Occupational Therapist - Chronic Pain - Primary Health Care

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Health Services Manager of Primary Health Care, the Occupational Therapist (OT) provides consultation, assessment, treatment and follow-up in the occupational performance areas of self-care, productivity and leisure with patients and families . The objectives of treatment are to facilitate, restore and/or maintain clients' optimal level of function. The Occupational Therapist provides intervention to address clients' occupational performance components (physical, cognitive and affective) using an evidence based approach to plan, implement, and evaluate goal-directed services that contribute to the development of a care plan. The OT works within a highly collaborative interdisciplinary team, and collaborates with teams such as primary health care teams, chronic disease management teams, and with a focus chronic pain for the achievement of person and family-centred care.  The OT will collaborate and liaise with the health care team to support continuity and coordination of care and enhanced access to programs, services and community resources. The OT will act on the social determinants of health and will provide chronic disease prevention and management, health promotion, self-management supports.The primary care team works together to develop and deliver services to the entire population in the community cluster, including outreach to remote areas and services to meet the needs of priority populations. 
 
The OT adheres to the COTNS Standards of Practice and the Code of Ethics and is responsible and accountable at all times for their own practice consistent with relevant legislation, professional and ethical standards. The OT is accountable to identify, analyze and evaluate activities that are reflective of quality improvement initiatives.The OT ensures that the principles and practices that guide Nova Scotia Health (NSH) such as the vision, mission, values, expected behaviors, the leadership philosophy, organizational health, population health, ethics, safety, quality, partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration are integrated within the support that is provided by the work that they do and through the messages they deliver.

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:

• We would love to hear from you if you have the following:
• Graduate of a C.A.O.T recognized School of Occupational Therapy
• Must be licensed with College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia (COTNS)
• One year related experience required ( If no applicants meet the one year experience required, applicants with less than one years’ experience may be considered.).  Experience in a community based team/community setting and/or chronic pain etc, is an asset. 
• Experience with individual and group education/facilitation utilizing adult education, self-management supports, and motivational enhancement principles; experience working with people with chronic disease
• BLS-C (HCP) Certification
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Programs, including Outlook
• Experience with ability to organize and maintain client health records within an EMR including continuous learning around EMR functionalities considered an asset
• Demonstrated ability with self-management support and behaviour change counselling
• Demonstrated effective communication and interpersonal skills in team-based practice

About you cont.

• Experience with functional assessment and intervention for a broad range of health conditions as seen in primary care
• Evidence of trauma informed practice
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills within scope of practice including clinical judgment and problem-solving skills and the ability to integrate and evaluate pertinent data (from multiple sources) to problem-solve effectively
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities and strong ethical standards and a commitment to professional development and life-long learning.
• Demonstrates person-centered / family-focused, diversity relevant approaches to care
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Strong understanding of health promotion, population health, and the determinants of health theory and practice

• Ability to transmit information grounded in behavior change and principals of self-management intended to instruct clients and others about topics essential to health care and well-being and demonstrated ability in applying new and innovative technologies and strategies for education and patient counselling
• Ability to manage time and resources, implementing activities to promote cooperation among relevant others, collaboration across disciplines and related activities
• Ability to promote staff morale, cooperation, assertiveness and risk-taking, creative planning for change and innovations, implementation of NSHA policies or other protocols, and ongoing professional development of self

About you cont.

• Ability to use factual information, prior learning and basic principles and procedures to support decisions and actions with relevant research-based evidence and integrate best practice from health-related disciplines and the humanities, arts and sciences disciplines into professional practice along with commitment to continuous learning for self, interprofessional team and supportive of interprofessional health discipline students through formal/informal mentoring opportunities
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle required for home/community visits
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Hours

• Permanent full-time position;75 hours bi-weekly 
• Shifts are days, and may include evenings and weekends 
• Travel to various sites may be required

Compensation and Incentives

$35.86 - $45.28 Hourly

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.