Occupational Therapist

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority; Sioux Lookout; Hybrid; CAD 88,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive employment benefits

Job summary

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority is seeking an Occupational Therapist to provide assessment and intervention planning across clinic and community settings in the Sioux Lookout catchment. You will consult with nursing staff, home care coordinators, Band offices, schools, and other health professionals.

The OT will work to full scope, including home visits and community interventions, while maintaining professional standards and patient‑centered care.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy and current registration in good standing or eligibility in Ontario.
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen required.
• Must have a valid Driver’s License; travel by air/road required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience as a registered OT preferred.
• Experience in First Nations communities and ability to communicate in Sioux Lookout Zone dialects is an asset.
• Knowledge of NIHB and ADP is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Perform home safety assessments and educate clients on falls prevention.
• Coordinate home safety equipment orders with NIHB/ADP where applicable.
• Prepare letters of support for home modifications and submit to Band Office.
• Educate clients and caregivers on proper use of assistive devices.
• Conduct ergonomic assessments and assist with return‑to‑work planning.
• Provide self‑management strategies for chronic disease and injury prevention.
• Educate families and caregivers about diagnoses and functional impacts.
• Perform cognitive, mobility and pediatric assessments with families.
• Develop individualized, evidence‑based treatment plans.
• Collaborate with physicians, allied health professionals and community stakeholders.
• Advocate for clients with ODSP, NIHB and third‑party programs.
• Maintain confidential records per PHIPA and PIPEDA.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Clinical reasoning

Assessment and therapeutic skills

Time management

Evidence-informed practice

Problem solving

Wheelchair/equipment knowledge

Education

Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy

OT registration in Ontario

Criminal Record Check (VSS)

Valid Driver’s License

3+ years registered OT experience

NIHB/ADP knowledge a plus

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic Medical Records

Job description

Job Summary

The Sioux Lookout Area Primary Care Team (SLAPCT) provides primary health care to clients in Sioux Lookout Region including the communities in the Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) catchment area. SLAPCT primary health care services encompass health promotion, disease prevention, and chronic disease management.

Under the Sioux Lookout Area Primary Care Team (SLAPCT), the Occupational Therapist (OT) will provide assessment and intervention planning for clients and caregivers, while working to develop community-based initiatives. The OT will consult with key stakeholders such as nursing station staff, home care coordinators, Band office, school system, equipment vendors and other allied health professionals. The OT will work to their full scope of practice providing support to individuals of all ages in clinical and community settings.

The OT is a key part of the patient circle of care and will work to their full scope of practice. Responsibilities will include the provision of safe and competent care through the application of professional knowledge, technical aspects of professional practice and the demonstration of compassion, professionalism, and respect. The OT will work with all ages, in both the clinic environment and communities providing home visits and interventions within patients’ homes.

The Occupational Therapist is directly accountable to the PCT Pod Manager.

Salary Range

$88,049 - $113,338/annual. $48.379 - $62.274/hour. Annual travel stipend available.

Position Type

Full-time

Posting Type

This job posting is for an existing vacancy.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy
• Current registration in good standing, or eligibility for licensure, with The College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
• Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Screen
• Valid Driver’s License as travel via air and road is a requirement
• Minimum of 3 years working experience as a registered Occupational Therapist, preferred
• Knowledge of the Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) Program and Assistive Devices Program (ADP) would be an asset
• Travel via air and road is a requirement.
• Experience working in a First Nations community and ability to communicate in one of the First Nations dialects of the Sioux Lookout Zone would be an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Computer literate with basic knowledge of Microsoft Office and experience working with electronic medical records
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary team and community stakeholders
• Demonstrates clinical reasoning skills and excellent assessment and therapeutic skills
• Strong problem solving, decision‑making and time management skills
• Knowledgeable and proficient in current evidence‑informed practices
• The ability to perform the requirements of the position on a regular basis.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Complete home safety assessments and educate clients on falls prevention
• Prescribe and coordinate home safety equipment orders in conjunction with vendor and/or NIHB and request interim loan through community Home Care Coordinator
• Write letters of support and recommendation for home modification/renovation and submit to community Band Office
• Teach and train clients on proper usage of assistive devices and home safety equipment
• Conduct ergonomic assessments, recommend workplace modifications and/or assist with the development of return-to-work plans
• Educate, coach, and empower clients with self‑management strategies to prevent injury and/or cope with chronic disease conditions
• Educate clients, family members, and caregivers about the impact of diagnoses on functional activities and empower them to be active participants in the treatment and recovery processes
• Perform, evaluate, and interpret cognitive assessments and consult with key stakeholders
• Conduct mobility assessment and Assistive Device Program assessments
• Coach, counsel and motivate individuals with mental health conditions to be autonomous in performing [instrumental] activities of daily living (ADLs, IADLs) and engage in meaningful occupations
• Conduct fine/gross motor, developmental, sensory, and visuo‑spatial assessments for pediatric clients (0‑18 years) and collaborate with families, caregivers and teachers to implement appropriate intervention plans
• Write letters of support and recommendation for pediatric assistive devices and submit funding applications
• Provide individualized treatment plans to develop, maintain, or augment function using evidence‑based treatment modalities.
• Assess impact of chronic upper extremity orthopedic conditions using range of motion (ROM), manual muscle testing (MMT), grip strength, two‑point discrimination and dynamic performance analyses
• Develop a rehabilitation program in collaboration with the client which may include home exercise program (HEP), hot/cold modalities, ultrasound, positioning, and/or bracing
• Assess functional impact of cognitive‑neurological conditions (e.g., stroke), coordinate appropriate supports for client and provide realistic self‑management strategies
• Collaborate and consult with allied health professionals, physicians and other health care providers to promote integrated and coordinated care
• Advocate for clients and complete funding requests via Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Jordan’s Principle, Non‑Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) and/or Third‑Party Organizations
• Exercise care and caution in protecting and maintaining confidential client records as per the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Acts (PIPEDA)
• Completes client charts and reports in a timely fashion and maintains client records as per college guidelines and SLAPCT policies and procedures
• Completion of continuous quality improvement activities
• Completes reports after each community visit (i.e.# of community members seen, planning/clinical meetings, meetings with leadership).

Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority focuses on hiring Indigenous employees whenever possible.

Candidates are encouraged to self‑identify on their application. Self‑identification is voluntary and the information is used to assist SLFNHA in hiring Indigenous people from the region whenever possible and to support candidates in their application.

We offer competitive and comprehensive employment benefits to Full‑Time employees: