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.

In conjunction with designated management and other team members, the Professional Practice Leader, Occupational Therapy participates in the planning and coordination of Occupational Therapy services, practice standards, goals and objectives, and collaborates on various staffing and quality control issues at the designated site. Provides leadership, direction and guidance on areas related to research and education, practice teaching and fieldwork experience for Occupational Therapy students. As required, provides Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Provides leadership in Occupational Therapy professional standards and practice and participates in the planning and coordination of Occupational Therapy services at the designated site by methods such as providing clinical guidance and expertise, mentoring and coaching, and facilitating workplace solutions; developing, establishing, communicating and evaluating professional practice standards; developing and overseeing a review system to ensure compliance with standards; developing, communicating and evaluating goals and objectives for the discipline to ensure practice is consistent with program and service goals and objectives; and providing advice on professional practice standards, codes of ethics and issues such as registration.

2. Collaborates with the Clinical Services Manager or Designate in various staffing issues as they relate to the clinical practice as required by methods such as providing input into employee performance evaluations to promote quality work performance, acting as a resource to clarify the role of the discipline in delivering patient and client care services, providing clinical performance support and creates practice plans to meet professional standards, participating in the development of Occupational Therapy job descriptions, assisting in determining orientation and training requirements, discussing progress, referring items requiring disciplinary action to the Clinical Services Manager or Designate and assisting with staff selection by participating on interview panels and providing recommendations regarding evaluation of candidates to facilitate optimal hiring decisions.

3. Provides leadership, direction and guidance in Occupational Therapy education, practices, and special initiatives by methods such as developing an education plan to provide continuing education for Occupational Therapy staff -discipline specific and interdisciplinary; identifying, promoting and supporting professional development initiatives by practice members in collaboration with the Director, Professional Practice, Program Manager and/or Program Director; providing relevant education and training to multidisciplinary staff; and developing an orientation material for new Occupational Therapy staff and assisting by providing orientation to new Occupational Therapy staff at the designated site.

4. Develops and arranges training and education plans for practicum students by developing education plans, providing instruction and supervision to Occupational Therapy practicum students, and by liaising with educational institutions and coordinating the placement of practicum students.

5. Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities and provides leadership and direction on research and development initiatives for Occupational Therapy services by evaluating, developing, and/or implementing new programs or research projects in cooperation with clinical teams, other disciplines, educational institutions or agencies; identifying corporate projects and initiatives specific to the discipline; identifying best practices and researches/promotes evidence based practice; and develops, implements, and evaluates policy in collaboration with the Director, Professional Practice, Program Manager and/or Program Director.

6. Maintains and updates relevant knowledge and understanding of Occupational Therapy practice, community mental health, Occupational Therapy standards of practice, and the applicable sections of the Freedom of Information and Protection and Privacy Act.

7. Provides Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment, as required, according to established standards by performing duties such as assessing needs, planning, implementing, evaluating and documenting Occupational Therapy services to an individual client or group of clients, and exchanging information with physicians, nursing staff, other allied health professionals and external agencies as required to ensure optimum client care. Counsels client and family on matters such as identified problems, concerns and treatment objectives.

8. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from a recognized university with an approved program in Occupational Therapy.
• Three (3) years' recent related experience providing treatment services to individuals with concurrent psychiatric disorder and/or substance use issues and/or individuals who have a developmental disability and concurrent mental health and/or behavioural issues including one (1) year in a supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Current full registration as an Occupational Therapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC.

Skills and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of mental illness including current trends, best practices and modalities of treatment.
• Broad knowledge of mental health service delivery system, service mandates, referral guidelines, legislation and government policies
• Comprehensive knowledge of Occupational Therapy theory, and practice within a client and family centred model.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the standards of practice and guidelines for clinical practitioners established by the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based Occupational Therapy practice related to clinical areas.
• Comprehensive knowledge of organization’s policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Comprehensive knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Comprehensive knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, supervision, work direction and training.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with (both orally and in writing), and deal effectively with co-workers, physicians, other health care professionals, clients and their families, and external agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events.
• Demonstrated ability to deal with and/or guide others in resolution of conflict issues.
• Demonstrated ability to problem-solve.
• Demonstrated ability to develop project plans and implement new projects.
• Demonstrated skill and ability to operate related equipment and techniques appropriate to clinical areas.
• Demonstrated physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Demonstrated ability to develop educational programs and materials.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized patient care information system.