Occupational Therapist

healthscie•Sudbury, ON

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Health Sciences North (HSN) is seeking an innovative individual for the position of Occupational Therapist to provide specialized comprehensive geriatric assessment, analysis, and mental health intervention for older adults with complex age-related mental health needs and mental health decline related to geriatric syndromes. The successful individual will utilize a holistic client and family-centred approach to optimize safety, functional ability, and well-being. The Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Service is an interdisciplinary team providing assessment, treatment, follow-up support and counselling in the home environment to older adults with late-onset mental health changes. The service is a part of the North East Specialized Geriatric Centre’s team of exceptional services, delivering specialized care for older adults to enhance independence and quality of life, and providing expert resources for health professionals and caregivers throughout Northeastern Ontario.

Requirements

Current Certificate of Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) is required.
Successful completion of the Geriatric Assessor training course or equivalent is required.
Successful completion of the Core Indigenous Cultural Competency Training Program is required.
Ministry of Labour “Worker Health and Safety Awareness in 4 Steps” training certificate is required.
Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years’ of recent clinical experience working with the mental health needs of geriatric patients in a community setting.
Demonstrated ability to provide outreach services to assess and treat older adults in their homes.
Demonstrated knowledge of geriatric mental health best practice tools and interventions, including Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), CBT, Rapid Assessment Interface Discharge (RAID), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), Mini-cog, Trails Making Test, Geriatric Depression Scale, and Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia.
Demonstrated skills in the management of geriatric mental health syndromes, including depression, anxiety, delirium, substance misuse, risk of harm to self or others, and social isolation.
Demonstrated knowledge of OT theory, other theoretical frameworks relevant to the area of practice, and the Canadian Practice Process Framework (CPPF).
Demonstrated knowledge and application of client and family-centred models of care.
Demonstrated knowledge of COTO standards of practice and guidelines.
Demonstrated knowledge of current health care and privacy legislation.
Demonstrated knowledge of community services and available resources.
Demonstrated ability to exercise professional judgment, clinical reasoning, and critical thinking with the ability to apply ethical frameworks and choose the optimal assessment and treatment intervention.
Demonstrated ability to direct, supervise, and mentor support personnel, staff, and students.
Demonstrated training, experience or utilization of quality improvement methodology for process improvement.
Demonstrated ability to independently identify issues, plan improvements, measure success and continue improvement.
Demonstrated excellent computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft Office software (e.g. Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook) and patient information systems.
Demonstrated superior interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.
Demonstrated ability to manage routine correspondence, multiple tasks/projects, diversified workload and rapidly changing priorities and challenging deadlines.
Demonstrated discretion and maturity when handling confidential information.
Demonstrated commitment to the safety of co-workers and patients.
Successful criminal reference check is required for vulnerable sector.
Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with health care providers, clients, families, and the community.
Ability to use tact and discretion in dealing with health care providers and patients.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
Valid driver’s license with access to reliable vehicle.
Demonstrated ability to perform with minimal supervision.
Demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
Demonstrated professionalism in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
Demonstrated positive work record and good attendance record.
Ability to meet the physical and sensory demands of the job.
Ability to travel between local and regional sites (i.e., patients’ homes and community sites).

Nice To Haves

Successful completion of the PIECES Learning and Development Program is preferred.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Administer and perform comprehensive geriatric cognitive, functional, home safety, and environmental assessments in the community setting and in patients’ homes.
Assess and treat patients with late onset mental health disorders (e.g. anxiety, depression, grief/bereavement, social isolation, risk of harm to self or others, caregiver stress, substance misuse).
Provide a range of treatment services including mental health education, therapeutic intervention, counselling, caregiver support, and service navigation.
Complete home visits.
Develop, implement, evaluate, and modify negotiated treatment plans to assist patients in achieving maximal functional, perceptual, and cognitive ability.
Work with clients on behavioral activation for treatment of depression, anxiety, and social isolation.
Implement strategies to address client safety issues and mitigate risk for critical injury and death.
Educate client and family in coping strategies, decision-making, and utilization of personal and community resources, and make referrals to community resources as required.
Collaborate with clients, families, interprofessional team members, and community partners throughout the therapy process and advocate to ensure client needs are met.
Participate in the discharge planning process to ensure safe, effective, and efficient discharges.
Perform controlled acts, subject to area of practice.
Manage and prioritize outreach referrals.
Document assessment findings, analysis, treatment plans, client goals, client’s ongoing progress, effectiveness of treatment plan, and government/insurance/legal forms according to the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) standards and HSN policy.
Research and incorporate best evidence into clinical practice, and conduct or collaborate in research.
Educate and provide internships to student Occupational Therapists (OT)/Occupational Therapist Assistants/Physical Therapist Assistants, other members of an interprofessional health care team and their students, external health care professionals, and school/community staff/agencies.
Ensure the privacy and confidentiality of personal health information is maintained.
Follow service-specific, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Infection Prevention and Control practices, including monthly workplace inspections.
Evaluate patient care and satisfaction on an ongoing basis and formulate solutions for improvement.
Determine and align improvement projects with HSN’s Strategic Plan; monitor and adjust to achieve goal outcomes.
Contribute to learner development by providing academic support, mentorship, preceptorship and supervision as required.
Participate in education and training specific to current, relevant federal and provincial health and safety and Occupational Therapy practice legislation, standards and guidelines.
Educate and promote health, safety and wellness in the work place.
Represent the department or program on various committees and in meetings as required.
Perform other duties as required.