Occupational Therapist I - Outpatient Rheumatology

The University of Alberta Hospital is one of Canada’s leading clinical, research, and teaching hospitals, treating more than 700,000 patients annually from western and northern Canada. The hospital offers a wide range of diagnostic and treatment services, including specialized adult services within cardiac sciences, neurosciences, surgery, medicine, orthopedics, renal, critical care, burns, transplant and trauma inpatient programs as well as a vast number of ambulatory clinics. This position is part of the centralized Rehabilitation and Allied Health Program in the area of Outpatient Rheumatology. This is 1 of 2 positions currently posted for this role. Our site provides excellent learning opportunities through our monthly professional practice lead events as well as supports ongoing professional growth and quality improvement and encourages mentorship from the vast collective experiences of other professionals on site. The University of Alberta Hospital is centrally located in the capital city, the heart of the academic campus, Old Strathcona and the beautiful river valley. We encourage healthy lifestyles by providing secure bike storage, a Light Rail Transit Station, the Pulse Fitness Centre and other ReVitalize activities. Part time positions may afford up to full time hours on a casual basis. Please ensure your profile concisely outlines your qualifications, experiences and interests in this position.

As an Occupational Therapist (OT), you will provide evidence-informed services, with a focus on occupational performance designed to meet the needs of individuals, groups, or a community. You may act as a direct service provider, consultant, educator, or advocate and function as an integral health care team member. You will engage individuals, groups, and communities to enable meaningful and chosen occupations, including self-care, productivity and leisure. You will support clients to achieve optimum functional abilities and independence related to their cognitive, affective, spiritual, and physical strengths and limitations. As an OT, you will provide comprehensive services, including triage, screening, consultation, assessment, diagnosis, collaborative goal setting, treatment, prevention, self-management, education, case management, referral, transition support, and collaboration with relevant and chosen stakeholders and supports within the client¿s physical, institutional, cultural, and social environments. You will include clients and families as integral members of the health care team, encouraging their active participation in all aspects of care. You will collaborate with clients and families in determining, implementing, and evaluating rehabilitation. You will participate in a variety of interprofessional teams to build awareness, enrich support and engage in quality improvement by partnering with healthcare providers, patients, families, and other stakeholders to advance services for the clients. You will contribute to quality improvement and their professional community and participate in peer mentoring and supervising students. You may also provide clinical supervision to Therapy Assistants and Therapy Aides.

Completion of bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited university program. Registered with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists (ACOT).

Current Basic Life Support (BLS-HCP) certification is required. Your quality of work must meet departmental and organizational expectations. Demonstrated clarity in your communication, organization, and consistency of ideas, both verbally and written, including clinical documentation, is required. You must be a highly motivated, confident & enthusiastic individual with a positive attitude whose work aligns with AHS Values. You must be able to act quickly and decisively using critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Able to utilize strong judgment by analyzing facts, considering the impact, and arriving at a sound conclusion, seeking counsel when appropriate. You can work independently and as a part of the team creating strong, effective interpersonal working relationships with peers and other caregivers. You are a reliable worker who uses time effectively and can prioritize/complete tasks in a busy work environment. You have effective teaching skills for students and other professionals. One year in the last 3 years of ambulatory hospital experience required, preferably in the Edmonton zone, preferably with individuals experiencing chronic disease. Basic computer skills are a must; familiarity with Connect Care. Netcare, Outlook and other electronic medical records are preferred. Experience assigning, supervising, and evaluating tasks provided to therapy assistants is preferred.

Knowledge and experience with chronic disease management as well as completion of Health Change Methodology training are assets. Experience working with individuals with rheumatological disease including provision of joint-specific exercises, fabrication or provision of orthotic devices, assessment and prescription of adaptive aids and devices, and participation in self-management and education programs such as energy conservation or joint protection.