additional procedures, techniques and job functions for assigned area.


Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in groups, one-on-one and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member, motivator and facilitator.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to develop educational programs and materials.
• Demonstrated ability to operate related equipment.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the job.
• Demonstrated ability to critically appraise research evidence.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.