Yaletown House is a non profit care facility for seniors with complex care needs and is located in Vancouver, BC. We provide quality health care and services to 127 senior residents in a safe, supportive and home like environment.
Reporting to the Director, Resident Services (Director), and in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, policies and procedures and strategic directions of Yaletown House, the Physiotherapist is responsible for the provision of professional physiotherapy practices in accordance and code of ethics as outlined by the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC) within the context of a person-centered model of care.
The Physiotherapist is responsible for providing physiotherapy services to enable residents to achieve and maintain optimal physical and functional health outcomes, by working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Performs assessments on resident’s physical status, functional abilities and needs and goals, establishes physiotherapy diagnosis and prognosis, develops and implements intervention strategies, evaluates the effectiveness of the interventions, and communicates with the resident/family and clinical team members. The Physiotherapist is also a clinical resource to the interdisciplinary team regarding physical and functional therapy issues.
The Physiotherapist is also responsible for the planning, development, implementation and evaluation of the continuing physical and functional therapy programs to support and ensure quality standards are met, maintained and that the residents’ physical therapy needs are met.
The Physiotherapist is an integral member of the Yaletown House interdisciplinary team and requires teamwork, communication and cooperation. It is the expectation that the individual in this position contributes to a positive, safe working environment, takes instruction well and cooperates with the Clinical Leadership Team and co-workers. This person must manage their time well and participate in meetings and education as required.

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

• Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Therapy or Rehabilitation Sciences from a recognized program; and
• Minimum of two (2) years’ recent, experience as a clinical Physiotherapist in a healthcare setting, preferably Long Term Care.
• Current active registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC and must be eligible for membership in the Physiotherapy Association of British Columbia (PABC).

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Broad knowledge of Physiotherapy theory, practice, standardized tests and measures.
• Broad knowledge of the CPTBC Standards of Practice and Guidelines for clinical physical therapists.
• Demonstrated high standard and commitment to provide quality clinical physical therapy within a resident centered model of care.
• Demonstrated ability to assess residents with multi-system physical therapy problems and respond appropriately.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of clinical physical therapy service that support best practices in a health care environment, preferably Long Term Care.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of appropriate regulations, legislation, College of Physical Therapists of BC standards of practices, provincial/national standards as applied in a long term care setting.
• Demonstrated clinical assessment skills and ability to evaluate the delivery of clinical physical therapy service.
• Demonstrated skill in physiotherapy techniques and the applicable equipment and supplies.
• Demonstrated sensitivity and a passion for meeting the needs of the elderly and an ability to interact with residents, families and members of the community.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower residents to actively participate in their physical therapy care plans.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and planning skills including the ability to effectively manage time, responsibilities, and multiple priorities and schedules to meet required deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and manage short and long term plans and projects and deliver organizational focused results.
• Demonstrated ability and comfort with decision making responsibilities, coaching and teaching, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise good judgement and promote harmonious, open, honest and respectful working relationships with the leadership team and interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to communication effectively in English both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate with (both verbally and in writing), and to deal effectively with co-workers, physicians, other health care professionals, residents and their families, and external agencies.
• Ability to operate related equipment including related software applications.
• Physical and mental ability to perform the duties of the position and cope with the job related stresses.

• Responsible for providing professional physiotherapy therapy services to residents within the context of a person centered model of care.
• Coordinates the daily activities to support effective and efficient organizational systems to ensure a high standard of physiotherapy services are provided in compliance with legislative and regulatory acts governing long term care and the care home standards and expectations.
• Acts as a physiotherapy resource to the interdisciplinary team, residents, families and other professionals.
• Conducts physiotherapy assessments utilizing established standards and guidelines of the resident’s physical and functional abilities within the first 2-4 weeks of admission and thereafter quarterly, annually and whenever a referral is received.
• Assessments include assessing resident’s physical status, functional abilities, needs, and goals utilizing an evidence-based approach by methods such as reviewing records, gathering information, interviewing the resident, identifying resident and therapist expectations, selecting and applying evidence-based assessment methods, performing examinations, administering standardized tests and measures, identifying the resident’s desired functional status and quality of life, and monitoring the resident’s health for significant change to ensure improvement in residents functional independence and physical performance.
• Examinations and standardized tests and measures must include, but not limited to, conducting musculoskeletal and neurological exams and functional status to assess safety, ambulation, transfer status and level of independence with the focus on improving the resident’s physical ability to perform activities of daily living.
• Based upon assessments and reassessments, develops, and implements resident physical and functional therapy goals and care plans, utilizing appropriate standards as set by the College of Physical Therapists of British Columbia (CPTBC), and incorporating resident’s physical therapy diagnosis and prognosis and evidence-based and outcome-focuses intervention strategies.
• Evaluates and documents the effectiveness of the care plans and interventions by methods such as conducting ongoing assessment and monitoring of resident responses, evaluating changes in health status, physical and functional performance against pre-determined goals and expected outcomes, and modifying the care plans and intervention strategies to achieve and maintain functional independence and physical performance.
• Consults with the residents and/or family members, the physician, and the interdisciplinary team regarding the resident’s risks and responses to the physical therapy care plans and makes recommendations for changes and physiotherapy supports as required.
• Documents physiotherapy assessments, care plans and resident status / progress in the resident’s electronic chart according to established format, policy, timelines and legal requirements.
• Receives referrals from the interdisciplinary team; gathers information from referral source/resident/other relevant persons, evaluates/screens information, visits residents to identify priority of service and recommends alternative treatment sources as required.
• Completes the physiotherapy sections in the RAI-MDS assessment upon admission, quarterly, annually and when there is a significant change.
• Works in collaboration with the Occupational Therapist to ensure resident’s physical and functional are collectively addressed.
• In collaboration with the Occupational Therapist, provides clinical experience, clinical guidance and direction to the rehabilitation assistant in the treatment of residents, and provides input to the Director on the individual’s progress in achieving established standards of care.
• Communicates with other health care professionals to enhance and provide continuity of care for residents after discharge from hospital.
• Provides input in interdisciplinary care conferences, special family care conferences and family counseling meetings, as required.
• Provides education to residents and their families, as appropriate, to enhance their knowledge about and compliance with interventions to enhance a resident’s physical therapy status.
• In conjunction with the Director, assists in the development and continuous improvement of physiotherapy service policies and procedures, regulatory and professional practice and policy standards, physiotherapy guidelines, and reporting systems in accordance with applicable legislation, regulations and industry and care home standards and expectations. Ensure compliance by care home employees, where appropriate.
• Participates in program and strategic planning for areas of practice by communicating relevant information to the Director.
• Under the direction of the Director, supports the development and facilitation of staff education programs on physical therapy to nursing staff and other departmental staff, as required. Education topics include, but not limited to: safe lifting, range of motion and ergonomic techniques.
• In collaboration with the Director, evaluate physiotherapy services by reviewing resident satisfaction results, incident reports and complaints.
• Implements, evaluates and reports on all physiotherapy performance measures by collecting data and monitoring variances to expected outcomes to ensure compliance with Vancouver Coastal Health’s mandate and the Care Home’s Quality Improvement program. Provides the Director with requested data and trend analysis and makes recommendations based on documented results.
• Actively participate in meetings and education sessions, as requested by the Director.
• Maintain professional expertise by attendance at conferences, seminars, meetings and through internet searches to keep current in knowledge and trends of Healthcare and Long Term Care.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements. Immediately reports unsafe situations by notifying the Director or other appropriate personnel.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director.