Occupational Therapist (3 x 1.0 FTE Permanent and 2 x 1.0 FTE 12-MONTH CONTRACT)
The Children's Centre is seeking seven (7) Occupational Therapists to fulfill full-time permanent and full-time contract positions.
The Occupational Therapist works to improve participation and quality of life through a child’s ability to perform role-appropriate, day-to-day tasks necessary for self-care such as getting dressed, eating, moving around, moving around to allow for going to school/participating in the community and leisure activities within his or her environment. This process involves assessment, identification of strengths and needs, goal-setting, treatment planning, and implementation of treatment in a direct, indirect or consultative manner, as indicated, then discharge.
As an employee of Niagara Children's Centre, the Occupational Therapist may be assigned to one or more services. These include single or interdisciplinary services, and specialized programs provided by the Centre such as the Communication Assessment and Support Team, Seating and Mobility and Home and Vehicle Modification Clinics.
Specific Responsibilities:
Responsibilities of the position include:
- Assessment: The Occupational Therapist assesses the development of a child’s functional abilities in activities of daily living, school/work and play/leisure within the child’s natural environment. This may include standardized and non-standardized assessment of the child’s neuromuscular, sensorimotor, cognitive, and psychosocial skills as well as the physical and sociocultural characteristics of the child’s environments. Assessment may take place at a variety of locations,such as the Centre, the Centre school, the child’s home, community school or preschool, or other community setting.
- Treatment Planning: On the basis of the assessment, the Occupational Therapist collaborates with the child/family, educator, school or preschool, other therapists, and others who may be involved, to identify goals and to establish an appropriate treatment plan to achieve the goals.
- Intervention: The Occupational Therapist provides intervention to achieve the treatment plan and to maintain, develop or restore the child’s highest potential for performing self-care, school/work, and play/leisure activities. Intervention may also include the prevention of conditions that may limit
potential; and the assessment for, selection of, and training in, the use of assistive technology and/or devices to facilitate active participation or independence in day-to-day tasks- Intervention may be provided in various environments; through a variety of service delivery options (e.g., individual, group, parent education, home programming) on a direct or indirect or consultative basis, and either in a uni-disciplinary setting or as part of an inter or multi-disciplinary team.
- Service coordination with family and other members of the child’s team
- Supervision: The Occupational Therapist may be requested to supervise OTAs as part of his/her regular workload and in doing so, must adhere to the policies established in the COTO Standards for the Supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistants (2018). OTs may also be requested to supervise students or volunteers.
Documentation: The Occupational Therapist is responsible for report writing in accordance with the Ontario College of Occupational Therapists guidelines (such as assessments, progress reports, Occupational transition reports, and discharge summaries). In addition, there may be documentation requirements such as internal and external referrals; funding application forms on behalf of families or parent correspondence. The Occupational Therapist is also responsible for the daily and accurate recording in the Centre’s data collection system of daily activities and clients seen.- Education: The Occupational Therapist is responsible for providing education to parents and the community; promotional activities on behalf of the Centre. Through conferences, lectures and other training the Occupational Therapist will keep current in new approaches and research, particularly if assigned to a specialized clinic with emerging and changing knowledge and technology.
Health and Safety:
The Occupational Therapist will comply with the duties assigned to Workers as per Section 28 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Accountability and Freedom to Act:
The incumbent has latitude for discretion within practices and procedures covered by precedents, Centre policy and procedure manuals, standards of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, and supervisory review.
Key Relationships:
The Occupational Therapist is concerned with the effectiveness of all relationships that affect the Centre. The following are particularly significant to the position:
External
- Children, and their families and other caregivers
- Regulated professionals involved in the care of the child/family such as physicians, public health personnel, nurse practitioners
- Teachers and Educational Assistants in all school and childcare systems
- Staff of Community partner agencies and programs
- Vendors and suppliers of equipment and services being considered for use by clients
- Staff at relevant government offices/branches that are responsible for approval and/or provision of client-specific funding, services or equipment
- Case managers at HCCSS (if assigned to Acute Home Care)
- Internal
- Staff at all levels in the organization
Performance Factors:
In assessing the performance of an incumbent in this position, the following factors will be utilized as appropriate:
- Workload and productivity relative to established standards
- Clinical outcomes – the degree to which care plans are well-designed and goals are achieved
- Documentation – the accuracy, relevance and timeliness
- Relationships and communication with –clients and families, colleagues, staff from other agencies
Position Specifications:
Education:
The minimum specifications for an incumbent will include:
- Registration and membership in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
Knowledge/Skills:
An incumbent will be expected to have the following knowledge and skills:
- A sound understanding and skill in the practice of occupational therapy
- The ability to work effectively with children and their families
- Sufficient computer literacy in Microsoft Office to complete work requirements
Other:
- Access to a vehicle and possession of a driver’s license valid for the province of Ontario is required
- A current criminal reference check for vulnerable populations
- CPR certification
- Evidence of non-violent crisis intervention training
Ready to apply? Follow the link below and fill out our online application.