Requisition Details: Employment Status: Permanent, Full-time (1.0 FTE)
Program: Occupational Therapy, Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders (or CAPABLE) Program
Work Schedule: Days
Number of Hours Bi-weekly: 75
Existing Vacancy: Yes - we're currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position. Service Areas: Kings County / Halifax Regional MunicipalityThis opportunity requires working with clients in their homes. Travel is required within the service areas. When not delivering direct services, the Occupational Therapist is required to work from a home office. VON is currently seeking an Occupational Therapist to join the CAPABLE team! VON is proud to deliver the Nova Scotia CAPABLE Program – the first of its kind in Canada. CAPABLE or Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders, supports older adults to remain in their homes and communities by promoting independence and quality of life. The successful candidate will join a team of Occupational Therapists, working in conjunction with Nurses and Handy Workers to deliver customized modifications to improve home safety and function. Online training and support are provided to become a certified CAPABLE clinician; opportunities may also be presented to develop skills in other programs supported by our OT team, i.e., Employee Support Pilot Project. What we can offer you:

• Opportunity to become a certified CAPABLE clinician
• Competitive salaries and vacation time
• Tiered Benefits (health, dental, LTD) & an Employee Assistance Program
• Defined Benefit Pension Plan with company contribution
• Travel compensation
• Comprehensive orientation program
• Smartphone provided to keep you connected during work time
• The opportunity to make a difference in your community

Come for the job, stay for the learning, and the chance to make a difference. Key Responsibilities:

• Demonstrates knowledge, skills and attitudes as outlined in the Occupational Therapy standards and guidelines for an evidence-based practice, in order to assess, plan, evaluate progress (for potential discharge) and document patient plan of care within a patient centered approach to therapy goals.
• Assesses patient's ability to function safely in the home/community environment i.e. Activities of Daily Living (ADL's), Instrumental ADL's, equipment needs etc.
• Assesses patient's cognitive ability to function independently within the home/community environment.
• Assesses patients from a holistic approach i.e. mental health status, social contacts, spiritual, and physical needs that may potentially impact the patient's ability to maintain independence in home environment.
• Develops a client-centered plan with the patient/family and health care team (i.e. Care Coordinator, Physiotherapist, Personal Support Worker (PSW), Nursing, etc.).
• Provides education and recommendations to patient/family pertaining to the patient's therapy goals.
• Provides assistance with funding sources to obtain equipment and/or home/vehicle modifications (porch lifts, ramps, grab bars, stair glides, etc.) as applicable.
• Monitors patient outcomes and progression towards therapy goals.
• Modifies patient's care plans as required based on patient outcomes.
• Documents patient outcomes and current care plans in the electronic patient chart according to the funder and College of Occupational Therapist of Ontario (COTO) guidelines.
• Communicates with funding agency as required regarding patient outcomes and status changes.
• Manages and maintains caseload of clients and responds appropriately to changes in volume.
• Completes and updates the written care plan (electronic copy) with information collected from the patient, his/her family and any other healthcare or educational professionals involved.
• Utilizes verbal and non-verbal communication skills effectively with the patient/family as required.
• Demonstrates professional code of conduct / communication with all members of the health team as per VON guidelines and policy

External and Internal Relationships:

• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to ensure patient's care needs are met and therapy goals are progressing to meet patient individual goals.
• Works collaboratively with the community services (Physiotherapist, Speech Language Pathologist and Social Worker) to ensure a safe transition to community and patient goals are met.

Education, Designations and Experience:

• Masters in Occupational Therapy (or degree prepared occupational therapy education prior to 2008).
• Valid registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and associated liability insurance.
• Member with the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapist is preferred.
• Experience in a health care environment (i.e. long term care, acute medicine, rehab unit, rehab clinic or community visiting program).
• Demonstrates knowledge of community resources preferred.
• Provided care to patients of varying diagnoses across the lifespan (stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), falls, dementia, Parkinson's, Chronic Lung Disease, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), developmental delay, learning disability etc.)
• Experience with patients who have musculoskeletal challenges an asset.
• Paediatric experience for OT's working in the school environment.
• Detailed knowledge of the healthcare system and service delivery model used.

Skill Requirements:

• Ability to utilize computer software program(s) on a hand held device (i.e. phone or tablet).
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of technology for documentation of patient outcomes.
• Strong communicate skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work interdependently and collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to adjust to working in different social and economic environments.
• Ability to respond to changes in patient caseloads and care needs.
• Demonstrates excellent time management skills to balance client visits, paperwork and urgency of referrals.
• Demonstrates a passion for serving the community and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Other:

• Must have personal vehicle and possess both a current driver's license and proof of vehicle insurance
• Willingness to travel regularly during the day as well to support sites and attend meetings
• A current and original copy of a satisfactory Criminal Records Check is required.
• A Vulnerable Sector Search and/or Child Abuse Registry Check may be required.
• Ability to speak French is an asset.
• Must be able to wear Personal Protective Equipment

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.