Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists (OT) work with patients and residents to regain or compensate for the skills needed to do a chosen activity.

Overview

When an injury, illness, or disability limits a person's ability to participate in essential daily activities, an occupational therapist (OT) is trained to identify individual strengths and priorities, and to suggest ways to improve function and participation in everyday tasks. The activities can be anything from getting dressed, relearning to use a pen to write, to safely driving a power wheelchair to the mall. The difficulties could be a result of medical or life situations leading to physical, cognitive or coping problems. At Providence, OTs provide service throughout the continuum of care from the Intensive Care Units to returning home safely. OTs also work in the Residential Program to assist elders in maintaining independence and involvement in meaningful activities.

Acute Services

Our occupational therapists and rehabilitation assistants provide a range of acute services to patients at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital and St. Paul’s Hospital. They work as part of the interdisciplinary care teams at these sites and provide services Monday to Friday with limited weekend coverage at the Mount Saint Joseph site. The areas vary depending on the site but can include:

  • General Medicine
  • General Surgery
  • ICU/Critical Care
  • Geriatric Psychiatry
  • Geriatric Day Clinics
  • Surgery (thoracic, vascular, general, plastics)
  • Orthopaedic surgery
  • Medical (including HIV and Family Practice)
  • Cardiac
  • Renal
  • Palliative Care
  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Eating Disorders
  • Mental Health
  • Hand Therapy
  • Chronic Pain Program
  • Healthy Heart Program

Rehabilitation Services

Holy Family Hospital is a provincial referral centre providing rehabilitation to adults in their middle years and beyond and is recognized as a leader in elder care rehabilitation. Occupational therapists, recreation coordinators, and rehabilitation assistants are part of the hospitals’ interdisciplinary team and provide care Monday to Friday with no on-call requirements. Clinical areas include:

  • Amputations
  • Arthritis
  • Neurological (including cerebral vascular accidents or stroke)
  • Orthopaedics
  • Driving rehabilitation program

Residential Program Services

St. Vincent’s: Brock Fahrni and Langara residences, Holy Family Residence, Mount Saint Joseph, and Youville Residence provide extended/complex care services. Staffing includes occupational therapists, recreation workers, and rehabilitation assistants, who provide coverage five to six days a week.
 

Outpatient Services

Please visit our Outpatient Clinics and Programs page for more information on our Occupational Therapy Clinics.
 

Contact

St. Paul’s Hospital
Room 385, 3rd floor
1081 Burrard Street
Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6
Phone: 604-806-8114      
Fax: 604-806-9823

Holy Family Hospital
7801 Argyle Street
Vancouver, BC, V5P 3L6
Phone: 604-322-2647     
Fax: 604-322-2657