Occupational Therapist

The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) is a dynamic Catholic school board committed to the delivery of quality educational programs and services from a Catholic faith perspective.

DPCDSB, one of Ontario’s largest school boards, is comprised of approximately 71,000 students enrolled in 151 schools (125 elementary and 26 secondary) throughout the diverse GTA municipalities of Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, and Orangeville.

DPCDSB employs approximately 8,000 faculty and staff to deliver and support its Catholic educational mission.

Occupational Therapist

Position Type : Contract, Full Time

Total FTE Available : 1.0 FTE

Dates : ASAP to no later than May 9, 2025

Location(s) : Board-Wide - Multiple Locations

Salary Range :

Degree holder (Category 2) $64,253.00 - $98,367.00 (annually)

Master holder (Category 3) $70,574.00 - $113,928.00 (annually)

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Superintendent of Special Education and Learning Services, the Occupational Therapist reports directly to the General Manager of Clinical Services and Special Education and is a member of the Board-level Multidisciplinary Team.

The Occupational Therapist provides assessment, planning, consultation, and intervention to enhance student potential for learning and ability to participate in the educational environment.

The Occupational Therapist will support students with diverse learning profiles including physical, motor, sensory, coordination and / or behavioural needs .

Qualifications for Occupational Therapist

Education

• Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience in Occupational Therapy, assessing and supporting students with sensory, motor, coordination, physical, mobility, behavioural and learning needs.
• School-based experience preferred.
• Evidence of commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Experience and Qualifications

• Registration and member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and in Good Standing License.
• Fundamental understanding of specialized equipment for students (i.e. seating options, Hoyer lift vs. ceiling track, sensory processing needs).
• Knowledge of the Ministry of Education SEA process.
• Excellent analysis, problem solving, organizational and time management skills to coordinate and conduct complex assessments and interventions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with attention to detail, for report writing, documentation and presentations.
• Ability to work under tight timelines, as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently.
• Ability to create and facilitate professional learning opportunities for board employees.
• Valid Driver's license and reliable transportation required.

To be considered for this position, please submit an application through Apply to Education, with a letter of interest, along with your resume, fully detailing your experience and qualifications.

Visit www.dpcdsb.org for more details.

ALL new employees will be required to submit a current original criminal background check (CBC) including a "Vulnerable Sector Screening" (VSS) issued within 6 months prior to commencing employment with the Board.

We thank all applicants but be advised that only those under consideration will be contacted.

We actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and / or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to :

• First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
• members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour or place of origin;
• persons with visible and / or invisible (physical and / or mental) disabilities.

If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please contact us at (905) 890-0708 extension 24189 to provide your contact information.

Support Services staff will contact you within 2 business days. The Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board is an equal opportunity employer.

We will accommodate your needs under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Job description

Employee Group : Association of Professional Support Services Personnel (APSSP)

Position Title : Occupational Therapist

Department : Special Education & Learning Services

Immediate Supervisor : General Manager of Clinical Services and Special Education

Date : August 26, 2024

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Superintendent of Special Education and Learning Services, the Occupational Therapist reports directly to the General Manager of Clinical Services and Special Education and is a member of the Board-level Multidisciplinary Team.

The Occupational Therapist provides assessment, planning, consultation, and intervention to enhance student potential for learning and ability to participate in the educational environment.

The Occupational Therapist will support students with diverse learning profiles including physical, motor, sensory, coordination and / or behavioural needs.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Student Support

• Conduct Occupational Therapy assessments of students with complex learning, behaviour and developmental needs to set goals and propose accommodations, together with school staff and members of the Multidisciplinary team.
• Conduct safety assessments of the learning environment for students with complex needs.
• Provide short-term direct intervention for students, with the gradual release of responsibility to the school Team.
• Deliver or facilitate the delivery of programs to enhance student ability to participate in the educational environment.
• Support students' skill acquisition in collaboration with the school Team.

Indirect Student Support

• Attend Team Meetings and Multidisciplinary Case Conferences, as appropriate.
• Co-facilitate goal setting meetings with the school Team and families.
• Plan and formulate intervention programs to address student specific needs, in collaboration with teachers, parents, and other Special Services Personnel.
• Consult with classroom teachers, Support Services Personnel, Administrators, and parents regarding student development and learning needs.
• Collaborate with school staff to inform the preparation of Safety Plans.
• Contribute to the formulation of Individual Education Plans.
• Recommend specialized equipment for the learning environment to enhance student potential for learning.
• Conduct equipment modification for students and monitor safety.
• Record keeping, report writing and data collection, as required.
• Liaise with parents regarding student progress, goals, equipment, support strategies for the home, and pathways to community care.
• Work constructively and cooperatively with professionals from community agencies to assist students and families to access services and supports.

Other Duties

• Adhere to the policies, protocols, and standards of practice of the Board, the Multidisciplinary Team, and the Regulatory College, including informed consent, record keeping, report writing, data collection, caseload statistics, etc.
• Supervise post-secondary Occupational Therapy students in placements, as appropriate.
• Provide Multidisciplinary Team representation on Department or Board project committees.
• Represent Dufferin-Peel in committee work with community agencies, as directed by the Superintendent.
• Provide professional capacity building for board staff on sensory, motor, and coordination development, and accommodations for the learning environment.
• Provide professional development to staff on the safe use of equipment to ensure student safety
• Conduct equipment modification and monitor safety for students.
• Provide consultation to the Special Equipment Amount (SEA) committee at their meetings as necessary.
• Liaise with vendors regarding student equipment needs.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

Education and Experience

• Master's Degree in Occupational Therapy.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience in Occupational Therapy, assessing and supporting students with sensory, motor, coordination, physical, mobility, behavioural and learning needs.
• School-based experience preferred.
• Evidence of commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Qualifications / Additional Experience

• Registration and member of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) and in Good Standing License.
• Fundamental understanding of specialized equipment for students (i.e. seating options, Hoyer lift vs. ceiling track, sensory processing needs).
• Knowledge of the Ministry of Education SEA process.
• Excellent analysis, problem solving, organizational and time management skills to coordinate and conduct complex assessments and interventions.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with attention to detail, for report writing, documentation and presentations.
• Ability to work under tight timelines, as part of a multidisciplinary team and independently.
• Ability to create and facilitate professional learning opportunities for board employees.

Working Conditions

• Itinerant.
• Valid Driver's license and reliable transportation required.
• Required to transport test kits in and out of schools from the car each day.
• Require private workspace for confidential work, locked filing cabinet, access to photocopier, fax machine and outside phone line.
• Requires the ability to deal with stressful and emergent situations, and to support student safety with de-escalation strategies and crisis intervention.
1 day ago