Friday 28 February 2014

ECS Occupational Therapist for Greater St Albert Catholic School Division

ECS Occupational Therapist
Greater St. Albert Catholic School Division

(Morinville, Legal and St. Albert)
 

Occupational Therapist

Full time - 35 hours per week (part time may be considered)
 
An Occupational Therapist is required to work with children at the ECS, both at the Preschool and Kindergarten level. The successful candidate will work as a member of a trans-disciplinary team to support and provide service to children aged 2-1/2 to 5 -1/2 years of age.
 
Duties Commence: Immediately, Competition closes  March 3rd 4 pm
 
Qualifications & Duties:
  • Committed to being a model and witness to Christ-centered education values and beliefs.
  • Bachelor or Masters degree in Occupational Therapy and registered member of ACOT
  • Responsible for assessment and I.P.P. development in motor, self-care and sensory and/or social-emotional regulation areas.
  • Responsible for planning classroom and group activities to work on IPP goals.
  • Work with children and families in their homes or at school, carrying out family-oriented visits.
  • Collaborate with team re: children’s skills and strategies.
  • Experience working with young children with diverse needs
  • High energy level and ability to lift, move and physically support children in play
  • Strong philosophy of learning through play for young children.
  • Excellent organizational skills, written and verbal reporting skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with team members.
  • Familiar with a variety of technology and equipment supports to assist learning (e.g. Boardmaker software).
  • Experience with positive behavior supports for young children.
  • Ability to provide own transportation to a variety of school locations.  
 
As part of our application process, all applicants are required to complete a Support Insight Assessment. This is located online here.  If you have already completed the SupportInsight assessment, it is not necessary to do so again however your application is considered incomplete without this information. Once you have accessed the website, on the left side of the screen, under First Time Applicants, click on the 'Register' button. Enter District Code 20659856. For more information on this assessment, go here

For more information on this position please contact:
Kate Yelle Watt
Early Learning Consultant
Phone: (780) 459-7734
Email: kawatt@gsacrd.ab.ca

Note: Although all applications are appreciated, only candidates who are selected for interviews will be contacted.

Edmonton Group Meeting on March 6th!

Edmonton Pediatric Interest Group Meeting
Thursday, March 6, 2014
            7 pm – 8:30 pm
 
Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Main Campus
Room 3-01/3-07

Presenter:
 Sara Hastings from Little Wonders Yoga will present on yoga practice for kids. She will also lead us in a short yoga sequence that could be used with children. Please bring a yoga mat, if you have one and wear comfortable clothes. Participation is in the yoga sequence is optional.

Discussion:
 
Do you use alternative therapies to help enhance your practice?  Please come prepared to share any experiences or any new products/therapy tools you have been using in your practice.
 
Please bring a small contribution ($2-$5) to cover costs.

Looking forward to seeing you next Thursday!

AHS Edmonton Peds OT positions

Hello everyone;
We have a few pediatric OT positions coming up on our team!
The first 3 were posted on Feb 26th on the AHS website, and the last will be posted on February 28th.
·         0.5 Regular part time position at Rutherford (south)
·         1.0 Temporary full time position at Rutherford (mat leave)
·         0.5 Temporary part time position at WJP (mat leave)
·         0.5 Regular position at WJP (west end)

Our team serves children birth to 5 years with a community rehabilitation focus on early identification and intervention, as well as health promotion.  Based in public health centres we see children who often who do not have a diagnosis at the time of referral.  

Please contact me if you want more information about any of the positions; please also share with anyone who might be interested, but not connected through this interest group.

Many, many thanks!
Liz

 Liz Mathew, BScOT, OT(c) 
email:  Liz.Mathew2@albertahealthservices.ca

Wednesday 19 February 2014

Sheila Frick Advanced Course Earlybird Deadline coming up

Thank you for the amazing interest in the upcoming Sheila Frick Advanced Course April 4 & 5.  We wanted to take this opportunity to remind you of the upcoming early bird deadline.  Please have your registrations and payment postmarked byFebruary 28, 2014 to secure a spot and the rate of $450.  Sheila has requested this conference be smaller so that there is more hands on information available, as a result there will only be 50 seats.

Please note, if it is easier, etransfers will be accepted (contact Carol directly).

If there are any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact either of us! 


Krista Plosz
growingskills@gmail.com

Carol Vickery
kids4ot@gmail.com


Tuesday 18 February 2014

Full Time OTA Position

Black Gold Regional Division is hiring a temporary full time support staff from March 1 till the end of June to work under the direction of OT and PT.  This position is posted as an Education Assistant position but is open to therapy assistants, education assistants or those with equivalent experience and/or training.  Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume within the week.  For the full job posting, see: http://www.blackgold.ca/index.php/news/alberta-health-services-influenza-letter/education-assistant-temporary-full-time-position-student-services-central-office/

Please forward this information to your networks.  This is a great opportunity to increase OT supports within the school system! 

