Occupational Therapist

Vancouver Coastal Health; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is seeking an Occupational Therapist to join the MHSU Outpatient Services team at Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre in Vancouver, BC. Working within a patient- and family-centred framework, you will provide OT services to individuals with complex mental health illnesses, possibly with co-occurring addictions.

You will perform assessments, plan and implement outcome-based services, maintain records, and collaborate with an interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Current full registration with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
• Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
• Three years' experience in a psychiatric setting with youth and adults.
• Valid BC driver's license; local travel may be required with mileage reimbursement.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services within an interdisciplinary team.
• Perform assessments of clients' occupational performance and plan/outcome oriented services.
• Maintain records and contribute to quality management and research activities.
• Offer outreach, psychoeducation, counseling and education to clients and families.

Skills

Recovery principles

Psychosocial Rehabilitation

Group dynamics

Mental health knowledge

Substance abuse treatment

Psychoeducation

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Education

CHCPBC registration

CAOT membership eligibility

3 years psychiatric experience

BC Driver's License

Job description

Come work as an Occupational Therapist with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) on the MHSU Outpatient Services team at Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre in Vancouver, BC.

Within the context of a patient/client and family-centred framework and continuum-based care model and in accordance with established standards of professional practice and the vision, values and policies of the organization, provides occupational therapy services to individuals who have complex mental health illnesses and may have co‑occurring addictions and medical conditions. Enables clients to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes by working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Performs assessments on client’s occupational performance utilizing an evidence-based approach, plans and implements outcome oriented services, evaluates the effectiveness of the services, prepares and maintains records, participates in interdisciplinary research, demonstrates safe and effective resource utilization and quality management, and contributes to the development, review and promotion of occupational therapy services. Manages a complex caseload and implements occupational therapy services utilizing diverse intervention approaches. Acts as an resource for the designated area/s and provides outreach, education, psychoeducation, psychotherapeutic and counseling services to clients/families.

This work is framed within VCH’s commitments to our pillars of Indigenous Cultural Safety, Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and Planetary Health.

About The MHSU Outpatient Services Team

The MHSU Outpatient Services team provides assessment, consultation, and time-limited group therapy treatment for adults ages 19 and up. We provide short-term services for adults in Vancouver experiencing moderate to severe mental health or concurrent MHSU disorders leading to impacted functioning in their daily lives. This program is for clients who do not meet the threshold of serious and persistent MHSU concerns that required Community MHSU team intervention. Services aim to support and provide treatment of up to 6 months.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.

Education & Experience

• Current full registration as an Occupational Therapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
• Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).
• Three (3) years' experience in a psychiatric setting working with youth and adults or an equivalent combination of education training and experience.
• Valid B.C. Driver's License. Local area travel requires the use of a personal vehicle for which mileage reimbursement is paid.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Knowledge of theoretical knowledge and clinical understanding of group dynamics and processes.
• Knowledge of mental illness and treatment.
• Knowledge of substance abuse and addictions treatment.
• Knowledge of psychotherapeutic and counselling skills, and psychoeducation.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Knowledge of community, social and mental health resources.
• Ability to identify emotional, social, or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with clients, families, team members, other groups and community agency personnel.
• Broad knowledge of therapy theory and clinical practice within a client and family centred model of care.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower clients to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required.
• Basic knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice related to designated program/area.
• Basic understanding of trauma-informed care.