Occupational Therapist

Under the direction of the Director of Care, the Occupational Therapist (OT) is responsible for organizing and implementing rehabilitation programs for residents of St. Michael’s Centre (SMC); and to meet the needs of the residents in accordance with the philosophies and objectives of SMC’s Therapies Department.

DUTIES:

• Organizes and carries out appropriate therapeutic interventions for residents.
• Knowledge and understanding of the gerontology, the aging process and Long Term Care is required.
• Provides required in-service education for staff and residents, within his/her therapeutic scope and professional knowledge, such as lift and transfers, safe use of wheelchairs/power chairs, and best practice(s) related to bed positioning to reduce pressure sores.
• Supervises and directs the team of Rehab. Assistants.
• Communicates relevant information to the Director of Care and staff in a manner that supports the safe and effective care of residents.
• Provides in-service education for staff and residents in areas of professional knowledge
• Maintains required statistics and records as required to track resident progress.
• Participates in facility Resident Care Conferences.
• Develops and maintains working relations with external agencies such as wheelchair suppliers, vendors, etc.
• Provides direction to practicum students and volunteers when required
• Performs other duties as required.

SKILLS & ABILITIES:

· Ability to provide initial and ongoing functional, cognitive and perceptual assessments of residents including transfers, swallowing and wheelchair mobility and seating.

• Ability to relate appropriately and effectively to Long Term Care residents and their families, staff and volunteers. Documents assessments on resident chart.
• Ability to organize workload independently and work with minimum supervision.
• Ability to develop and facilitate ongoing rehabilitation procedures for residents that may be implemented by other staff members such as care plans, equipment provision and training.
• Ability to work effectively with other members of the interdisciplinary team and communicate relevant information to assist with ongoing resident care.
• Ability to plan and implement rehabilitation programs for long term care residents.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both written and verbal. .
• Effective leadership abilities, including conflict resolution, and the ability to help guide individuals to act wisely and thoughtfully.

EDUCATION:

• Graduate from a recognized program in Physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy.

• Current registered membership with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists, and the BC College of Occupational Therapists or Physiotherapists Association of British Columbia.