Occupational Therapist, Community (permanent Full Time)

Do you want to work for a health care organization that changes people's lives? One that not only cares deeply about clients, but also values that its employees are its greatest asset?

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada is a unique health services organization that serves people who are blind or partially sighted across the country. Our certified specialists provide training that empowers clients to develop or to restore activities of daily living skills, to promote their independence, to enhance safety and mobility. We collaborate closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists, and other health care professionals, by providing essential care on a referral basis in homes, workplaces, and communities across the country.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, flexible schedules, and opportunities for professional development and growth.
For more information about Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, please visit visionlossrehab.Position Title: Occupational Therapist
Term: Full-time, Permanent
Reports To: Provincial Manager, Healthcare Operations
training and intervention strategies; Vision Loss Rehabilitation services are based upon a person–centred approach provided to clients, their families and careers within OT scope of practice and relative to proven vision related competencies.
Assess the client's capacity to independently participate in activities of daily living (self-care), and instrumental activities of daily living in a variety of settings: private homes, senior's residence, long term care facilities, group homes, and performs an analysis based on objective, subjective and functional findings.
Provide both individual and group OT training/intervention programs to achieve maximum independence and participation in activities appropriate to the client’s needs and capabilities.
Assess, plan and coordinate environmental and/or task modifications according to client’s needs.
Establishes realistic, measurable and time limited goals and develops a rehabilitation plan.
Provides direct programming and/or support and teaching to informal caregivers, and other health care professionals involved.
Participates in case conferences when required and consults with other members of the health care team in fostering a holistic approach to care.
Completes reassessments to review client’s progress, goals and reports to other members of the health care team in order to ensure continuity of care and determine if other resources and referrals are required.
Provides consultation, public education, and in-service training as required.
Completes documentation and maintains appropriate client records in accordance with the standards of the College of Occupational Therapists within a specified jurisdiction and VLRC policies and procedures.
Provide/advise on low-vision techniques and strategies to improve their occupational performance on daily activities and improve quality of life.
Reinforces, monitors, or teaches adaptive skills for independent living in areas of personal management, household management, communication, leisure activities, travel skills, and technology.
Reinforces, monitors, or teaches concept development, spatial and sensory awareness, mobility aids and environmental assessments.
Acts as a resource for service providers, school personnel, long term care facilities and community by providing educational programs as requested.
Attends and participates actively in occupational therapy team meetings as appropriate and general staff meetings.
Prioritizes services in accordance with the VLRC Waiting List Management Policy.
Interacts with clients, their family, and caregivers to develop and identify vision related goals and develop early intervention and rehabilitation programs, and support families to follow through on recommendations.

• Builds and maintains good working relationships with professionals in other agencies and community groups.
• Advocates on the client’s behalf in healthcare settings etc. Instructs and supervises students (and Occupational Therapy Assistants where applicable) to work with clients.

Position utilizes problem solving abilities related to implementing and developing intervention and therapy as part of the client’s vision rehabilitation plan.

• Problem solving involved in adapting services, materials, and equipment to address the needs of individuals with complex health conditions.
• Sensitivity and awareness of cultural, religious, mental health needs and/or emotional support.

Decision making based on training and experience collaborating with individuals with visual impairments, and individual assessment and reassessment, to develop an appropriate service plan.

• Judgment is utilized for making decisions about method, schedule, and type of assessment and programming required.
• This position is itinerant, requiring frequent visits to homes, workplaces, and community settings.

Provides leadership and guidance when training and supervising rehabilitation assistants, students, and community.

• Degree or diploma in Occupational Therapy and current certificate of registration with the College of Occupational Therapists within a specified jurisdiction.
• Related professional experience which would normally be attained over a period of two years in an Occupational Therapy role.
• Related experience in a community-based setting is an asset.
• Previous Stroke Rehab experience is preferred.
• Experience supervising support personnel an asset.
• Ability to utilize computer and software programs.
• Knowledge of English and French is required

Master of Occupational Therapy Degree.

• Current practicing member of the designated provincial Occupational Therapy regulatory body.
• Willingness to undertake professional development in vision rehabilitation skills and techniques.

Willingness to work flexible hours.

• Willingness to work in a variety of settings (in client home, outdoors, daycare, etc.).
• Travel is required, must possess a valid driver's license.

We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, people who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.Direct lived experience would be a definite asset.
VLRC is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process.