Are you looking to build your career in the community care space?
We are looking to hire purpose driven professionals who desire to serve and inspire others.
The Occupational Therapist (OT) in oncology and palliative care is an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team within a centre as well as in a home environment. You will facilitate and enable the client to achieve maximum functional performance, both physically and psychologically, in everyday living skills regardless of life expectancy. You will do this by making a comprehensive assessment, identifying life roles and activities (“occupations”) that are meaningful to clients, and addressing barriers to performing these activities. You will perform other professional duties associated with the care of the patient and work closely with family members and care-givers to ensure effective execution of prescribed therapy plans or programmes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assess physical function, activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs (iADLs) and psychosocial/behavioral health needs of the patient.
- Identify specific cancer related cognitive deficits affecting occupational roles, and providing compensatory training to successfully complete intended tasks.
- Focus on what is most important to the patient to accomplish, taking into consideration the available resources and support systems, as well as the environments in which the patient wants and is able to participate in. This includes aspects relating to work, rest, leisure and social activities.
- Ongoing screening and monitoring of performance deficits and improvements throughout survivorship to modify the ongoing multidisciplinary intervention plan to meet changing needs.
- Training on therapeutic range of motion exercises and modalities techniques to manage common cancer related impairments such as de quervain, trigger fingers and chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy
- Tailor an individualised lifestyle approach to allow participation in important roles such as parenting, managing the home and working. Strategies include, but are not limited to, conserving energy and managing fatigue; engaging in leisure activities; develop coping and problem solving skills.
- Develop and support the coping and caregiving skills of both the patient and the family/caregivers. Responsible for leading the decision-making process of selection, care and management of assistance aids and devices.
- Contribute to palliative and end of life care through maximising and facilitating:
- psychosocial/behavioural health;
- leisure and social participation (e.g. community outings);
- rest and sleep;
- caregiving; and
- optimising ADLs and iADLs (e.g. home modifications)
- Keep detailed and well-written records and other relevant documentation on patient’s activities and progress for patient evaluation.
- Create and provide accessible, efficient and seamless services including managing and developing his/her own clinical caseload.
- Develop and implement cancer rehabilitation initiatives related to occupational therapy in collaboration with the rehabilitation team, across disciplines and other relevant stakeholders.
- Contribute to the promotion of SCS cancer rehabilitation services and research initiatives and annual budgeting for disciplines related items
- Assist in training and supervising occupational therapists
Qualifications and Experience
- At least 5 years’ experience
- Degree in Occupational Therapy from an accredited university recognized by the Ministry of Health under the Allied Health Professions Act (AHPC)
- Full registration with AHPC
- Experience in working with cancer patients would be an advantage.
- Experience in congestive manual lymphedema drainage would be an advantage.
Competencies
- Processes oriented
- Good coaching skills
- Able to design new occupational rehabilitation initiatives
Attributes
- Able to extract issues from interactions/conversations with clients and families so that such matters can be looked into promptly by Rehab and Hospice Care teams.
- Able to effectively analyze, discuss with team mates and propose solutions to issues on hand
- Able to work effectively with doctors, nurses and other stakeholders in delivering optimal patient care and services
- Able to handle interpersonal challenges amicably
Languages Skills
- Bilingual and ability to communicate in local dialect is preferred
Skills
- Problem solving
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven ability to work both independently and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.
Computer & Software Literacy
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
- Ability to use statistical packages effectively would be an advantage
What is in it for you?
- Family care leave
- Flexi benefits that include optical and dental care
- Performance bonus and AWS
- Additional contributions made to your Medisave account
