Physiotherapist - Priority Home Services

Position Overview

Provides quality physiotherapy services including consultation, client assessment, physiotherapy diagnosis, intervention planning, implementation and evaluation, discharge planning and follow-up in order to maintain optimal function, prevent disability and promote well-being. Provides education and guidance to other healthcare providers. Provides clinical supervision and training for students and participates in the education of other healthcare professionals upon request. Maintains professional accountability, professional judgment and reasoning with a high level of communication and collaboration.

The Priority Home Service is a centralized Home Care service team that provides short term intensive case management, rehabilitation, restorative care and other necessary supports for up to 90 days at a time when a client requires a temporary increase of service. Home Care services will be provided to clients who have been in hospital and who are eligible and/or waiting for LTC placement or are otherwise at risk. The service will also provide short term support to clients deemed as community urgent or for those needing urgent placement directly from the emergency department. The objectives of this team will be to enable clients to remain in their home for as long as possible and when required, transition to LTC from the community as opposed to waiting for this placement while in hospital. The model also helps family caregivers continue in their caregiving role for as long as safely possible. Once a person no longer requires Priority Home Services, they may be able to return to their pre-existing home care service that will facilitate their activities of daily living and support their health needs. This team will facilitate seamless and timely transition of clients from hospital to home in partnership with the regular home care program and where indicated to LTC according to client need(s).

As a team member of the Priority Home Service, the Physiotherapist (PT) is primarily responsible for providing clinical services. The PT will collaborate with the interprofessional community team to support client’s care needs and provide physiotherapy assessment, direct and indirect treatment; recommendations for client, family and team; assign tasks to a Rehabilitation Assistant where appropriate and complete ongoing monitoring of assigned RA program(s).

Experience

• Minimum of two years recent and related acute or rehabilitation hospital, and/or community-based service delivery experience required within relevant professional designation.
• Recent and relevant clinical experience preferred.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Entry-to-practice academic credential in physiotherapy from an accredited Canadian university program or the approved equivalent if internationally educated.
• Where required by provincial licensing, must successfully have completed the written component of the Physiotherapy Competency exam and must successfully complete the requirements for Active Practice Register within 2 years of completing the written exam.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Must be registered on the Active Practice Register of the College of Physiotherapists of Manitoba. Registration on the Exam Candidate Register may be considered.
• Membership with the Canadian Physiotherapy Association preferred.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training requirements for this position shall be in accordance with the WRHA policy.

Qualifications and Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
• Must have effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work cooperatively with other disciplines and demonstrate professional judgment and initiative.
• Knowledge of the physiological, social, cultural and economic aspects of client care.
• Ability to organize and complete assignments with a minimum of supervision.
• Willingness to adapt to new concepts, techniques and best practice in the academic and clinical fields of healthcare and education knowledge.
• Computer literacy as appropriate to the setting.

Physical Requirements

• Must be in good physical and mental health and be able to stand or walk for extended periods of time without resting.
• Must demonstrate the use of safe and effective body mechanics while working with clients.
• Must be able to safely transfer large and/or heavy clients who may have limited or no weight bearing capabilities.
• Must demonstrate adequate motor coordination or dexterity for implementation of therapeutic techniques and manipulation of therapeutic activities as necessary.
• 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.