(PERMANENT FULL-TIME) PHYSIOTHERAPIST - GERIATRIC PROGRAM (GDU)

Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences•Whitby, ON

18h•CA$45 - CA$53•Onsite

About The Position

This is a permanent, full-time position for a Physiotherapist within the Geriatric Program (GDU). The role involves planning, organizing, developing, and implementing physical therapy programs, providing assessments, treatments, and consultations as part of a multidisciplinary team. The physiotherapist will also be responsible for maintaining accurate clinical records, directing assigned staff, and participating in program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives. This position requires staying updated on current advancements in physical therapy and ensuring compliance with professional standards and legislation.

Requirements

Registration as Physiotherapist with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.
Knowledge of clinical physiotherapy theory, practices and treatment techniques for mentally ill and geriatric patients to assess patients' needs, develop/implement therapy programs which meet patients' specialized needs, and provide consultation and advice on physiotherapy programs.
Knowledge of ministry/facility, and department policies and procedures relating to the treatment of mental illness and the practice of physiotherapy to ensure compliance with standards and contribute to the development of policies and procedures.
Knowledge of relevant sections of related legislation, e.g. FOIPPA, Mental Health Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Regulated Health Professions Act, and Physiotherapy Act, to ensure that physiotherapy programs, educational and consultative services are in compliance with legislation.
Knowledge of research techniques, including survey design and quantitative and evaluative methods to participate in research projects, design and administer surveys and compile and analyse findings.
Knowledge of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations that apply to the work and knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health and safety in the workplace to ensure compliance when performing supervisory responsibilities.
Analytical skills to assess patients' disabilities and potential capacity for effective body movement, taking into consideration such aspects as patient's overall level of functioning, physical condition, capability and range of movement, patient goals and motivation; to identify patients' specific needs and to design therapy programs and provide assistive devices which meet those specialized needs.
Job requires evaluative skills to determine patient progress in the therapy program, considering results of continual evaluation of changes against initial measurements and goals, impacts of specific therapies or exercises and possible benefit of other exercises or therapies/modalities, and to provide evidence based practice.
Based on these considerations job is required to determine whether to terminate the program or what adjustments and/or modifications are required to improve patient progress.
Reasoning and evaluative skills to measure physiotherapy program progress in relation to set goals; to assess factors affecting achievement of goals and to formulate recommendations for program or procedural changes.
Evaluative skills to identify educational gaps among colleagues and to design training programs which will enhance their physiotherapy-related knowledge.
Oral communication skills: to communicate information regarding assessment approaches/findings and therapy activities to multidisciplinary team members, other professionals and patients; to provide orientation, clinical direction and instruction to staff, students or trainees; to conduct educational seminars and workshops on physiotherapy topics for staff and the community.
Written communication skills to write reports on patient progress and to maintain accurate clinical records.
Interpersonal skills to maintain strong working relationships with multidisciplinary staff and ensure good public relations with community groups.
Organizational skills to establish priorities among competing demands and to ensure that activities are carried out in a timely manner.
Applying physiotherapy methods within program policy, resources and standards.
Job requires determining which physiotherapy methods will achieve best results for patients; determining the approach to be used in making assessments and setting goals for patients; modifying or terminating treatment plans; and developing and presenting educational/training sessions.
Discussing specific physiotherapy issues or questions with other physiotherapists or colleagues.

Responsibilities

Plan, organize, develop and implement physical therapy programs in accordance with the standards and scope of practice of the College of Physiotherapists.
Provide assessment, treatment and consultative services on a regular basis as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
Submit written reports and assessment findings on an ongoing basis consistent with goals and objectives of patient treatment.
Assess patient potential capacity for effective body movement and presenting findings with recommendations to other team members at case conferences.
Provide individual treatments as condition warrants utilizing electrotherapy and exercise modalities, hot and cold packs, paraffin wax, ultra sound, whirlpool, interferential current and T.E.N.s.
Provide ambulation programs and exercise classes to patients.
Assess and provide seating and mobility aids i.e., walkers, canes, braces, wheelchairs.
Ensure maintenance of accurate clinical records and statistical data in accordance with established procedures and Centre’s accreditation standards.
Direct assigned staff in carrying out programs, providing professional guidance and assistance, as necessary.
Review existing programs and identify needs with the Program Directors and Clinical Managers, in line with Centre, unit policy, consistent with available resources and coordinated with other services.
Recognize and report patient, staff, and environment safety issues, identify and implement preventative and corrective actions, within the scope of this role.
Perform periodic inspections of equipment, and requesting repairs or maintenance checks by qualified personnel.
Participate in meetings and in-service education sessions.
Participate in program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives.
Keep abreast of current departments in the field of physical therapy and utilizing this knowledge in program development and education.
Within Professional Council, ensuring ongoing review of policies and procedures and compliance with professional standards and legislation by the College of Physiotherapy.
Other duties as assigned.