Occupational Therapy Assistant

**Occupational Therapist Assistant / Physiotherapist Assistant**

**Number of Openings**:

- 2

**Division**:

- Community Support Services

**Full/Part Time/Casual**:

- Full-time

**Program**:

- Transitional Care Beds

**Regular/Temporary**:

- Regular

**Location**:

- Hamilton

**Union**:

- Non-union

**Hours of Work**:

- Days **8 am-4 pm / 9 am-5 pm**:

- Flexible
- Average 75 hours bi-weekly

**Posting Date**:

- February 25, 2025

**Closing Date**:

- Until Filled

**Wages**:

- Dependent on Experience

**French Language Skill Requirement**:

- N/A

**This posting is for a current vacancy.**

***:

- The Physio/Occupational Therapy Assistant - T-Beds Program (PTOTA-TBED) assists clients with existing physical conditions through standard scope of practice activities, and as directed by the Orders of a Physiotherapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT). The PTOTA-TBED help their clients reach maximum functional capabilities, maintain these capabilities, and prevent future injury. This role follows the Orders of a customized rehabilitation program for individual clients within the program, educates and monitors clients, and communicates clients progress clearly to others. The PTOTA-TBED performs manual physio/occupational therapy and therapeutic massage actions as directed by a PT or OT, utilizes basic physiotherapy equipment, and reports any changes to the PT or OT.

This role supports the Supervisor and Clinical Nurse Manager in the efficient and effective operations of the program activities, as well as ensuring the safety and health of clients through infection control, on-going communications, education and monitoring activities.

Transitional Bed clients are typically individuals who have been discharged from hospital but who are unable to return to their pre-hospital living arrangements. These clients are in process of having long term care needs assessed, are medically stable, can be of any adult age group, and may require mechanical or 2-person lifts. Clients may have longer stays and require Care Plans.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
**Clinical**
- Assisting in the performance of client treatment plans, as prescribed and directed by a Registered Physio or Occupational Therapist
- Delivering safe and therapeutic beneficial exercises, either with an individual or a group
- Educating and communicating with clients regarding their progress, therapy plans, exercises and/or mobility aids
- Working with various mobility equipment such as braces, supportive devices, wheelchairs etc.
- Providing person-centered support to address physical, emotional and self-care needs as assigned
- Actively promoting goal-oriented progress through prescribed treatment plan
- Maintaining a positive and motivating atmosphere for clients
- Assisting in facilitating access to various community, social and health care services required to support our clients
- Setting up and preparing therapy equipment
- May perform Delegated Tasks as required and allowed within scope of practice
- May supervise activities of OTA/PTA students on occasion
- May facilitate information sessions for clients and/or visitors

**Safety**
- Practicing proper infection control protocols with clients and with equipment (e.g. hand hygiene)
- Monitoring therapy areas, equipment and mobility devices for defects, reporting safety concerns to supervisor in a timely manner
- Daily maintenance and cleaning of therapy equipment and treatment areas
- Working effectively with other staff in maintaining laundry activities
- Actively promotes client safety and education about safe practices
- Participating in program safety protocols (e.g. fire drills) and work groups (e.g. H&S Committees)
- Engaging in continuous improvement initiatives

**Administration**
- Working with Supervisor and/or Purchasing in ordering of required supplies
- Recording treatment activities in client charts, maintaining on-going communications with PT/OT and other interdisciplinary program staff
- Developing and presenting reports and/or metrics as requested
- Supporting clients in setting up therapy appointments and/or in attending group activities
- Supporting referral/intake processes of the program
- Providing general assistants to program Supervisor and Clinical Nurse Managers
- Performing general administrative duties related to the role

**CORE COMPENTENCIES**
- Regularly demonstrates our mission, vision and values:

- Support compassionate care, faith and diversity
- Deliver quality care, pursue and share knowledge, respect diversity, remain faithful
- Commit to working everyday with dignity, respect, service, justice, responsibility and enquiry
- Ability to work collaboratively with others; sharing expertise and drawing on the expertise of others
- Actively promotes a healthy, supportive and inclusive work environment
- Proactively contributes to initiatives, supporting and encouraging positive change
- Ability to engage in effective problem solving, possess logic and analytical th