Job Summary:
In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position. Reporting to the Professional Practice Leader, Occupational Therapy & Vocational Rehabilitation, the Occupational Therapist utilizes evidence-based client and family-centered psychosocial rehabilitation and/or recovery model principles to provide occupational therapy services to forensic patients who have complex mental health illnesses and may have co-occurring addictions and medical conditions, to enable them to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes. Working both independently and as a member of interdisciplinary teams at FPH, the Occupational Therapist conducts functional assessments of patients, identifying skill strengths and deficits, consults with the interdisciplinary treatment team members, and makes recommendations for treatment and rehabilitation. The Occupational Therapist actively participates as a member of Rehabilitation Services team.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Provides Occupational Therapy assessment and treatment in accordance with established standards to promote self-care, productivity and constructive use of leisure time by performing duties such as assessing needs, planning, implementing and evaluating treatment programs to an individual client/patient or group of client(s)/patient(s) in various environments.

2. Documents information including relevant clinical data, assessments, treatment plans, progress reports and outcomes.

3. Participates in interdisciplinary groups and/or teams including members such as physicians and nursing staff by performing duties such as providing clinical input and suggestions related to the management of the referred client/patient or group of clients/patients to ensure that high quality care is delivered.

4. Assists clients and families to obtain specific equipment to meet the individual needs of the client/patient by performing duties such as communicating both verbally and in writing with agencies regarding the specific needs of the client/patient and requesting funding and liaising with suppliers regarding equipment needs.

5. Maintains communication with clients/patients and families and/or caregivers in order to foster optimal progress for the client/patient through methods such as establishing and maintaining supportive, collaborative and therapeutic relationships. Participates on professional committees/teams and provides services to designated programs through methods such as attending meetings, providing written/verbal reports regarding referred clients/patients and to facilitate the resolution of issues and advocate for the goals and objectives of clients/patients.

6. Responds to inquiries from the community both locally and provincially regarding assessment and treatment protocols for assigned clients/patients through methods such as providing advice and suggesting intervention techniques and/or making referrals to appropriate resources; advises when on-site assessment and/or treatment is recommended.

7. Performs regular security functions to maintain the safety and security of patients, staff, families and the general public at all times and takes immediate action to mitigate risks, as well as reporting all real and potential risk issues. Assesses individual patient risks factors from an occupational therapy perspective and incorporates risk mitigation strategies into patients’ treatment plans in order to optimize safety and security for staff, co-patients and the general public.

8. Participates in or, as required, initiates quality improvement and risk management activities related to Occupational Therapy for clients/patients by methods such as utilizing/evaluating outcome measurements and providing input to the establishment of new or revised policies, procedures and protocols to ensure care and services are provided in the most efficient and effective manner.

9. Provides student supervision, clinical guidance and opportunities to observe and take an active role in the provision of occupational therapy and rehabilitation services. Provides input to the Academic Program as required on individual’s progress in achieving established learning objectives and standards of care; and brings any problems or concerns to the attention of the Occupational Therapy Practice Leader in a timely manner.

10. Participates in team research activities through methods such as identifying research questions and participating in the collection of relevant data for inclusion in research papers.

11. Maintains and updates knowledge in Occupational Therapy through methods such as reviewing literature, consulting with other professionals and attending relevant education programs and sharing information with colleagues and multi-disciplinary teams, in order to contribute to the continuing improvement of care in Rehabilitation Services.

12. Appears before the BC Review Board to respond to inquiries concerning a patient’s functional assessment when required.

13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
Education & Experience

• Graduation from a recognized university with an approved program in Occupational Therapy.
• Two (2) years’ recent, related experience working in a psychiatric setting with individuals who have complex mental health and addictions issues or equivalent.
• Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC).
• Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) of the British Columbia Society of Occupational Therapists (BCSOT).
• Class 5 Driver’s License

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act and the Criminal Code of Canada as it applies to the rights and obligations of forensic psychiatric clients and staff.
• Knowledge of community, social and mental health resources.
• Ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with clients, families, team members, other groups and community agency personnel.
• Broad knowledge of therapy theory and clinical practice within a client and family centred model of care.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower clients to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to instruct and supervise students in related health professions
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required.
• Basic knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice related to designated program/area.
• Basic understanding of trauma-informed care
• Basic knowledge of clinical standardized tests and measures.
• Basic knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Skill in the use of equipment, and in the techniques appropriate to occupational therapy treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, work direction, and effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to teach, demonstrate and coach clients and co-workers both one-on-one and in groups.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.