Community Occupational Therapist, Enhanced Care Program

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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 nearly 45,000 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.

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Abiding by Fraser Health policies and procedures and as a member of the interdisciplinary team, provides direct and indirect specialized occupational therapy services to clients using recognized occupational therapy tools and techniques. Services include client assessment, planning, group and individual interventions, and transition planning; consultation with and education for other professionals, contracted agencies and natural supports. The Occupational Therapist engages with individual clients and support systems as full collaborators in service planning, delivery, and evaluation; develops partnerships with community agencies to encourage client participation; focuses on occupational performance (person-occupation-environment), physical function from a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) perspective for the program clients; provides input into the evaluation of process and outcomes to ensure quality of services; participates in joint planning with team members for overall service delivery to clients, and works collaboratively with care staff, agencies, and community service providers. Provides client and family-centered care through an Indigenous cultural safety lens, trauma-informed, harm reduction approach and evidence-informed practice. Ensures that individuals with living/lived experience and their family members are supported in navigating the health care system. Establishes a welcoming therapeutic environment and promotes client self-determination and independence.

This position may be required to work at more than one location within an assigned geographical area.

1. As a clinician in a shared-team model, supports referred client’s general case management such as through intake; screening; assessment of functional capacity such as activities of daily living and/or instrumental activities of daily living, occupational profile, cognition, skills, limitations, support needs and goals; and service recommendations and plans to provide occupational therapy services that promote functional independence and occupational performance.
2. Reviews relevant clinical information and discusses the referral with the team including the client, the care team, and agencies involved by interviewing the client, significant others, and other professionals and services to determine the appropriate use of assessment tools. Conducts home assessments/community visits as required and/or as assigned. Identifies environmental barriers in the home and makes recommendations for modifications to ensure access for clients with disabilities.
3. Analyses and reviews assessment results with the client to determine a course of action, and provides verbal and written assessment reports to the care team and other relevant partners such as housing support staff.
4. Assists client and agency to determine the best method of achieving the desired results; supports client orientation to the service, and provides ongoing support and advice to both client and agency. Where necessary, refers clients to other services including links to Indigenous cultural supports or services as appropriate. Collaborates with community agencies and ensures a coordinated approach to service provision and effective use of resources.
5. Provides individual and group treatment with selected clients of the program by collaborating with inter-professional care team members to determine recovery priorities and goals, and providing group leadership/co-leadership to meet psycho-education, skill development, and other needs.
6. Prescribes and recommends specialized and adaptive aids and equipment to clients for activities of daily living; educates clients and staff through individual and/or group sessions on independent living skills and occupational performance, use of environmental and equipment adaptations, body mechanics, lifts and transfers; develops resource materials as required.
7.  Assists in the provision of education regarding rehabilitation and recovery to the program staff. Identifies education needs and/or provides education to service providers, and assists in the development of training workshops to meet their identified needs.
8. Applies psychosocial rehabilitation approach with the program clients/consumers to facilitate clients’ effective participation in psychosocial rehabilitation, education, employment, and leisure programs, and provides information to assist the care team in facilitating the client’s effective rehabilitation. Coordinates rehabilitation resources and potential funding sources.
9. Supports overall service delivery of the program through joint planning, responding to team priorities, and providing verbal and written reports regarding progress towards program goals to the team coordinator.
10. Participates in quality improvement and risk management activities by assisting with the development, evaluation and monitoring of policies, procedures and standards related to occupational therapy; generating alternative appropriate approaches, as requested. Provides input regarding program budgets and/or purchases as requested.
11. Represents their program, service area, or profession on Fraser Health and local committees on the development of policy, program planning and standards. Identifies current best practice service delivery models.
12. In consultation with the Coordinator and Manager, reviews the services of contracted rehabilitation programs by identifying strengths and areas which need improvement, strengthening existing partnerships and if necessary recommends corrective action, and developing new partnerships to provide rehabilitative services.
13. Maintains knowledge in current developments in evidence-based occupational therapy and practice by reviewing relevant literature, consulting with other health care professionals and attending relevant educational programs and/or community of practices.
14. Supervises as preceptor to occupational therapy students as required.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training, and Experience:
Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC). Two (2) years' recent related experience working in a community setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Valid B.C. Class V Driver’s License and access to a personal vehicle for business purposes.

Skills and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of current developments in occupational therapy, psychiatric rehabilitation, psychosocial approaches, and recovery practices.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the major categories of mental illness and their appropriate rehabilitation treatments.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation.
• Demonstrated ability to use activity analysis to assess occupational performance and modify the activity, environment, or supports to enable occupation.
• Ability to utilize outcome measurement tools.
• Demonstrated leadership and presentation skills.
• Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a community team setting, as well as independently.
• 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 plan, organize, and prioritize work.
• Ability to problem-solve and exercise sound clinical reasoning.
• Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications.
• Demonstrated ability to provide services through a cultural safety and humility lens.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.