Occupational Therapist, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)

Under direction of the Client Care Coordinator the Occupational Therapist works as a member of the interdisciplinary team to provide direct and indirect rehabilitation services including assessment, intervention, consultation, education and support services related to occupational performance (person-occupation-environment) from a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) perspective for adults with a serious and persistent mental illness receiving Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services. The Occupational Therapist is expected to engage the individual client and his/her support systems as people with full competence and as full collaborators in service planning, delivery and evaluation.

1. Using recognized occupational therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation tools, screens and assesses the client/resident's functional capacity, occupational performance status, and environmental supports.
   
2. Develops, implements, evaluates and documents client's individualized rehabilitation plan in collaboration with the client, their support systems and interdisciplinary team members.
   
3. Provides direct individual and group intervention to support clients to achieve individual goals.
   
4. Provides consultation, referral, and linking support to facilitate the client's effective entry and participation in life skills, education, employment, and leisure programs; assists the client to determine the best way of achieving the desired results; liaises with community-based agencies to ensure support for clients.
   
5. Providing information to assist members of the ACT team to facilitate the client's effective rehabilitation, including interpreting the scope and purpose of psychosocial rehabilitation for mental health centre clients and maintaining regular contact with community and rehabilitation services to advise the team of resources.
   
6. Participates in interdisciplinary activities such as client conferences and team meetings.
   
7. Acts as a consultant / resource to services in the community who provide rehabilitation services for ACT team clients to support the delivery of effective rehabilitation services.
   
8. Participates in joint planning with team members, clients/residents, other service providers and families, to facilitate overall service delivery by identifying service needs and determining evidence-based service delivery models within available resources.
   
9. Provides verbal and written reports regarding progress towards program goals to the team coordinator; provides statistical reports, processes quarterly reports and other related materials.
   
10. Assists the Coordinator with program monitoring and evaluation; on an ongoing basis reviews programs to identify strengths and recommendations for improvements.
    
11. Identifies and provides in-service education to service providers and assists in the development of training workshops to meet identified training needs related to rehabilitation.
    
12. Participates in student education by providing guidance and supervision to occupational therapy students, rehabilitation assistant students and/or work experience students.
    
13. Participates as a mental health centre/team representative on Fraser Health and local committees as required.
    
14. Performs other related duties as required.

Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited University. Two years' recent experience working with psychiatric clients in an acute or community psychiatric setting. Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC). Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists - British Columbia (CAOT - BC).
Valid B.C. Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for business use.

Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of current psychiatric (psychosocial) rehabilitation and recovery practices.
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of the major categories of mental illness and their appropriate treatments.
  
• Knowledge of relevant legislation.
  
• Demonstrated ability to utilize the analysis and application of activities related to occupational performance.
  
• Ability to utilize outcome measurement tools.
  
• Demonstrated leadership and presentation skills.
  
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team environment in a community setting.
  
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients, families and other members of the health care team and community agencies.
  
• Ability to work effectively with others as well as independently.
  
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.
  
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
  
• Ability to problem-solve and exercise sound judgment in professional practice.
  
• Ability to operate related equipment.