Therapy Assistant

The Royal Alexandra Hospital is a large teaching hospital. Working in a fast-paced environment, the Therapy Assistant we are looking for will be primarily based working on one of the acute care units. You will work under the supervision and direction of the Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Recreation Therapist, and Speech Language Pathologist. You will be responsible for performing client rehabilitation treatment and intervention programs through individual and/or group delivery; lifting/transferring clients; client/staff education; assisting in planning, implementing and evaluating the service. This will require you to perform therapeutic lifts/transfers and to provide the patient with physical support during treatment sessions. You will demonstrate good communication skills and an ability to work well independently, as well as a part of an acute care interdisciplinary team under flexible demands. You will demonstrate good administrative and documentation skills. You must be able to prioritize and organize your daily work schedule in order to manage client caseload and service delivery responsibilities. Therapy Assistants at the Royal Alexandra Hospital work and learn in a variety of clinical areas including medicine, surgery, orthopedics and arthroplasty. The RAH strives to provide excellent patient centered care through ongoing education, mentorship and implementation of evidence based and best practice strategies. The Rehabilitation Services Department provides excellent learning opportunities through professional practice lead events as well supporting ongoing professional growth and quality improvement initiatives. We encourage healthy lifestyles by providing secure bike storage, a Light Rail Transit Station, a Fitness Centre and other wellness activities.

As a Therapy Assistant, you will work both individually and as part of an interprofessional team under the assignment, monitoring and evaluation of an audiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, recreation therapist or speech-language pathologist. You will contribute to effective and efficient rehabilitation services including direct and indirect client care across the health care continuum (healthy living, getting better, living with illness and disability, end of life care) for all ages as well as non-client service provision. This role will require you to work effectively with internal and external partners, and display professionalism and strong ethics in both client centered care and participation in care teams. You will demonstrate evidence of reflective thinking and lifelong learning that enhances individual and team competency. You will have opportunities to use your interpersonal and clinical skills in contributing to quality improvement, program planning and student supervision.

Completion of diploma from an accredited post-secondary rehabilitation Therapy Assistant program or equivalent training may be considered.

Two-year Diploma from an approved Physical Therapy Assistant/Occupational Therapy Assistant program is required. Recent experience working in 2 or more of the following: PT assistant, OT assistant, SLP assistant, or Rec. T Assistant is required. Minimum 1 year of recent experience working in an adult in-patient acute care setting is required. Experience working successfully as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team is required. Conflict resolution and strong communication skills are required. Must be able to work independently and within a team environment. Heart and stroke CPR (BCLS-HCP) certification is required. An excellent attendance record, reliability and personal suitability must be demonstrated through your employment references. Knowledge and ability to use computer applications such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Outlook). Experience with Connect Care is preferred. Work tasks and charting is computer based so there are extensive repetitive motion tasks. Must be able to tolerate long periods of sitting or standing as well as repetitive movements. Must be able to participate in hands on care of patients (i.e. transfers, bariatric clients, bending, reaching, twisting, and walking distances). Must be able to lift and carry 10-15 kg regularly if needed. Must be able to tolerate wearing lead vest for videofluoroscopic swallowing studies.

As required.