Rehabilitation Assistant | Communication Assistance For Youth and Adults

Penticton Regional Hospital’s Communication Assistance for Youth and Adults (CAYA) Program has a permanent, full time Rehabilitation Assistant (RA) opening.

In this position the CAYA Rehabilitation Assistant works in the field of Augmentative/Alternative Communication (AAC). CAYA ensures that adults with severe communication disabilities can maintain a vital link to the world through independent communication. CAYA offers communication tools and support to enable individuals to create and maintain an adult life to the best of their abilities. The CAYA Rehabilitation Assistant is supervised by the CAYA Speech-Language Pathologist (S-LP) according to provincial regulations. Travel, including overnight, is involved in this role and daily use of a car is required.

In this role you will:

• Prepare appropriate client materials/activities, such as communication books, information sheets, interaction guidelines, to be used in client support activities as directed by the CAYA S-LP.
• Program and prepare speech-generating technology and related assistive technology to be used in client support activities as directed by the CAYA S-LP.
• Participate in and facilitate interdisciplinary communication and team-based client/family activities.
• Participate in activities that facilitate team goal setting, problem solving, conflict resolution and collaboration.
• Assist with client activities such as practice with AAC systems, interaction skills, and conversation groups in a designated work location and in locations in the community, under the direction of the CAYA S-LP.
• Assist clients with practicing communication skills by performing duties such as providing support, accompanying clients on outings, overseeing client/group activities, confirming details of proposed activities and demonstrating techniques to enable clients to achieve their established goals.
• Record and manage documents to show a client’s progress towards meeting established communication objectives as stated in the service plan and reports concerns and /or changes to the CAYA S-LP.
• Complete required reports by methods such as recording workload and project statistics in accordance with established procedures.
• Perform routine checks and maintenance on staff and client equipment, troubleshoot malfunctioning equipment, and report technical problems to appropriate staff.
• Maintain an inventory of supplies and/or equipment by methods such as monitoring stock levels, reporting shortages, and preparing necessary forms for requisition.
• Transport clients to and from project service areas by utilizing mechanical aids such as wheelchairs or escorting clients who are disoriented to time, place, or person.
• Attend project, team, and other meetings as requested.
• Provide technical and resource support as appropriate.
• Perform other duties within the job as assigned.

How Will You Create Impact?
Together with your CAYA S-LP, you will be providing people whose speech does not meet their daily needs, with the means to communicate in another manner. You will be enabling adults with complex communication needs to communicate where they live, work and play. You will be training communication partners in strategies to interact with people who use AAC systems in various environments.

How Will We Help You Grow? You will receive on-the-job training and professional development in providing (under the direction of your CAYA S-LP) consultative and comprehensive AAC services to the adult population in a community-based environment. You will have access to the CAYA Loan Bank and learn many pieces of technology for communication and productivity. You will be able to support your clients using a hybrid service delivery model (in-person and virtual service). You will work in an office with another established CAYA team.

We are seeking a Rehabilitation Assistant who works well within the team but is also able to work independently with good people and communication skills. A flexible work schedule is imperative as this S-LP/RA team travels to the northern part of the health authority. You must be willing to embrace technology (both old and new) on a daily basis and be willing to learn new skills.

Reasons to Join Interior Health:

• Comprehensive employer-paid benefits package
• Generous paid vacation entitlement
• Access to our in-house learning and development centre
• Employee Health and Wellness programs
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals
• Employee pension plan
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Challenging and rewarding work environment