Job Description

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
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 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:

• Demonstrated ability to administer addiction specific screening tools (ie. 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 addictions/concurrent disorders specific groups including DBT/CBT informed
• 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
• Good Attendance is required
• Good work performance is required

HOURS OF WORK:
Monday to Friday; days
St. Joe's fosters an environment where we celebrate diversity, where teams reflect the diversity of the community in which we serve, enhancing the connection to patients, clients, community, and each other.

Skills Required