Occupational Therapist - Acute MH- M1 & R1

SJH St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 59,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph's Health System (SJHS) Hamilton seeks an Occupational Therapist to plan, implement, and evaluate client-centered OT services within the Acute Psychiatry Units at the West 5th Campus. You will assess and address physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs to enable participation in daily life.

You will also develop and lead therapeutic groups, collaborate with a multidisciplinary team, and participate in teaching and research activities in an academically affiliated setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy required, master’s degree preferred.
• Registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario required.
• Experience with group facilitation and inter-professional collaboration is essential.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Plans, implements, and evaluates client-centered occupational therapy services.
• Identifies and intervenes with physical, emotional, social, and cognitive capacities to enable participation in activities of daily living.
• Develops, runs, and evaluates therapeutic groups.
• Engages in teaching, research activities, and professional development as part of the hospital interdisciplinary team.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Group facilitation

Interprofessional collaboration

Analytical and problem-solving

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in occupational therapy

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Position Details

Position Details Job Number: JR02707 Department: Concurrent Disorders Occupational Therapy This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain) Job Type: Temporary (Fixed Term), Full time Contract Duration: (If applicable) 17 months Number of Positions: 1 Union: OPSEU Local 206 Hourly Rate (Min / Max): $42.51 - $59.29 Schedule Work Days: Monday to Friday Time of Day: Days Shift: Hours - 8 Shift Start: (If applicable) Reason for Posting: Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy Application Dates Opening Date: 2026-11-05 Closing Date: 2026-11-12

Unit Profile

The Acute Mental Health Program includes 4 inpatient programs, Psychiatric Emergency Services as well as many ambulatory programs and provided care persons aged 18 and older presenting with severe and persistent mental illness. An integrated care model ensures a seamless integration of psychiatric care along the continuum. Services include inpatient treatment, outpatient consultation, group therapy, tele-psychiatry/shared care, and capacity building across the South-west region. The Acute Psychiatry Unit inpatient provides mental health care to patients suffering from acute symptoms of mental disorders. The interdisciplinary team provide care for the varied needs of our patients, with the goal to assess and stabilize patients and reintegrate back into the community at optimal levels of functioning.

The Occupational Therapist in this position will be required to work in the Acute Psychiatry Units - M1 & R1 at the West 5th Campus.

Position Summary

The Occupational Therapist plans, implements, and evaluates client-centered occupational therapy services consistent with the mission and values of St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton. The Occupational Therapist assesses, identifies and intervenes with 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. Key functions of the Occupational Therapist encompass clinical, professional, and non-clinical activities as outlined in the Profile of Occupational Therapists in Canada that are shaped by their program needs and client population. All tasks are performed 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. Ability to develop, run and evaluate therapeutic groups is an integral part of the position. Given that St. Joseph's Healthcare is affiliated with McMaster University and Mohawk College, the Occupational Therapist is expected to engage in appropriate teaching and research activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy required; master’s degree preferred.
• Registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario required.
• Membership in the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists or Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy preferred.
• One-year recent related clinical experience with mental health/concurrent disorders client population and clinical setting preferred.
• One-year recent related experience within an addiction specific setting preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with Group Facilitation is required
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize workload and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective member of an inter-professional team with exceptional interpersonal, advocacy, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Willingness and ability to continue to improve professional competence and knowledge
• Exceptional analytical thinking and creative problem-solving skills.
• Proficient computer skills for report writing, assessments, word processing, workload measurement, and access to information.

Acute Mental Health -specific Qualifications

• Familiarity with specific screening tools for addictions including the CAGE-AID, GAIN Short Screener, DALI, TWEAK, MAST/DAST
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Stages of Change Model and ability to implement stage specific interventions.
• Demonstrated ability to implement a range of harm reduction interventions.
• Demonstrated competence in the facilitation of activity and psychoeducation groups including: goal setting, addictions/concurrent disorders, emotion regulation skills, problem solving, stress management and discharge planning
• Knowledge of CBT and DBT models to inform practice
• Demonstrated ability to utilize Motivational Interviewing (MI) and Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) with individuals and group including emotional regulation
• Knowledge and experience in creating complex care plans for clients in the developmental sector
• Knowledge and experience working with clients with cognitive impairment (mild cognitive impairment and major neurocognitive disorders), assessing behaviours and developing behavioural care plans
• Good Attendance is required
• Good work performance is required

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process ([e-mail]). At St. Joe’s Hamilton, we believe in nurturing new talent, providing an inclusive and supportive work environment with meaningful growth opportunities, and exciting benefits and rewards. Whether you're passionate about providing compassionate care or eager to gain new skills, there’s a place here for you to grow, learn, and succeed! Dignity. Respect. Service. Justice. Responsibility. Enquiry.