Zone: Eastern Urban Zone
Location: Mental Health and Addictions Centre
Clinical Occupational Therapist II
Mental Health and Addictions Program - Geriatric Assessment
Permanent Full-time
00999POS

Hours: 75 bi-weekly (8-hour days) flex schedule as per current AAHP Collective Agreement

Salary: CG-43 ($45.48 - $56.13 per hour which includes a negotiated wage adjustment)

Competition Number: VAC0010422

Posted Date: 2025-05-07

Closing Date: 2025-05-14

Job Summary

The Clinical Occupational Therapist II is a clinical position providing OT services for Geriatric Assessment services based at the Mental Health and Addictions Centre. This specialized clinical Occupational Therapist II position works as a member of an interprofessional team servicing clients of the Geriatric Psychiatry Acute Unit (GPAU).

GPAU is an inpatient unit for assessment, diagnosis, treatment and medical management of new-onset psychiatric illness or cognitive decline for clients aged 65 and older. Or, for clients of any age who have dementia complicated by challenging psychiatric and behavioral symptoms.

This is a challenging position, which requires an individual to practice independently to be an integral member of an interdisciplinary team. In this role the Clinical Occupational Therapist will build respectful relationships by working collaboratively with clients, team members, and others involved in the systems in which they work. This position practices using a recovery and strength-based model that is trauma informed.

The population includes clients with Mental Health diagnosis and/or a variety of Neurocognitive and Medical Disorders. Muti-symptom comorbidities will impact occupational therapy needs and participation. This Clincial Occupational Therapy II position will work closely with clients, families, caregivers and Substitute Decision Makers (SDM) co creating goals to initiate, access and participate in meaningful occupations. This Clinical Occupational therapist will work closely with interprofessional team to contribute to and complete Capacity assessments, this involves completing detailed cognitive and functional assessments, along with formal reports. Care will include supporting and educating clients, families, caregivers and SDMs. The Clinical Occupational Therapist II will need to recognize the social, structural, political, and ecological determinants of health impacting clients.

This position works with considerable independence and receives clinical support and mentoring from the Occupational Therapist III in the Mental Health and Addictions Program – Acute Care. The Clinical Occupational Therapist II will represent Occupational Therapy to the program/department manager; work includes clinical services, input into program and policy development, project development, quality initiatives, planning and evaluation activities of the clinical service and participating in evidence-based practice.

The Clinical Occupational Therapist II will provide supervision and leadership to Clinical Occupational Therapist 1's and Occupational Therapy Support Worker as required. They will be responsible to precept Occupational Therapy students and offering other clinical education experiences to students within NLHS. Based on operational demands, the OT II role may be responsible for OT referrals within other programs based at the Mental Health and Additions Centre or Community Mental Health services.

This position reports to the Program Manager for the Geriatric Psychiatry Program and maintains accountability to the Occupational Therapy Professional Practice Consultant for professional integrity and practice issues.

Job Demands
By applying for this job, you acknowledge an understanding that regular requirements and demands of this job include (but are not limited to):
Regularly stands and walks when performing clinic activities and may drive to and from sites/homes within the region.
Regularly sits to perform administrative functions, observe or counsel clients. May also work in awkward or cramped positions at times.
Fine/finger precision work is required when working on the computer or using tools to adjust or repair equipment.
Hand tools are used to adjust equipment and may require rapid physical movement and reflexes, as well as controlled movement. Gross motor skills and the use of heavy equipment are required when working with clients in performing therapeutic activities, or to move equipment.

Job Qualifications
Graduate of a school or program of occupational therapy recognized by the board.

Current licensure with the Newfoundland and Labrador Occupational Therapy Board.

A minimum of three years of experience within the last five working as a Clinical Occupational Therapist in adult mental health including one year experience working with geriatric population is required.

Experience in the assessment of cognition and functional cognition

Experience in Dementia Care

Knowledge of the Gentle Persuasion Approach

Knowledge of Trauma Informed care

Assist Training is an asset

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, with interprofessional team members, patients/residents/clients and their families in a one-to-one and group environment.
Demonstrated effective written communication skills required for client documentation, report writing and professional communications
Demonstrated ability to effectively translate and communicate knowledge in the specialized area of occupational therapy practice to others.
Proven supervisory and leadership skills.
Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor and train Clinical Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapist Support Workers and students.
Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as a member of an interprofessional team.
Proven ability to assume professional responsibility for safe, ethical and effective practice.
A satisfactory record of work performance and attendance is required.