New Job Occupational Therapist 1(A)-(B) (2 Opportunities) In Nova Scotia

About Us

At the Department of Community Services (DCS), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family well-being (CFW), Employment Support Services(ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program(DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of support and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

Are you an occupational therapist, or recent occupational therapist graduate, who is interested in working with children, youth, and their caregivers?

Wood Street Campus (WSC) provides treatment services for children in the care of the Minister of Community Services. We are passionate about supporting children and enhancing their development into successful young people in the community. The experience of fostering positive outcomes for children is very rewarding and requires a highly motivated and energetic individual!

We’re hiring an Occupational Therapist to join our interdisciplinary team where we all work together to provide diagnostic, assessment and treatment services for children with complex emotional and/or behavioral concerns.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Occupational Therapist, you are responsible for providing services and consultation to children in care. The average age of children who access our programs is between 10 and 18. Daily, we count on your expertise to enhance the successful completion of assessment and treatment services for children admitted to the center. You will utilize a child-centered approach, delivering services through a continuum of care consisting of clinical assessment, development and delivery of programs, and facilitating community reintegration. Your primary focus will involve assisting children in acquiring and/or maintaining skills, knowledge, and behaviors that will enable them to optimally function independently upon their return to their community.

Additionally, you will also provide consultative and supportive services for children who reside in provincial child-caring facilities, helping to ensure continuity of care to further encourage successful outcomes for our children.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy or an equivalent. You must be eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and, on appointment, be registered by the College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia.

The following would be an asset to this position:

• Experience conducting and writing clinical occupational therapy assessments;
• Experience developing and delivering occupational therapy programs;
• Knowledge of human behavior, growth, and development;
• Considerable insight into the motivation of young people to implement change in their lives;
• Knowledge of trauma, attachment, mental health, and substance use; and
• An understanding of child-caring facilities and treatment programs including the dynamics of long-term treatment and group care.

This position requires travel within the province to the provincial child-caring facilities. Therefore, a valid driver’s license and access to a reliable motor vehicle is required.

Salary Information

HSB 18 - HSB 25

$2,374.58 - $3,285.46

Working Conditions

As our children sometimes require flexibility in their care, there may also be flexibility in work options as individual circumstances may allow.

Your personal resilience and ability to act decisively and with sound judgment in routine matters or crisis situations are critical. While we take precautions, children and youth may demonstrate pain-based responses where Nonviolent Crisis Intervention (NVCI) techniques may be required to ensure a safe environment.

Additional Information

Two (2) opportunities are available. One (1) permanent and one (1) temp employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of October 31, 2023. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Reimbursement for registration fees.
• Flexible working arrangements including modified work weeks
• Career possibilities and progression, career guidance and coaching, and ongoing training for every stage of your journey.
• Rewarding and versatile work where you will see the impacts you make, in and around your communities.

Based on the employment status, we also offer a wide range of benefits such as:

• Employee and Family Assistance Programs.
• Travel and car allowance.
• Three (3) weeks vacation to start, and annual pay progression.
• Health, Dental, and Life Insurance.
• Pension.
• General Illness (Short and Long Term).

Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.