Occupational Therapist, Extended Health Team

Employment Status: Permanent
FTE: 1.0 (40 hours a week)

Summary of Position

Calgary Foothills Primary Care Network (PCN) is a group of family physicians and health care professionals in northwest Calgary and Cochrane collaborating with various external stakeholders to deliver the best possible primary care. Calgary Foothills PCN has established a team environment where individuals are encouraged to take initiative, be creative and contribute to ongoing decision-making.

The PCN’s Extended Health Team (EHT) is comprised of registered nurses, clinical pharmacists, kinesiologist, occupational therapists, physical therapists, social workers, family physicians, nurse practitioners and mental health consultants. The team helps patients with complex chronic health conditions who struggle with psychosocial factors to self-manage chronic conditions, set achievable goals and access additional resources and support. Group and individual appointments or home visits are tailored to the patient’s needs.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Occupational Therapist collaborates with the family physician, PCN multidisciplinary teams and community/external partners to provide patient- centered care for those with chronic disease and/or complex health conditions.

Key Responsibilities

Key aspects of the position may include, but are not limited to:

• Providing comprehensive home safety and falls assessments which may include prescription of equipment
• Conducting assessments of function and how it is impacted by physical health, mental health, cognition and environmental factors
• Developing functional activity programs to optimize function and participation in valued activities
• Working with patients on self-management by providing coaching and education to help advance their skills, knowledge and self-efficacy in adopting healthy lifestylebehaviours that are meaningful to them
• Conducting cognitive assessment in a team-based approach, which may include cognitive screening of patient and/or collateral history gathering
• Providing ergonomic recommendations to improve daily function
• Helping to build care plans with patients who have, or are at risk of, chronic health conditions through biopsychosocial health assessment, collaborative goal setting, applicable interventions based on patient readiness, regular follow-up and evaluation of progress and case management throughout the patient’s participation in the program
• Supporting the navigation of the health care system to connect patients and the medical home to applicable PCN, community and health system resources as needed
• Promoting continuity of patient care through effective written and verbal communication with the Patient’s Medical Home and those involved in the circle of care
• Building relationships and developing the Occupational Therapist role within and outside of the PCN team
• Providing care through individual and facilitated group appointments
• Consulting with hospital, community and other PCN health care providers to ensure seamless care transitions
• Participating in the development, delivery, evaluation and quality improvement of health programs
• Collecting data and maintain data for service indicators, progress reports and evaluations
• Adhering to and performing activities and care within the full scope of practice as defined under the Health Professions Act

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding regarding Occupational Therapist scope of practice within community setting
• Experience as a case manager
• Expertise in active listening and motivational interviewing
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), organization and critical thinking skills
• Strong skills in collaborating with team members and physicians
• Maintains an individual's dignity and self-worth during all interactions
• Experience with trauma informed care an asset
• Excellent group facilitation skills
• Ability to provide evidence-based care
• Ability to work well in a team setting and independently
• Excellent computer skills are required
• Strong health assessment and documentation skills
• Ability to prioritize, manage time effectively and be flexible in a very dynamic work environment
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings/weekends, when required
• Accepts, implements and evaluates change with a positive attitude
• High degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Alberta Aids to Daily Living Authorizer status would be an asset
• Current knowledge and skills with pain science education an asset
• Experience working with chronic conditions such as chronic pain/fatigue an asset

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current registration with Alberta College of Occupational Therapists
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have access to a reliable vehicle

Employment Requirements:

• Completion of a satisfactory criminal record check and/or Vulnerable Sector Search.

Diversity & Inclusion

• Our PCN strongly believes in sustaining an inclusive, respectful and equitable working environment that represents the communities we serve. We are committed to a merit-based selection process that ensures all candidates are considered. We invite people of all ethnic backgrounds, ancestry, religious beliefs, sex, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientation, ages, marital status, family status, genetic characteristics and disabilities to apply for positions within our PCN.

Commitment to Truth and Reconciliation

• As part of our ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation and supporting Indigenous communities, we actively uphold Call to Action 23 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. We are dedicated to increasing the recruitment and retention of Indigenous professionals across all levels of our organization, particularly in health and wellness roles and encourage individuals of Indigenous ancestry to apply.

If your background matches the qualifications listed above and are looking for an opportunity with a dynamic organization that is making a difference in the community, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Please note that only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.

In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge that we live, work and play on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, as well as districts 4, 5 and 6 of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government and all people who make their homes in the Treaty 7 region of Southern Alberta.