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.

The Occupational Therapist reports operationally to the Clinical Services Manager and for discipline/practice general supervision reports to the Professional Practice Leader, Occupational Therapy. The Occupational Therapist provides occupational therapy services to the defined client population, such as individuals with concurrent psychiatric and/or substance abuse/misuse disorders, homelessness and physical health needs, or individuals with a developmental disability and concurrent mental health and/or behavioural issues. Works independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team to enable clients to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes. Performs assessments of clients’ occupational performance utilizing an evidence-based approach, plans and implements outcome-oriented services, evaluates the effectiveness of the services, prepares and maintains records, participates in interdisciplinary research, demonstrates safe and effective resource utilization and quality management, and contributes to the development, review and promotion of occupational therapy services. Uses knowledge and skill in the area of professional practice to independently manage a complex caseload and implements occupational therapy services utilizing diverse intervention approaches. Acts as an Occupational Therapy resource for the designated area/s and provides education and counseling to clients/families. As required, contributes to the organization and delivery of occupational therapy services, provides leadership, direction and clinical guidance to rehabilitation staff and participates in departmental/program quality improvement initiatives, meetings, research and education.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Assesses clients by considering their personal context, goals, interests, needs, safety, environment and resources by utilizing an evidence-based approach, reviewing records, gathering information relevant to the situation, interviewing the client, and determining suitability of services to ensure occupational performance issues important to the client are addressed.  

2. Plans outcome oriented occupational therapy services by collaborating with the client, caregivers/family and other health care providers; identifies client and therapist expectations for service and defines an approach and focus for service; establishes and prioritizes expected outcomes; discusses service implementation options; and determines sources and duration of service to meet identified short and long-term client goals.

3. Implements occupational therapy services utilizing diverse intervention approaches by carrying out the plan, engaging the client in activities associated with occupational roles and the client’s goals, assessing and modifying the implementation, and identifying completion criteria to promote, develop, maintain and/or restore occupational potential. Acts as a group leader/co-leader in the provision of groups to meet the rehabilitation and psycho-educational needs of clients in the areas behavior and development; and by supporting case managers with clients.

4. Uses knowledge and skill in the area of professional practice to independently manage a complex caseload. Coordinates care for clients by applying case management principles, carrying out health, psychosocial, functional/environmental and safety/risk assessments, identifying problems, addressing issues in collaboration with clients and families and works with the appropriate physicians, interdisciplinary team members and/or clients/families to identify and utilize community supports and agencies.  Participates or leads inter-agency and/or multidisciplinary team case management coordination as required.

5. Provides education and counseling to clients/families regarding the functional and rehabilitation issues of clients in the areas of behavior and development, personal life, education, leisure and work; and provides information and guidance to other caregivers, health service providers, staff and other community agencies.

6. Evaluates occupational therapy services, including quality and outcomes, in collaboration with the client and family in keeping with the client’s goals by determining the purpose, method and criteria of the evaluation, implementing the evaluation, and analyzing and interpreting results to utilize results for service delivery and future planning of occupational therapy services.

7. Consults, confers and collaborates with interdisciplinary staff, health care professionals, clients, families, caregivers and other community resources in the identification and resolution of client/family/caregiver care issues, revision or termination of services, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas, and coordination and integration of care, and makes referrals to other services providers, as appropriate.

8. Implements therapeutic volunteer programs as required, according to the organization’s policies and procedures, by methods such as assisting individual clients to access and maintain therapeutic volunteer placements, and coordinating the monitoring and review of recipients receiving therapeutic volunteer programs.

9. Maintains a variety of records including client files by gathering information, entering data into computerized databases and/or documenting information into approved formats according to the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC practice standards. Notes client’s progress, changes to treatment plan, and records test/treatment results to provide evidence and rationale that support assessment findings and intervention plan. Compiles statistics on workload activities and summarizing information into written reports as requested.

10. Guides clinical experience of assigned occupational therapy and rehabilitation assistant students as assigned by providing clinical guidance and the opportunity to observe and take an active role in the treatment of occupational therapy clients, and provides input to the Manager and/or designate as requested on individual's progress in achieving established standards of care. Acts as an Occupational Therapy resource for the designated area/s; provides education, in-services, and attends a variety of meetings as a representative of Occupational Therapy.

11. Participates in team/program activities required to enhance and optimize the delivery of care and facilitate evidence-based practice. Promotes quality management principles for team/program operations, identifies processes/procedures that require improvement, and drafts/revises guidelines, policies and procedures for review.

12. Participates on committees as directed to promote optimal support for clients, facilitate the resolution of issues, represent the rehabilitation goals on regional committees, and advocate for the goals and objectives of the team/program.

13. Participates in approved occupational therapy and interdisciplinary research and special projects in collaboration with designated personnel/team and other health care professionals, through methods such as collecting data, summarizing information, and/or providing verbal updates for review and further analysis by principal researcher, research team and/or project coordinator.

14. Maintains and updates own clinical knowledge within area of practice and develops a plan in collaboration with designated personnel/team for professional development. Reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within established time frames.

15. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situ