Occupational Therapist

Job Summary
Student Health Service offers students at the UBC (Vancouver) campus a wide range of health services provided by a multidisciplinary team (family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, specialist physicians). The ideal Occupational Therapist (OT) candidate works independently and collaboratively to provide early intervention or subsequent self-management support to students who have sustained a recent mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). The OT may also support students dealing with other chronic health conditions that might affect their functioning, such as mental health conditions or central sensitization syndromes (e.g. CFS/ME, fibromyalgia). The OT conducts assessments, identifies needs for resources, provides education and self-management tools, and liaises with appropriate community resources. The OT enacts a commitment to anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusionary practices throughout their care for students.

Organizational Status

• Reporting to the Associate Director, Collaborative Practice, the OT is responsible for working independently but also as part of a collaborative team that provides a full range of primary care and health services and programs.
• Actively participates in the development of high quality, student-centered Student Health services and programs.
• Consults, confers, refers and collaborates both on campus with other university departments (staff, faculty and students), and also, off campus with health care and social service providers.
• SHS is under the Vice President, Students (VPS) portfolio and may need to liaise with other members of staff and leaders in VPS.

Work Performed

Clinical Practice

• Assesses the current symptoms, mood, and function of students after a mild traumatic brain injury and provides education to students on what to expect, and strategies on how to manage symptoms and gradually return to activities, including exercise for those clients experiencing significant symptoms who are at risk of a prolonged recovery or delayed return to school or work. Assists students in goal setting and following through.
• Prepares and maintains clinical documentation of assessment, intervention, recommendations and follow-up. Provides written documentation for primary health care providers to ensure continuity of care. Collaborates with the SHS concussion physician, primary care providers, registered nurses, psychologists and/or psychiatrists to help provide appropriate services for students.
• Screens for clients at risk of symptom prolongation or complicated recovery. Uses advanced clinical reasoning to identify urgent and emergent medical issues and follow up as required with primary care provider, psychiatry, SHS concussion physician, VCH Access and Assessment Center (AAC), and/or the emergency department.
• Liaises with the SHS concussion physician, primary care providers, and/or psychiatrists in regard to complex medical and rehab management of persisting and escalating symptoms (e.g. mood, sleep and pain) as appropriate.
• Maintains a collaborative working relationship with other SHS providers to enhance service delivery, clinical practice and continuity of care.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with health and safety requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Health Promotion and Professional Development

• Designs, plans and delivers education and health promotion sessions for students, including in group settings. Actively contributes to quality improvement, peer professional development and research activities collaboratively with SHS colleagues and staff across Student Health and Wellbeing.
• Maintains, updates and shares with colleagues and learners, their knowledge on best practice by methods such as reviewing literature, consulting with clinical and community specialists, participating in related journal clubs and attending conferences, as appropriate.
• Sets measurable goals and objectives consistent with UBC Student Health and Wellbeing's Purpose and Commitments and the VP Students' Strategic Plan, incorporating SHW's vision and values, goals and corporate plan by methods such as maintaining and updating own knowledge of clinical and professional development in the area of practice, and developing a plan in collaboration with designated management for professional development; reviews progress to ensure that goals are achieved within established time frames.
• Demonstrates flexibility in adjusting practice, within scope of practice and personal competence, to complement and fill gaps in interdisciplinary team practice competence as consistent with Team Based, Interdisciplinary Care practice models and shares with colleagues

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Must be able to act with a considerable degree of autonomy and independence in the development and provision of Occupational Therapy practice, services and programs for students, while adhering to the practice, professional and ethical standards of the profession. Poor professional judgement or unethical practice could be extremely detrimental to client/student well-being and create situations of legal liability for the University.

The position has access to sensitive and confidential information, the untimely or inappropriate release of which could cause acute embarrassment to the University, as well as litigation. Incorrect decisions/judgement will directly affect UBC's reputation with the employer, health authorities, community and faculty, staff, alumni, and students.

Supervision Received
Reports to the Associate Director, Collaborative Practice. Works independently and interdependently within clinical and ethical guidelines and a model of collegial consultation and collaboration. Informs Associate Director of important issues related to the medical services of the SHS clinics.

Supervision Given
Provides appropriate supervision to senior UBC Occupational Therapy students rotating through the clinic, as UBC Faculty of Medicine clinical faculty. Provides guidance and support to all learners at SHS. May provide regulatory supervision for BSN students, when doing activities within OT scope of practice.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in occupational therapy. Registration with College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia. Minimum of five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC)
• Three years' recent and related experience applicable to brain injury rehabilitation or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Additional course work and experience with mild traumatic brain injury (concussion), chronic conditions (eg CFS/ME, fibromyalgia) and mental health diagnoses is an asset.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
• Knowledge of Occupational Therapy theory and practice within a client and family-centered model of care.
• Broad knowledge of the COTBC standards of practice and guidelines for clinical practitioners.
• Comprehensive knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice within community rehabilitation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of acquired brain Injuries and rehabilitation processes current trends and practice.
• Broad knowledge of mental health issues and resources.
• Broad knowledge of self-management practices and resources
• Competence with practice approaches appropriate to patients in growth and developmental stages reflected in the UBC student population (youth to older adult).
• Demonstrated ability to aid clients in effective goal-setting and plan return to school, play or work strategies
• Broad knowledge of the impact of health determinants in quality of life and health issues.
• Broad knowledge of community resources.
• Broad knowledge of other healthcare disciplines and their role in client care.
• Broad knowledge of organization policies, procedures, and standards of care.
• Demonstrated knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with co-workers, physicians, other health care staff, clients and their families, both one-on-one and in groups.
• Demonstrated effective leadership abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required.
• 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.
• Ability to operate related equipment including computer literacy with word- processing, spreadsheet and database skills.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

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