Title: Occupational Therapist
Department: Opthalmology
Hours of Work: Temporary Full-Time Position; Days (Approximately 12 months)
Pay Band: $45.07-$54.78
Union: OPSEU4106 Non-Central
Location: Hotel Dieu Hospital Site
DESCRIPTION:
The Occupational Therapist works independently and collaboratively, as part of an interprofessional teams, providing outpatient occupational therapy services to individuals with
low vision, blindness, and other types of vision loss. Service provision includes complex assessments, care planning and implementation, consultation, equipment prescription, system
navigation, and coaching and education to individuals with vision loss and/or their families and other supports (including other healthcare providers). The broader goal of service provision is to
promote adjustment and adaptation to vision loss, functional independence and/or interdependence, as well as equitable access to other healthcare services and the community,
in support of enabling individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes at home and in the community.
The Occupational Therapist will also advise on best practices and ensure that the rehabilitation and assessment services are evidenced based in the fields of low vision/blindness/vision loss
rehabilitation and vision loss self-management. As part of patient care delivery, the Occupational Therapist will work collaboratively with internal staff, external agencies, academic
institutions, and governmental organizations.
Within this role the employee is accountable for contributing to the delivery of the Kingston Health Sciences Centre strategy. As an employee, one must demonstrate an awareness of and
be responsible for actively promoting and supporting patient and family centered engagement and care in all we do.
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Patient Care Responsibilities
- Review referrals for appropriateness and prioritization
- Plan, organize and establish patient care priorities based upon identified needs by the organization, the program and/or the broader service team (internal providers and external partners)
- Conduct assessments and provide consultation and treatment of referred patients in clinic
- Utilize various standardized assessments and screens as appropriate to identify functional issues impacting client safety or independence
- Utilize evidence-based practice and best practice guidelines in the occupational therapy plan of care
- Utilize outcome measures to guide clinical decision-making
- Establish treatment goals and rehabilitation plan in collaboration with the individual with vision loss and their family/supports, and vision loss rehabilitation team members
- Adapt communications to the needs of clients and provide information in alternate formats within interpersonal communication (e.g., description of actions, facial expressions in support of education, consent, and rapport building) and via information provision (e.g., accessible handouts)
- Contribute to the development of discharge plans
- Collaborate with other team members (e.g., ophthalmology and vision loss rehabilitation team members, administrative supports) to adapt assessment, treatment, and other aspects of care to the client’s unique preference and accessibility needs (e.g., physical issues, cognitive/emotional status, neurodiversity, cultural diversity, etc.)
- Participate in interprofessional care planning (i.e., family conferences)
- Identify and refer for issues beyond occupational therapy scope (e.g., referring to the emergency eye clinic for symptoms of an eye health emergency or urgent need for eye care)
- Coordinate services with community/external agencies as it relates to the occupational therapy plan of care
- Collaborate and provide education to non-vision loss rehabilitation service providers and supports where it supports and individual’s equitable access to care / benefit from other healthcare, rehabilitation, and community services
- Provide direction and supervision to occupational therapy assistants, students, and other healthcare providers participating in the occupational therapy plan of care
- Complete documentation according to College and organizational standards
Indirect Care Responsibilities
- Ensure adequate and appropriate equipment, supplies, and technologies (e.g., low vision/blindness apps) are available to meet client care need
- Record accurate statistics of all professional activities in a workload measurement system
- Participate in orientation of new staff and team members
- Participate in program and discipline-specific team meetings
- Participate in program and discipline-specific educational opportunities
- Develop, review, update, implement and evaluate educational material and programs for patients and family members
- Participate in continuous program revision/expansion planning, to improve regional wait times, and patient and program outcomes
- Engage in capacity-building initiatives with local healthcare, educational, and community services across the southeast region, to promote more effective and accessible service provision for clients with low vision, blindness, and vision loss
- Engage in program evaluation activities, including activity monitoring and outcomes measurement as part of team-based quality management
- Share newly acquired knowledge and skills with occupation therapy colleagues and the interprofessional team
- Participate in discipline-specific, program and organizational committees or councils as requested, especially those related to accessibility and inclusion
- Participate in continuous quality improvement and accreditation activities
- Complete all mandatory KHSC Learning Management System education modules
- Engage with and participate in education provided by the occupational therapy program, ophthalmology department, organization, local healthcare system, and external low vision/vision loss rehabilitation occupational therapists and providers, where it supports clinical care or development of the program
- Support Department approved research initiatives through routine patient care
- Perform other duties that may be requested
Professional Responsibilities
- Demonstrate current registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- Adhere to the standards for practice outlined by the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- Maintain a high standard of clinical competence through professional development and quality assurance activities
- Contribute to the preparation of health science students through knowledge translation, practical learning and mentorship.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- New graduate must be eligible for membership with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- Active, unrestricted license to practice with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario.
- Experience in an acute care setting is preferred
- Demonstrated ability to make sound professional decisions in a medically-complex, interprofessional and learning environment
- Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and respectfully
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with a high degree of initiation and motivation
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate with others
- Demonstrated ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks to be effective and efficient
- Demonstrated commitment to evidence-based and best practice
- Proficient with computer applications (i.e. Email, Internet, Excel, workload measurement tool)
- Proven ability to attend work regularly.
- Satisfactory criminal reference check and vulnerable sector search required.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
The incumbent will be required to meet the physical demands as described for the area of work.
We thank all applicants, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Kingston Health Sciences Centre is committed to inclusive and accessible employment practices.
If you require an accommodation to fully participate in the hiring process, please notify the Recruitment Team.
Click here to apply: https://career5.successfactors.eu/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=96269&company=KGH
KHSC is located on the ancestral lands and waters of the Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee and serves a wider geographical area that encompasses many Indigenous communities including Tyendinaga, Katarokwi, as well as communities within the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority. As we partner in care, discovery, and learning to achieve better health outcomes for our communities, KHSC is committed to actively advocating for and acting upon the Truth and Reconciliation Committee’s Calls to Action on Health.