Occupational Therapist - Cleghorn Early Int

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

Job summary

St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton is seeking an Occupational Therapist to work with youth with first-episode psychosis in a community-based setting.

You will collaborate with the Cleghorn care team and community partners to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate client-centered OT services focused on meaningful activities and daily living skills. The role requires a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, registration in good standing with COTO, and experience with youth and psychosis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy; Master’s Degree preferred.
• Registration in good standing with COTO.
• OSOT and/or CAOT membership preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide occupational therapy services to youth with first-episode psychosis in a community-based mental health setting.
• Collaborate with an interprofessional team to plan, monitor and evaluate client goals.
• Assess, plan, implement and evaluate client-centered OT interventions to enable participation in daily activities.
• Engage in teaching and research activities as part of affiliated education partners.
• Maintain professional development and adhere to relevant legislations and standards.

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy; Master’s Degree preferred

Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO)

Membership with Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists and/or Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists preferred

Job description

Position Details

Job Number:

JR02492

Department:

Cleghorn Program Hamilton

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)

4 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:

2026-10-27

Closing Date:

2026-11-03

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Occupational Therapist works in a community-based mental health setting with a recovery-oriented interprofessional team supporting young people with first episode psychosis. The Occupational Therapist combines their education and experience to work with clients on goals related to meaningful activity and activities of daily living. Working in collaboration with the Cleghorn care team as well as partners within St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton and in the broader community the Occupational Therapist assesses plans monitors and evaluates client goal achievement through both individual and group sessions.

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 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. 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. 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

• Minimum of Bachelor of Science Degree in Occupational Therapy; Master’s Degree preferred
• Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) required
• Membership with the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists and/or the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists preferred

Current and demonstrated

• Minimum one year of recent related clinical experience working with individuals with schizophrenia and psychotic disorders required
• Experience in a community-based mental health program within an interdisciplinary team required. Experience in early intervention in psychosis and psychotic disorders is preferred
• Experience working with youth and their families required
• Experience working with clients with concurrent disorders required
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with individuals living with serious and persistent mental illness including etiology prognosis assessment treatment crisis intervention and recovery
• Experience in supporting clients achieve occupational goals within community-based environments and through virtual care an asset
• Knowledge and understanding of the relationships between psychotic symptoms psychiatric medications and occupational functioning
• Knowledge of the unique developmental issues of an adolescent and young adult population
• Assessment skills in self-care productivity and leisure with individuals with psychotic disorders
• Demonstrated ability to implement a broad range of current Occupational Therapy theory practices treatment techniques and best practice strategies in mental health including psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery models
• Knowledge and experience in working with clients to plan maintain and monitor interventions in their home school workplace and/or community
• Knowledge and experience in working with clients to set up job placements perform job development conduct vocational assessments provide job coaching develop return to work plans and liaise with rehabilitation counselors human resources personnel employers and others assisting clients in their work goals
• Knowledge and experience of educational systems and accommodations at the secondary and post-secondary level
• Education/certification in relevant therapeutic modalities (eg. CBT motivational interviewing DBT mindfulness…)
• Working knowledge of local relevant community resources for youth an asset
• Knowledge and experience in community development particularly in working with youth an asset
• Ability to act as a negotiator and broker between clients and services they access
• Knowledge of group leadership functioning and process and the ability to use group techniques developed through a combination of experience and academic preparation
• Knowledge skills and experience in the principles and practice of recovery including hope and empowerment
• Teamwork advocacy problem solving and oral and written communication skills
• Computer skills in relevant software and applications
• 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 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

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]).