Monday 10 February 2014

International Association of Orofacial Myology 2014 Conference

Information found at their website   http://iaom2014.com/event-info/

Fine Motor Spring Camp in May 2014

A 4 week fun and interactive camp for children in Kindergarden and grades 1 - 3 who find printing, using scissors or other fine motor activities challenging. The camp will be run by experienced pediatric occupational therapists. A multi-sensory approach will be used along with co-operative games and crafts to practice the skills needed for hand functioning. This camp is designed for children who may be experiencing mild to moderate delays in fine motor development or who would benefit from extra practice.

The camp places an emphasis on grasp development, formation of letters, legibility, review of lower case, copying, using school tools (scissors, glue) in hand manipulation skills, eye hand coordination and strength. This includes a summary report identifying individual children's strengths, areas of need, and suggestions for further skill development.


This camp will use a multi-sensory approach combining fine and gross motor movement to enhance learning. Parents are welcome to attend the first of the 4 sessions in order to help their child feel more at ease in the group and to learn how to support their child with printing practice at home.

Time: Printing Basics: 10:00 am - 11:30 am weekly (Saturdays: May 3, 10, 24, 31). Note:there is no class on May long weekend.

Cost: $250.00

Where: Highlands Community Centre: 6112 - 113 Avenue Edmonton, AB

Contact: Rebecca Summach at 780.965.4310 or email growingchanges@gmail.com to register.

Note: OT services may be covered depending on health plan and are tax deductible.

Friday 7 February 2014

Edmonton OT Pediatric Interest Group Meeting March 6th

We are excited to announce our first Edmonton Pediatric Interest Group meeting of 2014!
 
When: Thursday, March 6, 2014
            7 pm – 8:30 pm
 
Where: Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Main Campus
             Room 3-01/3-07
 
** Thanks to Dr. Joyce Magill-Evans and her staff for their support of our group and in providing a space for us to meet**
 
Presenter:
 
Sara Hastings from Little Wonders Yoga http://www.littlewondersyoga.ca
 
Sara will give a presentation on her Yoga practice for Kids. Sara has been a registered Yoga Alliance Teacher, since 2005. In October 2009, she completed the highly acclaimed yoga for children program, YogaKids, and is very proud to hold the designation of a Certified YogaKids International Facilitator.  Sara is very passionate about helping parents to integrate yoga into everyday experiences and use creativity such as books to help children participate in a yoga practice. She knows the profound effects of yoga and works to enrich the lives of children through her classes.  Sara will discuss some basic poses for children, breathing for regulation, and how to bring yoga into a child’s day.  She will lead us in a short yoga sequence that could be used with children. Please bring a yoga mat, if you have one and wear comfortable clothes. Participation is in the yoga sequence is optional.
 
Discussion:
 
Do you use alternative therapies to help enhance your practice?  Please come prepared to share any experiences or any new products/therapy tools you have been using in your practice.
 
Please bring a small contribution ($2-$5) to cover costs.
Hope to see you all there!

Developing a Sensory Lens to Enhance Your Paediatric Practice

Ellen Yack and Associates Present:
 
Developing a Sensory Lens to Enhance Your Paediatric Practice
 
May 1 & 2, 2014

There is growing demand for the application of sensory integration theory in all areas of paediatric occupational therapy practice. Whether consulting in schools or day cares, providing home care or treating children in public or private clinics, occupational therapists are approached by parents, educators and other professionals who want to understand the impact of sensory processing challenges on child development and occupational performance. This workshop, presented by Ellen Yack and assisted by her associates Lauren Baker and Jessica Faith, is designed to meet the needs of recent graduates and occupational therapists who are new to this area of practice.It will also be beneficial for other professionals who want to gain a better understanding of sensory integration theory and how it can enhance their practices and allow them to better meet the complex needs of their clients.

Variations of this workshop were previously conducted in Toronto, Calgary and Kelowna. Participants at these workshops provided excellent feedback and requested follow-up training. To meet this demand, the May introductory workshop will be followed by a workshop in the fall which will allow for more advanced training in the utilization of an OT-SI approach with specific populations.

Attached you will find a registration form and an agenda for the May workshop. Information about the fall workshop will be provided at a later date. If you have any questions or require additional information, please contact Lauren Baker at 416-481-2446 or laurenbaker11@gmail.com.

Enjoy the holidays and have a very happy and healthy new year!

