Community Occupational Therapist, Developmental Disabilities

Detailed Overview

Provides direct and indirect rehabilitation services including assessment, intervention, consultation, education and support services related to sensory processing and occupational performance (person-occupation-environment) from a psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) perspective for Developmental Disabilities Mental Health Services team clients.

Provides input into the evaluation of process and outcomes to ensure quality of services. Works in close association with multi-disciplinary mental health staff, agencies, and community service providers.

Screens and assesses client's sensory processing and environmental factors, functional capacity, occupational performance status, and environmental supports, and makes recommendations and referrals to appropriate rehabilitation and other community agencies.

The Occupational Therapist is expected to engage the individual client / resident and his / her support systems as people with full competence and as full collaborators in service planning, delivery and evaluation.

Responsibilities Provides occupational therapy services with selected clients by consulting team members to determine treatment priorities and goals, identifying appropriate Frame of Reference for intervention / treatment, reviewing assessment results and developing treatment goals with the client.

Determines the appropriate use of assessment tools, and analyzes assessment results, through review of relevant information as well as client interview(s), interviews with significant others (on consent of the client), and other professionals and services.

Reviews assessment results with the client and determines course of action to produce verbal and written assessment reports to provide to the client's clinical team member(s).

Identifies resources required for treatment, including tests, materials and equipment, and initiates required funding requests.

5. Provides individual treatment to restore, develop or maintain occupational performance / functional responsibilities.

Ensures appropriate referral through discussion with the client, their clinical team member(s) and the family / support networks involved.

Provides referral information regarding the client's skills, limitations and goals, assisting the support networks and client to determine the best way to achieve desired results, helping to orient the client to the service, and providing ongoing support and advice to both client and support networks;

or, where necessary, redirects clients to a more appropriate service. Provides group leadership / co-leadership in the provision of groups to meet psycho-education, skill development and other needs.

Participates in the planning, development and coordination of occupational therapy services for the Developmental Disabilities Mental Health service, providing input to the Team Coordinator and in consultation with clients, team members, other professionals, service providers and families.

Determines service needs, identifies current resources and service gaps, and assists in establishing priorities for service development.

Incorporates current best practice service delivery models, identifies service goals, evaluation tools and procedures. Liaises with other agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to service provision and effective use of resources.

Participates in joint planning for overall service delivery to clients, aligns client service to team priorities, and provides verbal and written reports regarding progress towards program goals to the team coordinator, as a member of the mental health centre multidisciplinary team.

Interprets the scope and purpose of sensory interventions and psychosocial rehabilitation for mental health team clients, and interprets Fraser Health Policies and Procedures affecting occupational therapy services / rehabilitation, providing information to assist the case manager to facilitate the client's effective rehabilitation.

Supervises occupational therapy students, as required. Represents the team on Fraser Health and local committees for the development of rehabilitation policy, programme planning and standards.

Assists in the provision of education regarding occupational therapy sensory interventions & rehabilitation to team staff.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education and Experience Graduation from an approved school of Occupational Therapy.

Two years' recent related experience working in a mental health or developmental disabilities setting, with experience implementing sensory interventions, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC). Eligibility for membership in the British Columbia Society of Occupational Therapists (BCSOT) and / or the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).

Valid Class V BC driver's license and access to a personal vehicle for business purposes. Skills and Abilities Demonstrated clinical skills working with people with developmental disabilities who have mental health and / or behavioural challenges.

Demonstrated clinical skills in implementing sensory processing assessment and interventions. Demonstrated ability to work with services in the community.

Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary setting, and to work independently. Knowledge of current psychiatric (psychosocial) rehabilitation practice particularly related to supporting individuals to engage in developmentally appropriate, meaningful activities.

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing. Ability to deal with others effectively. Ability to organize and prioritize workload.

Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.