Occupational Therapist (OT), Employee Support Program - Full-time Job Listing at VON Canada in Shelburne, NS (Job ID og8Aufwc-CYzYVfwa)

Description

Requisition Details:

Employment Status: Regular, Full-time (1.0 FTE)
Program: Occupational Therapy, Employee Support Program
Work Schedule: Days
Number of Hours Bi-weekly: 75
Location: Service areas include Yarmouth, Shelburne, Queens & Lunenburg Counties This opportunity is working with front-line staff virtually and in the client's home. Travel is required within the service area. When not delivering services in the field, the Occupational Therapist may work from home and/or the VON office. VON is seeking Occupational Therapists to join our Employee Support Program, which provides workplace safety training to nurses, CCAs, and other care workers delivering home care services. The Occupational Therapist collaborates with home care organizations, their Occupational Health & Safety teams, and employees to assess needs, address concerns, and develop recommendations to prevent injuries and ensure smooth return-to-work transitions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provides instruction on safe use of home health equipment and mobility aids
• Provide training to support the application of safe work practices
• Use a variety of modalities and methods, including consultation, one-on-one face-to-face sessions, virtual sessions, and small group sessions
• Facilitates return to work for employees
• Develops, implements, and evaluates education and awareness programs such as injury prevention
• Conducts ergonomic assessments
• Provides professional support to area program managers and staff as a content expert i.e. safe client handling train-the-trainer
• Demonstrates knowledge, skills and attitudes as outlined in the Occupational Therapy standards and guidelines for an evidence-based practice, in order to assess, plan, evaluate progress (for potential discharge) and document patient plan of care within a patient centered approach to therapy goals.
• Assesses patient's ability to function safely in the home/community environment i.e. Activities of Daily Living (ADL's), Instrumental ADL's, equipment needs etc.
• Assesses patient's cognitive ability to function independently within the home/community environment.
• Assesses patients from a holistic approach i.e. mental health status, social contacts, spiritual, and physical needs that may potentially impact the patient's ability to maintain independence in home environment.
• Develops a client-centered plan with the patient/family and health care team (i.e. Care Coordinator, Physiotherapist, Personal Support Worker (PSW), Nursing, etc.).
• Provides education and recommendations to patient/family pertaining to the patient's therapy goals.
• Provides assistance with funding sources to obtain equipment and/or home/vehicle modifications (porch lifts, ramps, grab bars, stair glides, etc.) as applicable.
• Monitors patient outcomes and progression towards therapy goals.
• Modifies patient's care plans as required based on patient outcomes.
• Documents patient outcomes and current care plans in the electronic patient chart according to the funder and College of Occupational Therapist of Ontario (COTO) guidelines.
• Communicates with funding agency as required regarding patient outcomes and status changes.
• Manages and maintains caseload of clients and responds appropriately to changes in volume.
• Completes and updates the written care plan (electronic copy) with information collected from the patient, his/her family and any other healthcare or educational professionals involved.
• Utilizes verbal and non-verbal communication skills effectively with the patient/family as required.
• Demonstrates professional code of conduct / communication with all members of the health team as per VON guidelines and policy.
• Collaborates with outside partners to support employee health (e.g., maintains contact with vendors, PTs/OTs, OT Clinics, and Hospital-Based OT services in the community)
• Works with the Occupational Health & Safety Teams of all Home Care agencies

Education, Designations and Experience:

• Masters in Occupational Therapy (or degree prepared occupational therapy education prior to 2008).
• Valid registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and associated liability insurance.
• Member with the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapist is preferred.
• Experience in a health care environment (i.e. long term care, acute medicine, rehab unit, rehab clinic or community visiting program).
• Demonstrates knowledge of community resources preferred.
• Provided care to patients of varying diagnoses across the lifespan (stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), falls, dementia, Parkinson's, Chronic Lung Disease, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), developmental delay, learning disability etc.)
• Experience with patients who have musculoskeletal challenges an asset.
• Paediatric experience for OT's working in the school environment.
• Detailed knowledge of the healthcare system and service delivery model used.

Skill Requirements:

• Ability to utilize computer software program(s) on a hand held device (i.e. phone or tablet).
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of technology for documentation of patient outcomes.
• Strong communicate skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work interdependently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to adjust to working in different social and economic environments.
• Ability to respond to changes in patient caseloads and care needs.
• Demonstrates excellent time management skills to balance client visits, paperwork and urgency of referrals.
• Demonstrates a passion for serving the community and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Other:

• Must have a personal vehicle and possess both a current driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Willingness to travel regularly during the day as well to support sites and attend meetings
• A current and original copy of a satisfactory Criminal Records Check is required.
• A Vulnerable Sector Search and/or Child Abuse Registry Check may be required.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment.

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.

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