Occupational Therapist - Primary Health Care

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Health Services Manager of Primary Health Care, the Occupational Therapist (OT) provides consultation, assessment, treatment and follow-up in the occupational performance areas of self-care, productivity and leisure with patients and families of Collaborative Family Practices in the Middleton Community Cluster. The objectives of treatment are to facilitate, restore and/or maintain clients’ optimal level of function. The Occupational Therapist provides intervention to address clients’ occupational performance components (physical, cognitive and affective) using an evidence based approach to plan, implement, and evaluate goal-directed services that contribute to the development of a care plan. The OT partners with and complements other members of the collaborative family practice team for the achievement of person and family-centred care. The OT will collaborate and liaise with the health care team to support continuity and coordination of care and enhanced access to programs, services and community resources. The OT will act on the social determinants of health and will provide chronic disease prevention and management, health promotion, self-management supports.

The primary care team works together to develop and deliver services to the entire population in the community cluster, including outreach to remote areas and services to meet the needs of priority populations. This position requires work at multiple sites with travel between various community locations throughout the area.

The OT adheres to the COTNS Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics and is responsible and accountable at all times for their own practice consistent with relevant legislation, professional and ethical standards. The OT is accountable to identify, analyze and evaluate activities that are reflective of quality improvement initiatives.

The OT ensures that the principles and practices that guide Nova Scotia Health (NSH) such as the vision, mission, values, expected behaviors, the leadership philosophy, organizational health, population health, ethics, safety, quality, partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration are integrated within the support that is provided by the work that they do and through the messages they deliver.

Qualifications

• Graduate of a C.A.O.T recognized School of Occupational Therapy
• Must be licensed with College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia (COTNS)
• BLS-C (HCP) Certification
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Programs, including Outlook
• Experience with ability to organize and maintain client health records within an EMR including continuous learning around EMR functionalities considered an asset
• Demonstrated experience working with people living with persistent pain
• Demonstrated ability with self-management support and behaviour change counselling
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills in team based practice
• Demonstrated ability to communicate occupational therapy role in primary care
• Experience with functional assessment and intervention for a broad range of health conditions as seen in primary care
• Demonstrated commitment to cultural safety in practice, the Nova Scotia Health Diversity Framework and the TRC Calls to Action
• Evidence of trauma informed practice
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills within scope of practice including clinical judgment and problem solving skills and the ability to integrate and evaluate pertinent data (from multiple sources) to problem-solve effectively
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and strong ethical standards and a commitment to professional development and life-long learning and ability to promote client-focused care that demonstrates care for and with clients and significant others, sensitive to diverse cultures and preferences, client advocacy and social justice concerns
• Strong understanding of health promotion, population health, and the determinants of health theory and practice

Qualifications

• Ability to transmit information grounded in behavior change and principals of self-management intended to instruct clients and others about topics essential to health care and well-being and demonstrated ability in applying new and innovative technologies and strategies for education and patient counselling
• Ability to manage time and resources, implementing activities to promote cooperation among relevant others, collaboration across disciplines and related activities
• Ability to promote staff morale, cooperation, assertiveness and risk-taking, creative planning for change and innovations, implementation of NSHA policies or other protocols, and ongoing professional development of self
• Ability to use factual information, prior learning and basic principles and procedures to support decisions and actions with relevant research-based evidence and integrate best practice from health-related disciplines and the humanities, arts and sciences disciplines into professional practice along with commitment to continuous learning for self, interprofessional team and supportive of interprofessional health discipline students through formal/informal mentoring opportunities
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle required for home/community visits
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French and Mi’kmaw preferred

PLEASE NOTE: Applicants will be screened on the above qualifications. Applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the knowledge and competencies in their cover letter and resume. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application. Applicants will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or missing information.

Hours of Work

Long Assignment, Part-time (20%) position; 15 hours bi-weekly

Beginning April 25, 2022 with a duration of May 1, 2023

Dates are approximate and subject to change

Salary Information

$32.82 - $41.44 hourly