Occupational Therapist-Links to Employment

CMHA Kelowna is hiring a full time Occupational Therapist. This position offers 37.5 hours per week, with a typical work week of Monday – Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm.

Links to Employment helps job seekers with persistent and multiple barriers reach their goals of obtaining meaningful training, volunteer work, and/or employment. The program provides a full range of support and services that are incorporated into a comprehensive treatment plan that is delivered through a Primary Care Centre. Employment can be central to an individual’s recovery and growth as employment is a structured, purposeful activity that can enhance self-esteem and a sense of well-being within society. Employment and education are also vital aspects of fostering connection, wellness, and resilience for members of a diverse community.

WHO IS AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST?

The Occupational Therapist will work within an interdisciplinary team including a Vocational Therapist and Peer Support staff to provide evidence-based interventions to people experiencing multiple barriers to employment and accessing Primary Care or similar health services. Working within the context of a client centered care approach and the vision/values of CMHA Kelowna, the Occupational Therapist plans, develops and implements psychosocial rehabilitation assessment and intervention to clients referred to the program.  Collaborates with family members / significant others, inter-disciplinary team members, educational resources and other health care professionals/providers to achieve excellence in health services and education.

WHAT DOES AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST DO?

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assesses clients’ functional abilities/disabilities, goals, interests, needs, safety and environmental supports and resources by using recognized and specialized formal and informal occupational therapy, psychiatric rehabilitation, and/or physical assessments. Develops a plan to meet the identified client needs, in partnership with the client, caregivers/family, employers and other health care providers.
• Provides education and counseling to clients / families / employers regarding the functional and rehabilitation issues of clients in the areas of personal life, leisure, education and work and provides information and guidance to other caregivers and health providers.
• Acts as a group leader/co-leader in the provision of groups to meet the rehabilitation and psycho-educational needs of clients in the areas of personal life, leisure, education and work.
• Collaborates with interdisciplinary staff, health care professionals, employers and clients / families / caregivers and other community resources in the identification and resolution of client / family / caregiver care / employer issues, revision or termination of services, cultural and language barriers, ethical dilemmas, and coordination and integration of care, and makes referrals to other services providers, as appropriate.
• May act as case manager for a small number of rehab-ready clients.
• Maintains records in accordance with established procedures and policies and prepares/maintains statistical data, correspondence reports and other documentation, as required.
• Participates in in-services, inter-disciplinary case conference, committees, rehabilitation team meetings, and research activities, as required, and collegially shares information, demonstrates and/or provides guidance on clinical/health related tasks, and reassigns clinical/health related tasks, if necessary.
• Represents the program and CMHA Kelowna on local and regional committees and program planning and standards committees and participates in research activities, as required.
• Maintains standards of practice and develops professional competence through in-service and other educational means, as required.
• Provides ongoing commitment to client services, program evaluation and continuous improvement to ensure best practice client services and that services are provided in most effective way.
• Attends regular staff meetings, committee meetings and others as required.
• Submits regular activity reports, timesheets, expense forms, etc. as required.
• Reinforces and models work-related behaviour and interpersonal skills.
• Represents the agency in a professional manner.
• Provides cover for other program staff as appropriate and required.
• Complete First/Aid, Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Training, and Suicide Awareness Training or any other training as deemed appropriate by the employer.
• Performs other related duties, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

• Master in Occupational Therapy from a recognized program and one-year satisfactory experience in a psychiatric and/or substance use setting working with adults.
• Current full registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of British Columbia (COTBC). Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
• Class V BC Driver’s Licence and use of a reliable personal vehicle
• Considerable understanding of occupational therapy principles and techniques.
• Demonstrated understanding of psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) principles and techniques, preferably using the Recovery Centred Clinical System. 
• Working knowledge of community health agencies and available services. Considerable understanding of vocational/educational assessment procedures together with a comprehensive knowledge of community resources and social services.
• Demonstrated abilities in facilitation, mediation, and conflict resolution techniques, and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, evaluate and modify rehabilitation programs / services and to plan / deliver and evaluate therapeutic programs.
• Demonstrated group work skills.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan, organize and prioritize workload and adapt to a changing caseload.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct functional and specialized OT assessments.
• Working knowledge of psychiatric disorders.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Proven ability to defuse difficult and complex situations.
• Proven ability to respond therapeutically to clients by telephone.
• Ability to stimulate clients' interest, assess results of programs and work effectively on an individual or group basis.
• Ability to work with a culturally diverse population.
• Ability and commitment to work well with administration support and clerical staff are essential.
• Intermediate computer skills in Word, Excel, Outlook and outcome measurement and client relations management software.
• Ability to carry out the physical demands of the job.
• Successful completion of the Indigenous Cultural Safety training program is an asset.
• Personal experience with mental health issues, either through self or a loved one, is an asset in this position.
• Strong relationship building skills; including the ability to work collaboratively with diverse communities in a way that is culturally safe and trauma-informed.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification is considered an asset.

WHO IS CMHA KELOWNA?

At CMHA Kelowna, we are dedicated to Mental Health in our community. No matter how old or how young, we provide support for families and individuals through programs that promote positive mental health and support recovery, while championing the elimination of barriers that can prevent people from thriving. We are a dynamic, innovative and visionary organization. We are looking for someone who shares our vision of a mentally healthy Kelowna and are passionate about making a difference in our community by bringing their particular expertise to our organization. To learn more, check out our website at www.cmhakelowna.org

CMHA KELOWNA OFFERS YOU:

• A competitive hourly wage of $42.56-52.95
• Dental, Health & EAP Benefits
• RRSP matching program
• Vacation & Personal Health Days
• A workplace culture that fosters learning, transparency, trust and team work

As an employer, CMHA Kelowna strives to create a workplace that respects and values all individuals, minimizes bias, and promotes the equity, diversity, and inclusion of different perspectives and ideas. At CMHA Kelowna that means welcoming diversity in mental health, race, ethnicity, and culture. It also means diverse abilities, age, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, gender identities, education, marital status, language, and physical self-expression. These values are embedded in the work CMHA Kelowna does every day.

We appreciate and thank all applicants for their interest, however only short-listed candidates and those legally eligible to work in Canada will be contacted.

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