Occupational Therapist

at  Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Auth

JOB SUMMARY

The Sioux Lookout Area Primary Care Team (SLAPCT) provides primary health care to clients in Sioux Lookout Region including the communities in the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) catchment area. SLAPCT primary health care services encompass health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.
Under the Sioux Lookout Area Primary Care Team (SLAPCT), the Occupational Therapist (OT) will provide assessment and intervention planning for clients and caregivers, while working to develop community-based initiatives. The OT will consult with key stakeholders such as nursing station staff, home care coordinators, Band office, school system, equipment vendors and other allied health professionals. The OT will work to their full scope of practice providing support to individuals of all ages in clinical and community settings.
The OT is a key part of the patient circle of care and will work to their full scope of practice. Responsibilities will include the provision of safe and competent care through the application of professional knowledge, technical aspects of professional practice and the demonstration of compassion, professionalism, and respect. The OT will work with all ages, in both the clinic environment and communities providing home visits and interventions within patients’ homes.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current registration in good standing, or eligibility for licensure, with The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen
• Valid Driver’s License as travel via air and road is a requirement
• Minimum of 3 years working experience as a registered Occupational Therapist, preferred
• Knowledge of the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program and Assistive Devices Program (ADP) would be an asset
• Travel via air and road is a requirement.
• Experience working in a First Nations community and ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone would be an asset.
• The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.

ACCOUNTABILITY

The Occupational Therapist is directly accountable to the PCT Pod Manager.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Complete home safety assessments and educate clients on falls prevention
• Prescribe and coordinate home safety equipment orders in conjunction with vendor and/or NIHB and request interim loan through community Home Care Coordinator
• Write letters of support and recommendation for home modification/renovation and submit to community Band Office
• Teach and train clients on proper usage of assistive devices and home safety equipment
• Conduct ergonomic assessments, recommend workplace modifications and/or assist with the development of return-to-work plans
• Educate, coach, and empower clients with self-management strategies to prevent injury and/or cope with chronic disease conditions
• Educate clients, family members, and caregivers about the impact of diagnoses on functional activities and empower them to be active participants in the treatment and recovery processes
• Perform, evaluate, and interpret cognitive assessments and consult with key stakeholders
• Conduct mobility assessment and Assistive Device Program assessments
• Coach, counsel and motivate individuals with mental health conditions to be autonomous in performing [instrumental] activities of daily living (ADLs, IADLs) and engage in meaningful occupations
• Conduct fine/gross motor, developmental, sensory, and visuo-spatial assessments for pediatric clients (0-18 years) and collaborate with families, caregivers and teachers to implement appropriate intervention plans
• Write letters of support and recommendation for pediatric assistive devices and submit funding applications
• Provide individualized treatment plans to develop, maintain, or augment function using evidence-based treatment modalities.
• Assess impact of chronic upper extremity orthopedic conditions using range of motion (ROM), manual muscle testing (MMT), grip strength, two-point discrimination and dynamic performance analyses
• Develop a rehabilitation program in collaboration with the client which may include home exercise program (HEP), hot/cold modalities, ultrasound, positioning, and/or bracing
• Assess functional impact of cognitive-neurological conditions (e.g., stroke), coordinate appropriate supports for client and provide realistic self-management strategies
• Collaborate and consult with allied health professionals, physicians and other health care providers to promote integrated and coordinated care
• Advocate for clients and complete funding requests via Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Jordan’s Principle, Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and/or Third-Party Organizations
• Exercise care and caution in protecting and maintaining confidential client records as per the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Acts (PIPEDA)
• Completes client charts and reports in a timely fashion and maintains client records as per college guidelines and SLAPCT policies and procedures
• Completion of continuous quality improvement activities
• Completes reports after each community visit (i.e.# of community members seen, planning/clinical meetings, meetings with leadership).