Clinical Service Leader - Occupational Therapy

Position Overview

Provides clinical supervision of occupational therapy staff, rehabilitation/occupational therapy assistants and participates in the clinical supervision of occupational therapy students, rehabilitation assistant students or students of other healthcare professions.

Under the direction of the Manager (or Designate), the incumbent is responsible for:

• Supervising the daily clinical service delivery and environment/operational issues in a designated service area whereby the nature and scope of the work performed, the size of the staff population supervised, and the activities occurring and the variety of issues/problems arising are of a complex and variable nature requiring a higher-level of decision-making, problem-solving and judgment with considerable latitude to exercise same.
• Providing guidance to occupational therapists and support staff within the designated service area through clinical leadership, mentoring, supervision, education, evaluation and research.
• Contributing to the delivery of quality occupational therapy services by examining, developing, refining and evaluating the body of knowledge and clinical practices and assisting in program planning, development and evaluation.
• Assisting with performance appraisals and recruitment, as well as coordinating clinical work schedules, caseloads and service rotations.
• Maintaining a partial to full clinical caseload and collaborating with clients through assessment, interventions, follow-up, planning and designing of services to meet occupational performance goals, support healthy lifestyles, prevent illness and disability and promote health.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of recent Occupational Therapy experience in a large complex environment with at least two years in the designated service area required.
• Previous supervisory experience required.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Entry-to-practice academic credential in Occupational Therapy from an accredited Canadian university program or the approved equivalent if internationally educated as determined by the College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba (COTM).
• Post-graduate research degree in Occupational Therapy or related field, or other post-graduate degree relevant to the position, preferred.

SPECIAL TRAINING:

• Training in fiscal and human resource management preferred.
• Completion of, and ongoing participation in, relevant continuing professional education in designated clinical area and in other areas as needed to address continuing education requirements for the position.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Registration is required with the College of Occupational Therapists of Manitoba (COTM) with the incumbent’s name entered in the practicing register.
• Membership with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and the Manitoba Society of Occupational Therapists preferred.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training requirements for this position shall be in accordance with the Employer policy.

Qualifications and Skills

• Works within MHC’s core values, philosophy, vision, CQI goals, policies and procedures.
• Ability to function as an effective member of an interdisciplinary team, including collaboration, team work and good communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
• Demonstrated effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other disciplines.
• Demonstrated professional judgment and initiative.
• Knowledge of the physical, social, cultural and economic aspects of client care.
• Demonstrated effective organizational, interpersonal, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, conflict resolution and decision-making skills.
• Ability to adapt to new concepts, techniques and best practice in the academic and clinical fields of healthcare knowledge.
• Working knowledge of computer software programs, i.e.,  word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and email required.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office.
• General knowledge of the regulations and scope of practice documents that guide the practice of Occupational Therapy and relevant support workers such as Rehabilitation Assistants.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and mentoring skills.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of evidence informed and evidence-based practice.
• Working knowledge of research/program evaluation methodology.
• Ability to perform both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to critically evaluate and apply relevant knowledge to practice.
• Ability to function in a demanding and stressful environment.
• Ability to initiate, support and implement change.
• Ability to delegate appropriately and monitor outcomes of delegation.
• Ability to prioritize workload and attend to operations in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated commitment to continued professional development.
• Working knowledge of healthcare administration and systems and integrated hospital information systems, e.g., Occupational Therapy workload measurement system.
• Understanding of the vision and strategic directions of the region, facility/program and profession.

Physical Requirements

• Must demonstrate adequate strength, agility, motor coordination and dexterity for implementation of therapeutic techniques and manipulation of therapeutic activities as appropriate to the service area.
• May be required to work evenings or weekends.
• May be required to occasionally work extended hours.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases, blood and body fluids, toxic materials, noise, allergens, physical and emotional stress.
• May encounter aggressive and/or agitated clients/visitors/staff.