Occupational Therapist, Acute Mental Health, Royal Columbian Hospital (casual)

Fraser Health continues to be recognized as one of BC's Top Employers, are you someone who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others?

Fraser Health is responsible for the delivery of hospital and community-based health services to over 1.9 million people in 20 diverse communities from Burnaby to Fraser Canyon on the traditional territories of the Coast Salish and Nlaka’pamux Nations. Our team of 43,000 staff, medical staff and volunteers is dedicated to serving our patients, families and communities to deliver on our vision: Better health, best in health care.

Effective October 26th, 2021, all new hires to Fraser Health will need to have full COVID 19 vaccination (have received a full series of a World Health Organization “WHO” approved vaccine against infection by SARS-COV-2, or a combination of approved WHO vaccines). Please note this applies to all postings, and individual medical exemptions must be approved by the Provincial Health Officer.

In acute MHSU practice, the priority is to ensure the patient has the appropriate mental health status, supports, and skills for a safe discharge and smooth transition back to the community. This position will include a significant role in assessing the patient's function and making recommendations to match their support needs.

You will have the opportunity to introduce patients to a variety of life skills and self-management skills, such as grocery shopping strategies, sensory interventions, wellness planning, routine building, and community leisure opportunities.

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Come work with dedicated health care providers who are enthusiastic and committed to provide quality healthcare to our clients/patients/residents. We invite you to find out why more than 95% of new employees recommend Fraser Health as an excellent place to work. Work hard and have fun while you do it.

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Provides occupational therapy services in accordance with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC) standards of practice, Fraser Health mission, values and occupational therapy care standard, and in collaboration and partnership with the interprofessional care team in the provision of patient and family centered care. Provides expertise based on current theories, concepts and principles of evidence-based practice and client-centered care; develops, implements, revises and evaluates treatment plans based on learning needs of patient /caregiver and/or staff, patient outcomes, theory and research; ensures clinical objectives are met through participation in the development of standards, procedures and protocols; participates in the development of quality improvement and risk management activities as well as research and special projects.

1. Provides occupational therapy assessment, consultation and interventions for patients to maximize physical function and promote independence and safety; determines the appropriate use of recognized occupational therapy assessment tools (e.g. neurobehavioral cognitive exams, ADL/IADL assessment, swallowing/dysphasia assessment) and conducts appropriate assessments; prescribes and recommends specialized and adaptive aids and equipment to patients for activities of daily living.
2. Collaborates with colleagues, client and caregivers to develop individual treatment goals, utilizing the self-management model of living with chronic illness; provides treatment and/or teaching to clients and caregivers in order to restore, develop or maintain functional status; identifies the resources required for treatment, including tests, materials, equipment and funding and initiates requests for external funding as required; provides verbal and written reports to the interdisciplinary team regarding progress towards care plan goals.
3. Provides clinical expertise, consultation and leadership in evidence-based practice to staff and patients by consulting with experts, collaborating with members of interdisciplinary teams, evaluating clinical practice and recommending changes to existing standards; provides education on interventions and resources that assist the client to groups such as Community Health Workers for the purpose of promoting safety in the home (when applicable) and modification to environmental barriers.
4. Attends patient care conferences and family meetings and presents information related to occupational therapy assessments; recommends related interventions and participates in the development of the patient care plan.
5. Conducts clinical assessments of each patient's work, school, social and leisure, and activities of daily living abilities in collaboration with other members of the interdisciplinary team.
6. Assist patients to acquire, develop and enhance work, school, leisure and recreational skills, that will improve their quality of life.
7. Develops, implements and evaluates individual and/or group activity programs or other programs to meet patients' recovery goals.
8. Records, maintains and updates patient/resident/client records such as assessments, interventions and statistical data in accordance with departmental and hospital policies.
9. Demonstrates, patient occupational therapy interventions to designated staff and students in accordance with established guidelines.
10. Provides input to the Program Coordinator and Clinical Chief regarding the development, revision, implementation and evaluation of occupational therapy practices, policies and procedures, audits and continuous quality improvement activities.
11. Participates in orientation and in-service training of staff, students, and volunteers on such topics as mechanical lifts, positioning and back care.
12. Identifies and makes recommendations to the team and family supports, regarding procedures, purchase, general maintenance and repair of equipment.
13. Participates in product and equipment trials and reports observations under the direction of the Coordinator and Clinical chief in accordance with established procedures.
14. Observes, identifies, assesses, and assists with managing potential emergency situations involving patients and develops short term strategies to deal with such situations.
15. Identifies clinical research projects and under the direction of the Program Coordinator and Clinical Chief, participates in the development, implementation and evaluation of same.
16. Performs other related tasks as required.

Education and Experience

Graduation from an approved school of Occupational Therapy. Two (2) years recent related clinical experience working with mental health clients in an acute or community mental health setting. Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of BC (COTBC). Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) or the British Columbia Society of Occupational Therapists (BCSOT).

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to provide comprehensive assessment for clients who are living with a mental illness.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current developments and trends in occupational therapy.
• Knowledge of Psychiatric disorders, medications and side effects.
• Working knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery principles
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to operate related equipment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as required in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to organize work.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.