Occupational Therapist (Full-Time)

Who We Are

Founded in 1889, YWCA Hamilton is known as one of Hamilton’s original social innovators and works from a feminist, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive framework. We are dedicated to strengthening women’s and girl’s voices, broadening their choices, building dynamic leadership and providing essential services that promote safe, inclusive and equitable communities.

Why Work for Us?

At YWCA Hamilton, we are intentional about fostering a workplace culture that values positive physical and emotional well-being through our values of Inclusivity, Equity, Community, Self-determination, and Accountability. We invest in our employees so that we can bring our values into the communities in which we live. We offer our employees:

• On-the-job training and professional development opportunities
• Staff fitness, childcare and recreation discounts
• Opportunities to get involved in our community
• A competitive total rewards package

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact in the lives of women, children, and families every day, we would love for you to join our team!

Position Description

Job Posting Code: 2-MES-2023

Department: Employment and Training

Reports to: Manager, Employment and Training Services

Hours of Work: 37.5 hours per week

Start Date: TBD

Contract End Date: March 29, 2024

Location: Hamilton, ON

Posting Date: June 7, 2023

• Assesses and diagnoses physical, emotional, social and cognitive capacity and performance, occupational demands and environmental factors and interventions to enable participation in activities of everyday life to promote and optimize health and well-being of clients consistent with the scope of practice of occupational therapy;
• Perform tasks in ways consistent with the competencies of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) including; assuming professional responsibility, thinking critically, demonstrating practice knowledge, utilizing occupational therapy process to enable occupation, communicating and collaborating effectively, engaging in professional development, managing practice and advocating within systems;
• Work with clients on goals related to meaningful activity and activities of daily living;
• Work collaboratively with program staff to ensure quantitative outcomes related to successful recruitment of eligible participants and successful retention during work placement and post-program are achieved;
• Nurtures and maintains relationships with partners and staff;
• Maintains accurate records/statistics and evaluation information related to the activities undertaken/outcomes achieved; reporting results to Manager;
• Understands emerging trends, leading practices, industry professional standards;
• Supports YWCA Hamilton’s mission, vision and values;
• Perform other duties as required.

Working Conditions:

• Works up to 37.5 hours per work week.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy; Master's Degree preferred;
• Registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO);
• Member with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists or the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists preferred;
• Education/certification in relevant therapeutic modalities (e.g. CBT, motivational interviewing, DBT, mindfulness...);
• Experience in a community-based mental health program;
• Experience working with women, non-binary and persons with disabilities in a community based setting;
• Experience working with clients with concurrent disorders;
• Experience developing, facilitating and evaluating therapeutic programming;
• Knowledge and experience in project management and/or program development;
• Knowledge and experience in assessing and supporting clients in seeking/maintaining employment;
• Knowledge of models of support to promote success in employment (e.g. individual placement and supports);
• Knowledge of mental illness including etiology, prognosis, assessment, treatment, crisis intervention and recovery including specialized understanding of emerging mental illness and early intervention principles;
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act, Healthcare Consent Act, Substitute Decisions Act, Privacy Legislation and additional legislation relevant to workplace, school and community participation;
• Demonstrated ability to engage with people from diverse backgrounds;
• Strong understanding of community resources with the ability to act as a negotiator, navigator and broker between clients and services they access;
• Knowledge of the unique developmental issues of persons with a variety of disabilities;
• Assessment skills in self-care, productivity and leisure;
• Knowledge and experience in working with clients to plan, maintain, and monitor interventions in their home, school, workplace, and/or community;
• Knowledge, skills and experience in the principles and practice of recovery;
• Good teamwork, advocacy, problem solving skills;
• Demonstrated participation in research, evidence-informed practice, program evaluation and evidence of continued professional development and education;
• Good organizational skills, with the ability to set own priorities and work with minimal supervision;
• Must provide a Current Vulnerable Sector Police check or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must have current Emergency First Aid and CPR certificate or willingness to obtain at own cost;
• Must be able to work from a feminist, anti-racist/anti-oppressive perspective;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Valid driver’s license and access to a motor vehicle is required;
• Bilingual English/French or other languages an asset.

As part of YWCA Hamilton’s commitment to Access and Equity, we strive to represent the diverse communities that we serve. Individuals who are women, First Nations, Métis, immigrant, refugee, LGBTQ2S+; individuals with disabilities; and individuals from racialized communities or other marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Accommodations are available throughout the recruitment process. Please inform us of any accommodation requests.

About the company

YWCA Hamilton strengthens women’s and girls’ voices, broadens their choices, builds dynamic leadership and provides essential and meaningful services.