Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist Assistant - Early Learning and Development (ON, Toronto)

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital; Toronto; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is seeking an Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist Assistant to support children in nursery school settings. This full-time role involves administering therapeutic programs, collaborating with an interprofessional team, and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for children aged 30 months to 4 years.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1-year pediatric experience required.
• Experience working with children aged birth to 5 years preferred.
• Experience in a play-based setting is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Administers programs developed by the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist.
• Maintains communication with supervising therapist and monitors client progress.
• Assists clients with activities of daily living and nursery school transitions.

Skills

Communication

Time Management

Collaboration

Initiative

Education

Graduate of an accredited Canadian community college OTA/PTA program

Training in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certification

Job description

Join us in building a world of possibility! Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital is Canada’s largest pediatric rehabilitation hospital, and a top 40 Canadian research hospital. Serving over 8,500 families annually in both inpatient and outpatient programs and services, Holland Bloorview is renowned for its expertise in partnering with clients and families to provide exceptional care and is the only organization to ever achieve 100 per cent in three successive quality surveys by Accreditation Canada.

Holland Bloorview’s vision is to support the most meaningful and healthy futures for all children, youth and families. We are an academic hospital, fully affiliated with the University of Toronto. All clinical staff are expected to contribute to the academic agenda through one or more of the following activities: supervising students, teaching, academic service, scholarship and research.

The Early Learning and Development department is seeking an Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist Assistant (OTA/PTA)to work in the nursery school sites. These two sites are located in Scarborough and central Toronto. The nursery schools serve children 30 months to 4 years and their families.

Our nursery school programs integrate children with and without disabilities, and promote awareness, support and understanding of inclusion for all children.

Our philosophy:

• All children benefit from an early learning environment that supports each child’s abilities and respects the importance of family.
• We lead and guide all children through natural play-based activities to achieve their personal best.

This exceptional role provides opportunities to develop and use a wide range of skills and to work as a valued member of an interprofessional team including early childhood educators, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech language pathologist, behavior analyst, resource consultant and music specialist.

This is a full-time position of 35 hours per week (7 hours per day). Please see the “Operations” section for detailed shift information.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direct supervision of an Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist, the Occupational Therapist /PhysiotherapistAssistant (OTA/PTA):

• Administers programs developed by the Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist to individual clients, or groups of clients such as fine motor, cognitive groups, wheelchair and/or gait aid training, gross motor groups, strengthening, range of motion exercises, etc.
• Maintains communication with supervising therapist. Monitors and reports any change or adverse reaction to treatment or prescribed program plan.
• Applies and monitors prescribed devices; fabricates, modifies and repairs devices such as splints, orthoses, aids, or assistive devices as indicated by the supervising therapist.
• Sets up and instructs clients, families, staff, and students on appropriate classroom equipment such as seating, wheelchairs/strollers, gait aids, tricycles/bicycles.
• Assists clients with activities of daily living, group work, lifting and transferring clients.
• Assists clients with nursery school transitions, pickups and delivers supplies, equipment, etc. as requested.
• Assists with wheelchair, seating, walker and gait aid set-up and maintenance as required.
• Regularly inspects treatment spaces for cleanliness, safety and adequate supplies.
• Maintains clean, safe, operational equipment and makes recommendations for new equipment based upon program needs.
• Works with the Preventative Maintenance Technician to conduct an annual safety inspection of all therapy equipment and wheelchairs. Arranges for repairs/replacements as required.
• Bases practice on established policies and procedures.
• Practice and document according to organizational policies and standards for practice as set out by Holland Bloorview.
• Contribute to the organization's academic mission through student supervision and/or academic teaching and/or contribution to research.
• Attend monthly Practice Council meetings and other hospital/department specific meetings and committees.
• In partnership with clients/families and the interdisciplinary team, provides client and family-centred care which is goal directed, evidence based and outcome oriented.
• Supports and respects the client/family’s rights to make decisions based on their own values, beliefs and experiences.
• Promotes and supports the physical, psychosocial and spiritual well-being of clients and families
• Collaborates with the client/family to plan, implement and evaluate care.
• Other duties as assigned.

Operations

• The two Nursery School programs operate from September to June annually (10 months). Closed for summer break (July, August), 2 weeks winter break (December),1 week March break (March) and Easter Monday.
• Shift time in the nursery schools is 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Quality and Safety

• Maintain current knowledge and training in Holland Bloorview’s emergency procedures.
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, support the maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment and advance a culture of client safety through work and daily practices.
• Adheres to all Holland Bloorview, Ministry of Education, and City of Toronto Children’s Services policy and protocols related to child care operations.

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

Education & Training

• Graduate of an accredited Canadian community college OTA/PTA program
• Training in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certification an asset

Experience

• Minimum 1-year pediatric experience required
• Previous work with children aged birth to 5 years is preferred
• Experience working in a play-based setting is an asset

Skills

• Demonstrates ability to work independently under the guidance of the supervising Occupational Therapist/ Physiotherapist.
• Demonstrated ability to organize time, manage fluctuating clinical responsibilities and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with ECEs, families, clients, community members, other members of the interprofessional care team, external agencies and vendors.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively as a member of an interprofessional team is essential.
• Demonstrates initiative and self-direction regarding equipment maintenance, safety and cleaning
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development.

Other Requirements

Upon hire, staff are required to complete:

• a Vulnerable Sector Check with their local police service (completed at own expense)
• an Occupational Health Review including documentation of tuberculosis (TB) testing and vaccination status as per the Child Care Early Years Acy (CCEYA)
• Current Basic Cardiac Life Support Certificate - Basic Rescuer (C) as per the Child Care Early Years Acy (CCEYA). If you do not have a current certification, you will be required to obtain it in a timely manner at your own time and expense
• New staff orientation at hospital site

Physical and Environmental Demands

• The nursery schools are fast paced lively environments, requiring agility and considerable physical activity including significant walking, bending, lifting, pushing/pulling, and physical interventions to maintain safety, participation and goal obtainment of children within the learning and/or home environment.
• Required to lift/carry materials, resources and/or children weighing up to 50 lbs
• Exposure to childhood illnesses and bodily fluids

Sensory demands

• Noise generated within a classroom setting
• Sights and smells associated with physical care of children

DISCLAIMER: This job description represents only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks and duties. The responsibilities, tasks and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in this job description. Other duties, as assigned, may become part of the job.