Occupational Therapist – Early Psychosis Intervention Program

About the Job:

SHIP is seeking a full-time, temporary Occupational Therapist to join its Early Psychosis Intervention Program. As part of a multidisciplinary team, the Occupational Therapist provides clinic- and community-based assessments, interventions, and recovery-oriented support. The role serves youth and emerging adults aged 14 to 35 who are experiencing a primary psychotic disorder, often during a first episode of psychosis.

Reporting to the Program Manager, the Occupational Therapist serves in a dual capacity, providing Supported Education and Employment services and fulfilling the role of Family Educator. The Occupational Therapist works in partnership with clients, families, natural supports, community providers, educators, and employers. The role emphasizes timely, person-centered, culturally responsive, and evidence-informed care that promotes functional recovery, meaningful participation, and the achievement of education and employment goals.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Complete comprehensive occupational therapy assessments addressing occupational performance, daily living, sensory and cognitive functioning, routines, social participation, education, employment and community involvement.
• Collaboratively develop, implement and evaluate individualized service plans that reflect each client’s strengths, preferences, culture, developmental stage, recovery goals and identified risks.
• Provide evidence-informed individual and group interventions, including psychoeducation, functional skill development, wellness and recovery planning, cognitive and sensory strategies, and support with community participation.
• Providing the Supported Education and Employment (SEE) component of this model of care will include job development as well as deliver education and employment interventions using supported education and employment principles from the Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) Model.
• Complete functional, vocational and educational assessments; support rapid engagement in competitive employment or mainstream education based on client preference.
• Provide job-development support by cultivating relationships with employers, educational institutions, community agencies and other partners, while protecting client choice, privacy and autonomy.
• Engage families and other support persons, with client consent, in assessment, care planning, education and shared decision-making.
• Provide assessment, intervention, and evaluation of services for families of those youth experiencing a primary psychotic disorder, within an inter-professional team.
• Coordinate care across SHIP programs, primary care, hospitals, schools, post-secondary institutions, employers and community services to promote continuity and reduce service fragmentation.
• Recognize and respond to clinical deterioration, crisis, suicide risk, substance use concerns and behaviours that may pose a risk, in accordance with legislation, organizational policy and professional standards.
• Maintain timely, accurate and confidential clinical documentation and contribute to transitions, discharge planning and follow-up.

• Participate in team consultation, case review, service coordination and integrated care planning.
• Contribute to program development, continuous quality improvement, outcome measurement, evaluation, research and educational activities.
• Support the orientation and clinical education of students and learners and, when required, provide supervision to Master of Occupational Therapy students.
• Advocate at the client, community and system levels to improve equitable access to education, employment, health and social supports.
• Promote a psychologically and physically safe workplace that values diversity, equity, inclusion, collaboration and continuous learning.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy; alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy together with a Master’s degree in occupational therapy, rehabilitation science or a related field.
• Registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO), with professional liability insurance that meets COTO requirements.
• Membership in the Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists and/or the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
• Preferred minimum of three years of relevant experience supporting people living with serious mental illness, ideally in an early psychosis, youth mental health, community mental health or addictions setting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of early intervention in psychosis, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, mood disorders with psychosis, psychosocial rehabilitation, recovery-oriented practice, concurrent disorders and harm reduction.
• Knowledge of family systems theory, psycho-social rehabilitation, crisis intervention, addiction issues, severe andsistent mental illness, especially schizophrenia, and primary mood disorders with psychosis
• Experience completing functional, occupational, educational and vocational assessments and delivering individual and group interventions.
• Knowledge of Ontario community mental health, education, employment, income, housing and social-service resources.
• Competence in crisis assessment and intervention, safety planning, de-escalation and responding to behaviours that may pose a risk.

Assets:

• Training or experience in an evidence-based coordinated specialty care model for early psychosis.
• Knowledge of the Individual Placement and Support model and supported education practices.
• Experience with employer engagement, job development and rapid job placement.
• Experience working with youth, emerging adults and families from diverse communities.

Core Competencies:

• Strong therapeutic engagement and relationship-building skills with clients and their support networks.
• Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, anti-racist and culturally safe practice.
• Sound clinical judgment, critical thinking, organization, adaptability and independent decision-making.
• Effective communication, consultation, conflict-resolution and interprofessional collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance client choice and dignity with clinical, ethical, legal and safety responsibilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to reflective practice, quality improvement and evidence-informed care.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements:

• Day shifts (Monday – Friday) with flexible scheduling.
• Contract position until September 30, 2027
• Able to drive, walk (site locations) regularly.
• Able to work in office, community and partner settings in accordance with program and client needs.
• Regular travel by vehicle within the program’s Ontario service area is required.
• Able to answer and communicate telephone calls and general computer use.
• Able to lift up to 20lbs (product, documents, etc.)

Ship Values:

• Compassion, Hope, Inclusive, Respect, Professional

About Us

Services and Housing In the Province (SHIP) is a Provincial leader in the broader public sector that builds strategic partnerships and programs that support the fundamental rights for Housing and Health Services throughout the Peel Region, Dufferin County, Region of Waterloo and surrounding areas.

Our commitment to increase quality of life through health services and housing supports that promote mental and physical health and wellness is at the forefront of every employee we hire. We value compassion, hope, inclusiveness, respect, and professionalism.

Our organization has supported the region for over 35 years and employs over 550 passionately engaged employees ranging from office administration, nurses, and service health specialists to housing specialists all dedicated to the community, clients, and families.

Accessibility

“SHIP strives to be equitable and inclusive in all that we do. Equity is a core value, and we are committed to providing an inclusive selection process. We encourage applicants from equity deserving communities including women, Black, Indigenous, other racialized groups, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, individuals with disabilities and others who will contribute to and enrich the organization and its values. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment, selection processes, and work environments. Please advise the People and Culture Department of any accommodations needed in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Ontario Human Rights Code to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process”.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply before November 11, 2026

Why Work For Us?

Work-Life Balance

SHIP believes a healthy work-life balance is essential for both professional success and personal well-being. We strive to create a company culture that values and supports the well-being of our employees, while also pushing innovation in our organization

Our Vision
Quality Housing, Quality Services, Quality Lives

Our Mission
To increase quality of life through health services and housing supports that promote mental and physical health and wellness

Our Culture
Leader and innovative partner in the community. Our programs welcome employees into our caring, compassionate, and innovative culture. We listen; we know what it means, and why it matters.

Our Commitment
People are at the forefront of our success. Below are just a few ways our full-time permanent staff have personal and professional success:

• Competitive Salaries with Annual Performance Reviews
• Comprehensive Health Plans
• Group RRSP (5% Employer Contributions)
• 12 Paid Health, Wellness, and Sick Days
• 10 Paid Vacation Days
• 3 Paid Personal/Floating Holidays
• Generous Parental and Family Leave
• Learning and Development Opportunities
• Travel Allowances
• Employee Assistance Program
• Company Culture to be Proud of
• Possibility to Create a Real Impact

35+

Years focused on Clients, Tenants, Staff, and Families

5,000+

Clients and Residents served annually

20+

Programs and Service offerings in Southern Ontario

500+

Dedicated, Respectful, Compassionate and Professional Employees

Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 4:30pm
Union | 37. 5 hours per week