Therapy Assistant - Rehabilitation Oncology

Cancer Care Alberta (CCA) services are provided by a team of health care professionals dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing support and expert care from the time of cancer diagnosis through treatment and beyond by leaders in cancer diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care. The Rehabilitation Oncology team of OT, PT, SLP and TA collaborate with each other and with other health care professionals to develop and offer services, programming and patient education. The responsibility for this casual Therapy Assistant position will be to across both inpatient and outpatient disciplines at the Cross Cancer Institute. The TA position is responsible to assist with the delivery and advancement of direct patient care therapeutic programs and treatment techniques (1:1, group classes and virtual) as determined by the therapist for cancer-related impairments as determined by PT, OT and SLP services, including: Muscle strengthening, endurance, stretching, range of motion, support functional ADLs, cognition, ambulation and stair management for cancer-related impairments, including but not limited to, chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy, cording, neurological impairments, head and neck cancer, breast cancer, as well as other cancers. Assist with lymphedema management by bandaging patients using single or multilayered compression bandaging, teaching upper/lower extremity bandaging techniques, documenting bandaging adjustments, perometry measurement of patients, and teaching self-lymphatic massage techniques. Assist patients with transfers and mobilization with or without aides, including management of oxygen. Use of modalities. Ordering/maintaining department inventory/equipment and supplies.

As a Therapy Assistant, you will work both individually and as part of an interprofessional team under the assignment, monitoring and evaluation of an audiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, recreation therapist or speech-language pathologist. You will contribute to effective and efficient rehabilitation services including direct and indirect client care across the health care continuum (healthy living, getting better, living with illness and disability, end of life care) for all ages as well as non-client service provision. This role will require you to work effectively with internal and external partners, and display professionalism and strong ethics in both client centered care and participation in care teams. You will demonstrate evidence of reflective thinking and lifelong learning that enhances individual and team competency. You will have opportunities to use your interpersonal and clinical skills in contributing to quality improvement, program planning and student supervision.

Completion of diploma from an accredited post-secondary rehabilitation Therapy Assistant program or equivalent training may be considered.

Current Heart and Stroke Basic Life Support (BLS- HCP) certification. It’s Your Move Patient Handling certification. Diploma from Interdisciplinary Therapy Assistant Program - including Physiotherapy Assistant, Occupational Therapy Assistant and Speech Language Pathology Assistant. Minimum one (1) year clinical experience within the last five (5) years in an inpatient or outpatient acute care or rehabilitation area. Minimum one (1) year clinical experience within the last five (5) years in providing therapy assistant support for in: OT or PT or SLP in an interdisciplinary team. Experience facilitating groups. Experience providing virtual patient care (phone/Zoom). Intermediate - advanced computer skills: Microsoft Office Suite and Connect Care/EPIC. This position is physically demanding and requires repetitive lifting, twisting and transferring of patients (including bariatric) and/or equipment. You may be required to sit for prolonged periods and perform keyboarding/ computer and headset use.

Minimum (1) one year experience in working with oncology or palliative patients. Professional development in last year related to rehabilitation oncology. Lymphedema experience or certification. Experience with splint finishing/sewing/adaptive aids and equipment. Ability to demonstrate critical thinking and decision making skills, in a complex environment. Effective self-management and time management skills paired with initiative.