UNIT PROFILE:
The Developmental Dual Diagnosis Program provides community-based mental health services to meet the needs of adults including transitional aged adults aged 17-65 years with developmental disabilities and severe and persistent mental illness who reside in the Hamilton-Niagara-Haldimand-Brant LHIN. The Program provides assessment, treatment, nursing, psychiatry, rehabilitation and education to clients and their families. The Developmental Dual Diagnosis team works closely support workers, other professional caregivers, and with other community service providers to ensure a continuum of care is provided.

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 and diagnoses 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. 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 dual diagnosis client population and clinical setting preferred.
•Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•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.

Developmental Dual Diagnosis Program-specific Qualifications:
•Experience in a community-based mental health program working with transitional aged youth and adults with an intellectual developmental disorder required.
•Experience working with transitional aged youth and adults with Autism an asset.
•Experience working with clients with concurrent disorders an asset.
•Demonstrated knowledge of dual diagnosis best practices, common syndromes associated with developmental disability, complexities related to having both a psychiatric and developmental disability, and basic behaviour therapy principles and techniques.
•Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of principles of Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR).
•Demonstrated ability to consult and work with community care partners, inpatient program and staff, and to act as a negotiator/broker between clients and the services they access.
•Knowledge of and experience with educational systems and accommodations at the secondary and post-secondary level (including adult education).
•Knowledge, skill, and experience in group techniques, leadership, functioning and process.
•Valid driver’s licence, access to a reliable vehicle, and sufficient insurance required.
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