Occupational Therapist

Do you want to work for a health care organization that changes people's lives? One that not only cares deeply about clients, but also values that its employees are its greatest asset?

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada is a unique health services organization that serves people who are blind or partially sighted across the country. Our certified specialists provide training that empowers clients to develop or to restore activities of daily living skills, to promote their independence, to enhance safety and mobility. We collaborate closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other health care professionals, by providing essential care on a referral basis in homes, workplaces, and communities across the country.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, flexible schedules, and opportunities for professional development and growth.

For more information about Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, please visit visionlossrehab.ca or call 1-844-887-8572​.

Position Title: Occupational Therapist

Location: Fredericton or Moncton, NB

Term: Full-time, Permanent

Reports To: Provincial Manager, Healthcare Operations

Date: February 27, 2025

I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

Utilize specialist knowledge and skills to provide assessment; training and intervention strategies; recommendations; reports to clients, careers and their families.  Vision Loss Rehabilitation services are based upon a person–centred approach provided to clients, their families and careers within OT scope of practice and relative to proven vision related competencies. 

II. Essential Functions

This position provides functional expertise for the comprehensive multi-faceted service and operations program. The successful candidate will:

• Assess the client's capacity to independently participate in activities of daily living (self-care), and instrumental activities of daily living in a variety of settings: private homes, senior's residence, long term care facilities, group homes, and performs an analysis based on objective, subjective and functional findings.
• Provide both individual and group OT training/intervention programs to achieve maximum independence and participation in activities appropriate to the client's needs and capabilities.
• Assess, plan and coordinate environmental and/or task modifications according to client's needs.
• Establishes realistic, measurable and time limited goals and develops a rehabilitation plan.
• Provides direct programming and/or support and teaching to informal caregivers, and other health care professionals involved.
• Participates in case conferences when required and consults with other members of the health care team in fostering a holistic approach to care.
• Completes reassessments to review client's progress, goals and reports to other members of the health care team in order to ensure continuity of care and determine if other resources and referrals are required.
• Provide support and consultation to individuals regarding adjustment to vision loss in an individual or group basis.
• Provides consultation, public education, and in-service training as required.
• Completes assessments and recommendations for adaptation aids, assistive devices and equipment necessary to achieve client goals.
• Completes documentation and maintains appropriate client records in accordance with the standards of the College of Occupational Therapists within a specified jurisdiction and VLRC policies and procedures.
• Provide/advise on low-vision techniques and strategies to improve their occupational performance on daily activities and improve quality of life.
• Reinforces, monitors, or teaches adaptive skills for independent living in areas of personal management, household management, communication, leisure activities, travel skills, and technology.
• Reinforces, monitors, or teaches concept development, spatial and sensory awareness, mobility aids and environmental assessments.
• Acts as a resource in matters related to accessible design and the built environment. 
• Acts as a resource for service providers, school personnel, long term care facilities and community by providing educational programs as requested.
• Attends and participates actively in occupational therapy team meetings as appropriate and general staff meetings.
• Assumes responsibility for maintaining professional knowledge current and skills up to date.
• Prioritizes services in accordance with the VLRC Waiting List Management Policy.

General Responsibilities:

Relationships

·       Interacts with clients, their family, and caregivers to develop and identify vision related goals and develop early intervention and rehabilitation programs, and support families to follow through on recommendations.

·       Builds and maintains good working relationships with professionals in other agencies and community groups.

·       Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings.

·       Advocates on the client's behalf in healthcare settings etc. when possible.

·       Instructs and supervises students (and Occupational Therapy Assistants where applicable) to work with clients.

Problem Solving

·       Position utilizes problem solving abilities related to implementing and developing intervention and therapy as part of the client's vision rehabilitation plan.

·       Problem solving involved in adapting services, materials, and equipment to address the needs of individuals with complex health conditions.

·       Sensitivity and awareness of cultural, religious, mental health needs and/or emotional support.

Decision Autonomy

·       Decision making based on training and experience collaborating with individuals with visual impairments, and individual assessment and reassessment, to develop an appropriate service plan.

·       Judgment is utilized for making decisions about method, schedule, and type of assessment and programming required.

·       This position is itinerant, requiring frequent visits to homes, workplaces, and community settings.

Leadership

·       Provides leadership and guidance when training and supervising rehabilitation assistants, students, and community.

·       Takes initiative to develop/implement the most appropriate intervention for client and in maintaining current knowledge associated with people with vision loss.

Requirements

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

·       Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy and current certificate of registration with the College of Occupational Therapists within a specified jurisdiction.

·       Related professional experience which would normally be attained over a period of two years in an Occupational Therapy role.

·       Related experience in a community-based setting is an asset.

·       Previous Stroke Rehab experience is preferred.

·       Experience supervising support personnel an asset.

·       Ability to utilize computer and software programs.

·       Excellent facilitation skills both in groups and individual situations.

·       Good organization and time management skills.

·       Knowledge of English and French is required

Experience and Education:

·       Master of Occupational Therapy Degree.

·       Current practicing member of the designated provincial Occupational Therapy regulatory body.

·       Willingness to undertake professional development in vision rehabilitation skills and techniques.

Work Environment:

·       Willingness to work flexible hours.

·       Willingness to work in a variety of settings (in client home, outdoors, daycare, etc.).

·       Travel is required, must possess a valid driver's license.

Benefits

Apply Now

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to janice.rego@vlrehab.ca   

Be sure to include a resume, cover letter, and mention how you heard about this opportunity.

VLRC is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive workplace and we are committed to a fair, transparent, and accessible recruitment process. We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, people who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset.

VLRC is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Vulnerable Sector Check.

Not sure if you qualify? Think about applying anyway
We understand that not everyone brings 100% of the skills and experience for the role. If you possess similar experience to what we've listed above, we encourage you to apply. We believe that diverse experience, transferable skills, and passion are key

We thank all applicants for their interest in VLRC, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Closing Date for Applications: April 6, 2025