Occupational Therapist

UNIT PROFILE:
The Injured Workers' Mental Health Specialty Clinic is an outpatient program dedicated to providing clinical service, education, and research in intersection between mental health problems and returning to work. Individuals who have not responded to treatment in the community are referred to this clinic for multidisciplinary care, including assessment and treatment.

POSITION SUMMARY:
The role of the Occupational Therapist is to plan, implement, and evaluate client-centered occupational therapy services consistent with the mission and values of St. Joseph's Healthcare. The Occupational Therapist assesses and diagnoses physical, emotional, social and cognitive capacity and performance, occupational demands and environmental factors and interventions to enable participation in activities of everyday life to promote and optimize health and well-being of clients consistent with the scope of practice of occupational therapy. Key functions of the Occupational Therapist encompass clinical, professional and non-clinical activities as outlined in the Profile of Occupational Therapists in Canada that are shaped by their program needs and client population

QUALIFICATIONS:
-Bachelors of Occupational Therapy from an accredited University is required, Masters of Occupational from an accredited University preferred.
-Registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario required.
-Membership in the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists and/or membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
-One year recent related clinical experience with specific client population and clinical setting preferred.
-Successfully completed training in psychotherapy and has experience utilizing psychotherapy techniques.
-Demonstrated commitment to the values of Service, Responsible Stewardship, Community Responsiveness and Respect.
-Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with the various populations served.
-Demonstrated knowledge, sensitivity in the care of injured worker, their families and WSIB.
-Gentle Persuasive Approach training is preferred.
-Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
-Able to work under pressure, prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
-Proven ability to work as an effective member of an inter-professional team with exceptional interpersonal, advocacy, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
-Adaptable, creative, innovative and flexible.
-Willingness and ability to continue to improve professional competence and knowledge.
-Exceptional analytical thinking and creative problem solving skills.
-Proficient computer skills for report writing, assessments, word processing, workload measurement and access to information, etc.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages caseload in the areas of assignment by acknowledging and consulting regarding the need for occupational therapy involvement and seeks out referrals to ensure comprehensive client care.

Screens referrals by gathering preliminary information from the referral itself, the health record and the team of care providers and using the gathered information to determine if the client requires Occupational Therapy services and if so, determine the client's level of priority based on the discipline priority process.

Completes an appropriate depth of occupational therapy assessment as required by COTO Assessment Standards by reviewing the client acuity, client goals, and care requirements based on best practice protocols or care paths and discharge date.

Analyzes the data to determine the client's strengths and weaknesses and occupational performance issues and develops the occupational therapy client-centred plan of care that is congruent with client and family goals, best practice protocols or care paths and the practice setting.

Determines and completes treatment interventions that are consistent with the practice setting, the discipline priorities, congruent with evidence-based practice and clinical experience, and the caseload demands.

Completes necessary therapeutic interventions.

Advocates for the client with appropriate consent with community agencies, funding agencies, school boards, colleges and universities and workplaces to facilitate meeting client's goals.

Re-evaluates, monitors and adjusts the client-centred plan of care based on the up-to-date analysis of the data and attainment of client goals.

Completes accurate workload statistics within expected timelines and ensures work activity is in alignment with the current benchmarking activities of the organization.

Documents all elements of the clinical process in the health record adhering to COTO, facility and discipline standards.

Completes other program data collection to support WSIB requirements.

Contributes to the process of discharge planning which could include communicating assessment results, providing, providing recommendations re: level of care need, restrictions, safety, the interventions provided, the coordination of services, the completion of the referral and the communication process with involved care providers.

Communicates with all relevant care providers within the circle of care to ensure integration of care plans and enhanced quality coordinated client care. Collaborates, negotiates, manages role overlap and support of inter-professional team to ensure comprehensive client care.