Occupational Therapist Primary Care

Come work as an Occupational Therapist with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)! Relocation Assistance may be available.

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an Occupational Therapist to join the Primary Care Network Team working out of Powell River BC. Reporting to the Manager of qathet Home and Community Care in partnership and collaboration with the Tlaamin Nation Health Director this role will work out of the Tlaamin Nation Health Centre and will support the nurse practitioners and other interdisciplinary team members to increase comprehensive coordinated provision of primary care services to Tlaamin Nation citizens and other Indigenous clients in qathet. The Tlaamin Nation is a modern forward thinking self-governing nation located on the beautiful upper Sunshine Coast (qathet Region). Apply today to join our team!

As an Occupational Therapist with VCH you will:

• Provide occupational therapy services to enable patients/clients to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with the Primary Care Provider in accordance with the local PCN care delivery model as co-designed by the PCN Partners (local Division of Family Practice VCH Community of Care and First Nations Partners).
• Assess a patient/clients occupational performance issues needs and goals utilizing an evidence-based approach to plan and implement goal-directed services and contribute to the development of the care plan.
• In collaboration with the patient/client and interdisciplinary team provide continuity of care by liaising with team members coordinate ongoing care (internal and external) support transitions and navigating services.
• As required contribute to the organization and delivery of occupational therapy services and participates in departmental/program quality improvement initiatives meetings research and education.

ABOUT PRIMARY CARE NETWORKS:

Primary Care Networks (PCN) will be the backbone of the provincial Primary Health-Care Strategy. This new model of care is enabled and managed locally through a partnership between Health Authorities Divisions of Family Practice and First Nations communities. PCNs include multi-disciplinary teams of nurses pharmacists and allied health professionals working alongside and supporting family physicians nurse practitioners at primary care offices Primary Care Community Health Centres Urgent and Primary Care centres and services delivered by not-for-profit community health partners. PCNs are expected to provide patients and primary care providers with strong effective links to hospitals and diagnostic service providers.

Team members involved in the patients care will work closely together so that they can get a full picture of the health care needs. Under the new structure patients will be able to more quickly and easily access a full range of health care options have the ability to have a regular family physician or nurse practitioner and access to more health team members.

Adopting team based care approach in Primary Care Networks aims to increase patients access to primary care services strengthen the ability of existing physicians to expand - or remain in - their practice and broaden the set of specific skills and expertise available to patients as they are receiving care. And it will ensure that the systems and tools required to make that care function are in place and are well supported in the patients journey to better health.

ABOUT POWELL RIVER BC

On the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia where endless green mountains meet sheltered Pacific Ocean waters Powell River provides a stimulating blend of outdoor adventure and cultural amenities. Originally founded as a resource extraction centre - once home to the worlds largest pulp and paper mill - Powell River now offers adventurers countless opportunities for kayaking canoeing rock climbing golfing boating hiking biking fishing and scuba diving. This area is host to world-class art galleries tremendous dining opportunities and memorable events and festivals.

On the doorstep of both Vancouver and Vancouver Island the Powell River region offers an array of experiences for travelers of all kinds no matter the season. Experience the legendary Sunshine Coast Trail and Powell Forest Canoe Route rock-climb the Eldred Valley snowshoe in the Knuckleheads; this is the adventure destination youve long been waiting for.

Education & Experience

• Degree in Occupational Therapy from a recognized program.
• Current full registration as an Occupational Therapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
• Two (2) years recent related clinical experience relevant to the designated clinical area or an equivalent combination of education training and experience.
• Valid B.C. drivers license and access to a vehicle.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Working knowledge of occupational therapy theory and practice including the application of standardized tests/tools and measures.
• Working knowledge of the determinants of health and health promotion principles and practices.
• Working knowledge of community health agencies and available community resources.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully analyze situations problem solve and facilitate resolutions.
• Demonstrated ability to plan implement evaluate and modify rehabilitation services
• Demonstrated ability to prescribe and/or recommend a variety of self-aids and rehabilitation equipment.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct relevant assessments per established standards of practice.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower patient/clients to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to unexpected events problem-solve set priorities and deal with conflict.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to independently plan organize and prioritize workload.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to plan/deliver/evaluate health education for individuals and groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team based care model
  Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required
• Demonstrated ability to support seamless transition in care.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships with patient/clients caregiver(s) and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective service in a variety of community settings and with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety
• Demonstrated computer skills including the ability to effectively use a computerized documentation system.
• Working knowledge of research and quality improvement process and methodology.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes.

As per Ministry of Health policy all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care research and teaching delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH we embrace thinking boldly taking smart risks and going first when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package including MSP extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports including counselling critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices diverse teams and inclusive environments which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BCs Top Employers Canadas Best Diversity Employers and Canadas Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.