Occupational Therapist - Full time - Toronto

You’ll feel great about a career with March of Dimes Canada

At March of Dimes Canada, our collective work matters. As a leading national charity backed by a history of more than 70 years of impact, we’re dedicated to being Canada’s leading service provider, resource, and advocate, empowering people with disabilities to live and thrive in communities nationwide. Our collective efforts are rooted in our Purpose, Vision, and Mission, which inform how we drive all our work forward.

• Purpose: Champion equity. Empower ability.

• Vision: An inclusive, barrier-free society for people with disabilities. 

• Mission: To be Canada’s leading service provider, resource, and advocate, empowering people with disabilities to live and thrive in communities nationwide. 

Skills Development and Employment ensures that people with disabilities find and keep meaningful jobs by matching them with employers seeking qualified job candidates. In addition, they offer support with assessments, rehabilitation and child and youth programs. 

The opportunity:

POSITION:  Occupational Therapist, Early Learning Program

DEPARTMENT/PROGRAM: Charitable Operations – Skills Development & Employment 

REPORTS TO: Director, Community Programs

We are looking for a full-time, fully registered Occupational Therapist (OT) with experience in pediatrics to join our amazing team in Toronto, Ontario. If you are passionate, high-energy, fun and have a child-like imagination to go along with your stellar assessment/treatment skills then this opportunity is for you! At MODC, we focus on the potential of our clients, while making programming fun.

The OT is responsible for the development and delivery of the new Early Learning program curriculum. You would be responsible for the provision of occupational therapy consultations, assessments, and group interventions to promote and facilitate the development of skills essential to daily living and promote functional independence. This role will promote the development of sensory processing abilities, fine and gross motor skills, and self-regulation/emotion regulation skills that support a child’s ability to function and engage in their home, school, play, and community environments.

Responsibilities:

This dynamic and unique role offers a blend of indirect program development responsibilities and direct service delivery duties and is not an exclusively clinical position.

Program Development:

• Co-design the new Early Learning program; development of group programming and curriculum for children and youth (infants/toddlers to 12 years old) with disabilities.
• Implement and evaluate the effectiveness various group class offerings and therapeutic group interventions. Opportunities for 1:1 direct occupational therapy intervention may be explored in future program offerings.
• Modify program curriculum based on feedback and integrate feedback into future program iterations.
• Create documents for program planning and development, prepare recommendations and rehabilitation plans, workplans and other tasks as needed.
• Consult and collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams both internally (Knowledge to Action team, Marketing and Communications team, etc.) and in the community.

Service Delivery: 

• Conduct holistic semi-structured interviews and functional to support program intake process.
• Use clinical judgement to assess clients and recommend optimal group placement according to the clients’ individualized needs and areas for goal attainment using a strengths-based approach.
• Co-facilitate and instruct group classes in person. Service delivery virtually on a digital platform (e.g., Teams) may be explored in future offerings.
• Proactively identify and address any challenges that children and youth may have in group programs with regulation, activity engagement, sustained attention, social-communication, transitions, fine and gross motor skills.
• Supervision and mentorship of students for fieldwork placements.
• Supervision of Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs), ensuring adherence to best practices and fostering professional development.
• Facilitate staff, volunteer, and student training, as well as education for support network as required.
• Refer, liaise, and partner with other agencies to address identified needs of the referred individual as appropriate.
• Complete timely clinical documentation, discharge reports, and program administration duties.
• Other duties, as required.

Qualifications and experience:

• You must be a registered and in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and abide by membership regulation regarding clinical and ethical practices.
• You have a master’s degree in occupational therapy and/or a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy with commensurable work experience.
• You have experience working in pediatrics or with individuals with disabilities is required.  Clinical experience working with neuro-typical, neuro-divergent, and those with developmental differences is an asset.
• Knowledgeable or trained in Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Sensory Processing or Integration Theory, the Social Model of Disability and Neurodivergent Affirming Practices is an asset.
• Past experiences in program and/or curriculum development are an asset.
• Demonstrated understanding of rehabilitation principles, including being knowledgeable and experienced in pediatric early intervention, sensory processing, and trauma-informed care.
• You have a commitment to quality care and service delivery. You maintain timely client notes and highly developed report writing and oral communication skills.
• You must be comfortable supervising Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTA) and/or Occupational Therapy Students as a fieldwork supervisor.
• You have highly developed interpersonal skills, including mediation, negotiation, advocacy, consultation, and collaboration.
• You are flexible and adaptable to the dynamic nature of program development.
• You have a strong ability to work independently and perform collaborative work with team members.
• Respect for individuality and diversity, with excellent interpersonal skills to build trusting relationships with clients and their families.
• You have access to reliable transportation (ex. car, public transportation, etc.). A valid drivers license and access to a vehicle is an asset. 
• Bilingualism is an asset.

Important details

While most of the responsibilities will take place during regular operating hours on weekdays, this position may be required to work weekends as part of a 5-day workweek.

This position primarily involves in-person work at 1 Duncan Mill Road during active program sessions, with potential opportunity for hybrid work between sessions based on the program schedule. As this role may involve periods non-clinical work between program sessions and during development, the ability to manage your own schedule and adapt to changing and evolving work responsibilities is essential.

How to apply

• Please submit your cover letter and resume by November 24, 2024. 

 Questions about working at March of Dimes Canada?

Whether starting or advancing your career with us, you’ll feel great knowing that you’re: 

• Contributing to our important mission: creating real change for people with disabilities

• Joining a leading national charity with a history of impact and a future full of possibility

• Enjoying industry-leading employment incentives and benefits such as paid wellness days, summer hours and free parking at our sites 

• Supported in your professional growth, development, and success

• Included in our empathetic and supportive work culture 

Learn more about why we’re a great employer at marchofdimes.ca/careers.

For general inquiries, you can reach us at recruitment@marchofdimes.ca 

We value the health & safety of our employees! 

MODC is committed to ensuring a healthy and safe work environment. We encourage all current and prospective employees to receive Covid-19 vaccinations and booster doses as recommended by Public Health. This reflects our dedication to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our workforce.

Need accommodations? We're here to help!

MODC is committed to a workforce that is reflective of the diverse populations we serve. We welcome applications from qualified individuals from all backgrounds and abilities. In accordance with accessibility and human rights legislation across Canada, MODC will provide accommodations to job applicants with disabilities and other protected needs. If you require accommodation, please notify us and we will work with you to meet your needs. We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive, equitable, accessible, and barrier-free.

Our Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) approach

MODC is dedicated to building and advancing an inclusive and welcoming culture. It’s also why we’re focused on attracting, retaining, and supporting diverse people. Thanks to our progressive practices, team members of all abilities and backgrounds are encouraged to access the opportunities and supports they need to grow, thrive, and succeed. Our READI approach is rooted in our shared belief that championing equity and empowering ability starts by investing in our team members— and in our shared culture — so that we all feel included, safe, and confident at work every single day.