Ellen, Lauren and Jessica

Advanced Building Blocks: Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Integration of Basic Neurological Patterns

Dear Colleagues!

We are excited to have Sheila return this spring April 4 and 5, 2014 to build on her informative workshop from 2013.   Please note there is a change to Carol Vickery for cheque and registration.  There are only 60 spots! Our email data base continues to grow; however, if you feel any of your colleague would benefit from this workshop, please forward on!
Click here for full brochure and details.
Please do not hesitate to contact either of us. 
Krista & Carol


 
Growing Skills Inc.

JULY VISION AND LEARNING SYMPOSIUM 2014

July 19/20, 2-14 (Saturday/Sunday) in Airdrie, Alberta.
 
Featuring: Dr. Curt Baxstrom and Dr. Charles Boulet
 
More information, including program details, updated program, and pricing available at  drboulet.com

This event is much more than your average CE event, with a strong didactic program, immediate practical hands-on techniques and training, and engaging discussions and sharing with child development specialists from a number of medical and para-medical domains. 
Program in brief - See http://drboulet.com for more detail and to sign up for program updates:
We are all looking for a better approach to the common concerns we struggle when attempting to assist our clientele. There is often a tendency to wonder who is the best to deliver a comprehensive solution. In the end, the best clinical solution is not so much in 'who' does 'what' - we ALL have to do ‘it’: Assist using evidence-based approaches to fundamental developmental needs first – neuromuscular and neurosensory.
 
The question is more 'what' do we do? This 'what' we do is to apply exactly the notions described and training provided in this program. The program emphasizes:
 
·      The role of vestibular function
o   As support for vision
o   As a function of visual processing
·      Vestibular function, vision, and coordination.
·      The role and impact of gross-motor and reflex development in visual-motor integration, and fine oculomotor skills.
·      Description of visual functional concerns and how these affect learning and behaviour.
·      Implementation of principles in clinic to achieve accelerated results
o   Gross-motor
o   Coordination
o   Visuomotor skills
o   Attention and impulse control
o   Spatial awareness
·      Principles apply equally well to child development as to ABI/TBI.
 
To round things off, we will even spend a few minutes discussing myopia control. Non-surgical and complementary means of addressing amblyopia and strabismus.

Thursday 6 February 2014

Spark* Program List

I'm looking to compile a list of private practitioners who use spark* or spark*el by Heather MacKenzie in their practice. If you use this program and would like to be on this list that I will distribute to parents, please email me with your name and contact information to lauren.kniivila@albertahealthservices.ca or call me at 403-955-5951. Please contact me by the end of February if possible.

Thank you
Lauren

Wednesday 5 February 2014

Part Time Temporary (0.5FTE) OT Position in Sturgeon School Division

Part-time temporary (.5) Occupational Therapist

Are you interested in:
•  an Occupational Therapy employment opportunity that focuses on community pediatrics?
•  working for a supportive, flexible employer in a dynamic multi-disciplinary team context, in a small local school division.
•  great job satisfaction and the opportunity to make an important difference in a child’s life?

 If so, read on…

The Sturgeon School Division is currently seeking a part time temporary Occupational therapist ( .5  is needed). The position is with the Early Childhood Education program, providing Occupational Therapy services in home and community settings to children with disabilities who are between 2 ½ and 6 years of age.

This position has tremendous job satisfaction: a supportive multidisciplinary team to work with and scheduling flexibility. Working connected with a small school division allows for the opportunity to really make a difference!

The ideal candidate we are searching for will have a background in pediatrics. The successful candidate must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and be registered with ACOT. Candidates must have own transportation as travel is required throughout the school division Competitive wages.
The Sturgeon School Division’s Central Office is in Morinville, approximately 15 minutes drive north of Edmonton. This school division covers a small geographical region immediately north of the Edmonton/ St. Albert /Fort Saskatchewan area.

If you are interested, please forward your resume to hr@sturgeon.ab.ca or  visit the Sturgeon website www.sturgeon.ab.ca. For more information you can contact Anita Ferri at (780) 934-7937.

Saturday 1 February 2014

Economic Analysis of OT services

I attended Dr Archie Cooper’s talk on community practice, sponsored by SAOT, at the U of A on January 17th 2014. I am intrigued by her challenge to occupational therapists to include economic analysis in their discussions on the efficacy of our services from individual treatment modalities to models of service delivery and policy. I would like to have an email chat or Skype group chat with clinicians from various backgrounds on this topic. Do you have experience building an economic argument for your services? What are the implications of this for those who work for public services? In private practice? Is this all the responsibility of all or just those in management positions?

Please email me anytime!

Andrea Petryk, M.Sc., O.T.
Ergothérapeute