Do you want to work for a health care organization that changes people's lives? One that not only cares deeply about clients, but also values that its employees are its greatest asset?

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada is a unique health services organization that serves people who are blind or partially sighted across the country. Our certified specialists provide training that empowers clients to develop or to restore activities of daily living skills, to promote their independence, to enhance safety and mobility. We work closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other health care professionals, by providing essential care on a referral basis in homes, workplaces and communities across the country.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, flexible schedules, and opportunities for professional development and growth.

For more information about Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, please visit visionlossrehab.ca or call 1-844-887-8572.

Position Title: Occupational Therapist

Location: Halifax, NS

Term: Full-time, Permanent

Reports To: Provincial Manager, Healthcare Operations

Date: August 28, 2024

I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

The scope of the Occupational Therapist is to help people of all ages to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environment for optimal functioning. OT is the art and science of enabling engagement in everyday living to ensure an inclusive society so that all people may participate to their full potential in their daily life. OTs work with individuals who are blind or partially sighted with additional complex needs. OTs use a systematic approach based on evidence and professional reasoning to enable individuals, families, groups, communities, organizations, or populations to develop the means and opportunities to identify and engage in the occupations of life.

The Occupational Therapist will complete assessments, develops treatment plans, organizes, provides and directs occupational therapy treatment and educational programs for Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada clients, their families and caregivers in accordance with the standards of the College of Occupational Therapists in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

II. Essential Functions

This position provides functional expertise for the comprehensive multi-faceted service and operations program.

This position entails, but is not limited to the following:

•Completes assessments of clients in a variety of treatment settings: private homes, schools, senior's residence, long term care facilities, group homes, and performs an analysis based on objective, subjective and functional findings.

•Establishes realistic, measurable and time limited treatment goals and develops treatment plan.

•Teaches adaptive skills for independent living in areas of personal management, household management, communication, leisure activities, basic indoor orientation & mobility skills, and basic technology training within the OT scope of practice.

•Ensures that occupational therapy treatments are initiated with the informed consent of the client or substitute decision maker in accordance with the Health Care Consent Act.

•Participates in case conferences when required and consults with other members of the health care team in fostering a holistic approach to care Completes reassessments to review patient's progress and treatment goals and reports to other members of the health care team in order to ensure continuity of care and determine if other resources and referrals are required.

•Provides consultation, public education, and in-service training from an OT lens, teaches sighted guide to family members and other allied professionals.

•Completes assessments and recommendations for adaptation aids, assistive devices and equipment necessary to achieve treatment goals.

•Completes documentation and maintains appropriate patient records in accordance with the standards of the College of Occupational Therapists within a specified jurisdiction and VLRC policies and procedures.

•Acts as a resource for VLRC employees, service providers, school personnel, long term care facilities and community by providing educational programs as requested.

•Attends and participates actively in occupational therapy team meetings and general staff meetings.

•Assumes responsibility for maintaining professional knowledge current and skills up to date. Prioritizes occupational therapy services in accordance with the VLRC Waiting List Management Policy.

Relationships

•Interacts with clients, their family and caregivers to develop and identify vision related goals and develop early intervention and therapy programs, and support families to follow through on recommendations.

•Builds and maintains good working relationships with professionals in other agencies and community groups.

•Educates community partners about Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada and its services across the province.

•Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings.

•Advocates on client's behalf in medical clinics, schools, etc. when possible.

•Instructs and supervises students (and Occupational Therapy Assistants where applicable) to work with clients.

Problem Solving

•Position utilizes problem solving abilities related to implementing and developing intervention and therapy as part of the client's vision rehabilitation plan.

•Problem solving involved in adapting services, materials and equipment to address the needs of individuals with complex health conditions.

•Sensitivity and awareness of cultural, religious, mental health needs and/or emotional support.

Decision Autonomy

•Decision making based on training and experience working with individuals of all ages with visual impairments, and individual assessment and reassessment, to develop an appropriate service plan.

•Judgment is utilized for making decisions about method, schedule, and type of assessment and treatment and the manner in which parents are taught to follow through on recommendations.

•This position is itinerant, requiring frequent visits to family homes.

Leadership

•Provides leadership and guidance when training and supervising rehab assistants, parents, students and community.

Requirements

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements:

•Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy and current certificate of registration with the College of Occupational Therapists in Nova Scotia and willingness to obtain registration in PEI

•Professional experience attained over a period of 2 years in an Occupational Therapy role is an asset

•Related experience in a community-based setting is an asset

•Previous Stroke Rehab experience is an asset

•Experience supervising support personnel an asset

•Ability to utilize computer and software programs

•Excellent facilitation skills both in groups and individual situations

•Good organization and time management skills

•Additional training will be provided by VLRC to become a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist through ACVREP

Experience and Education:

•Master of Occupational Therapy Degree

•Current practicing member of the designated provincial Occupational Therapy regulatory body.

•Experience working with individuals with vision loss is an asset

Work Environment:

•Willingness to work flexible hours

•Willingness to work in a variety of settings (in client home, outdoors, daycare, etc.)

•Travel is required

Benefits

Apply Now!

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to [email protected]

Be sure to include a resume, cover letter, and mention how you heard about this opportunity.

VLRC is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive workplace and we are committed to a fair, transparent, and accessible recruitment process. We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, people who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset.

VLRC is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Vulnerable Sector Check.

Not sure if you qualify? Think about applying anyway!

We understand that not everyone brings 100% of the skills and experience for the role. If you possess similar experience to what we've listed above, we encourage you to apply. We believe that diverse experience, transferable skills, and passion are key!

We thank all applicants for their interest in VLRC, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Closing Date for Applications: September 21, 2024