As we celebrate Occupational Therapy Month, Northern Health (NH) clinicians are showcasing how innovative scheduling models are transforming care delivery and professional sustainability in rehabilitation services.
Occupational therapists (OTs) working under NH’s four-day-on, four-day-off model with extended 11-hour shifts are reporting significant clinical benefits. This approach allows therapists to provide seven-day-a-week service, improving continuity of care, enhancing communication across teams, and enabling more comprehensive patient follow-up. With longer shifts, OTs can see more patients in a day and complete documentation more efficiently, reducing delays and improving therapeutic outcomes.
One OT shared that they could follow patients more consistently, especially over weekends and holidays. They found it easier to manage documentation and learn about different patient profiles across the hospital, leading to strengthened clinical skills.
Beyond patient care, this model is also proving to be a powerful tool for clinician wellness and retention. The extended time off between work sets offers OTs the chance to recover fully, pursue professional development, and even take on additional roles or overtime if desired. The flexibility supports work-life balance, with bigger chunks of free time for travel, family, or personal interests.
While the model isn’t ideal for everyone—particularly those with childcare or weekday commitments—it’s a compelling option for many.
One OT emphasized, “One size does not fit all. But with current staffing challenges, employers need to be flexible and offer full-time, part-time, rotating shifts, and casual opportunities—especially in rehab, to recruit and retain therapists and offer robust programs.”
The results speak for themselves: all four-on/four-off OT lines are currently fully staffed.
As health care systems face mounting pressures, NH’s flexible scheduling approach is helping to retain talent, reduce burnout, and enhance service delivery—all while celebrating the critical role occupational therapists play in supporting recovery, independence, and quality of life.
This Occupational Therapy Month let’s recognize the innovation, adaptability, and dedication of OTs across Northern BC. Their work is not only vital—it’s evolving to meet the needs of both patients and professionals in today’s health care landscape.
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