28-26 FTP Occupational Therapist

Pathways Posting: 28-26                                   Job Title: Occupational Therapist                   

Type of Position: Full time Permanent              Area of Search: Open

Position Location: Belleville Office                   Closing Date: April 24, 2026

Pay Rate: $84,642.02 - $94,046.72

Reporting to the Director of Clinical Services and Intake, The Occupational Therapist (OT) plays an integral role within Pathways to Independence's Clinical Department, providing specialized assessment, therapeutic intervention, and behavioural consultation services to individuals supported by Pathways. This position bridges occupational therapy principles with applied behaviour analysis and positive behaviour support frameworks to deliver holistic, function-focused care. The OT collaborates closely with multidisciplinary teams, support staff, families, and external clinical partners to design and implement individualized plans that address both occupational performance and behavioural support needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to evaluate individuals' functional abilities across domains of daily living, self-care, productivity, and leisure.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized Occupational Therapy intervention plans aligned with each person's goals, strengths, and identified needs.
• Deliver direct therapeutic services including sensory integration therapy, fine and gross motor skill development, adaptive equipment recommendations, and activity-of-daily-living training.
• Facilitate skill-building groups and structured programming to promote independence in personal care, community participation, and vocational readiness.
• Prescribe and procure protective or adaptive equipment to increase independence, maintain functioning and improve quality of life
• Assess physical and medical needs (including body positioning) to promote functional participation, prevent pain/discomfort, maintain postural alignment and minimize falls and associated injuries.
• Assess communication needs and explore options for augmentative and alternative communication modalities, including visual schedules, speech generating devices and emerging related technologies.
• Provide environmental modifications and assistive technology recommendations to enhance accessibility and functional independence within group living and community settings.
• Collaborate with and provide training to members of the interdisciplinary team (behaviour therapists, clinical consultants, nursing, frontline staff, etc.) to ensure integrated, person-centered service delivery.

Counselling & Therapeutic Support

• Provide individual therapeutic counselling and emotional regulation support to individuals, using accessible approaches appropriate for varying communication and cognitive profiles.
• Support individuals in developing coping strategies, self-advocacy skills, and emotional literacy through structured programming and naturalistic coaching.
• Facilitate trauma-informed, strengths-based therapeutic interactions that build trust, self-efficacy, and resilience.
• Support individuals through life transitions (e.g., residential placements, employment changes, bereavement) using person-centered, therapeutic frameworks.
• Consult with and provide psychoeducation to staff, families and caregivers regarding therapeutic goals, strategies, and progress. Staff Training & Capacity Building
• Design and deliver training to frontline staff on behaviour support strategies, safe therapeutic techniques, sensory-based approaches, and occupational performance supports.
• Model therapeutic techniques and provide coaching and feedback to support workers to promote consistent implementation of behaviour plans and OT recommendations in daily routines.
• Contribute to the development of agency-wide training curricula, standard operating procedures, and resource materials related to behavioural and therapeutic supports.
• Mentor frontline staff support staff in data collection practices, observational skills, and reflective practice.

Behavioural Assessment & Clinical Consultation

• Conduct formal and informal behavioural assessments using evidence-based tools appropriate for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Analyze antecedent-behaviour-consequence data and environmental variables to identify the function and maintaining factors of behaviours of concern.
• Develop written Behaviour Support Plans grounded in positive behaviour support, incorporating proactive strategies, skill-building objectives, reactive protocols, and crisis prevention/intervention procedures compliant with provincial regulations.
• Provide clinical recommendations to inform individual support plans, program modifications, staffing approaches, and environmental design.
• Liaise with the agency's Clinical Consultants and Behaviour Therapists to support the implementation, fidelity monitoring, and data-driven revision of behaviour plans.
• Participate in clinical case reviews, team consultations, and interdisciplinary planning meetings. Documentation, Reporting & Compliance
• Maintain thorough, timely, and professional clinical documentation in accordance with regulatory standards (Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services; College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario) and agency policies.
• Complete required incident documentation, risk assessments, and regulated behaviour intervention reporting.
• Track individual progress against OT and behavioural goals using outcome data; prepare progress reports, case summaries, and referral documentation as required.
• Contribute to program quality assurance activities, including chart audits, service reviews, and accreditation preparation.

Community Integration & Stakeholder Collaboration

• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with community agencies, healthcare providers, educational institutions and other partners to support holistic service delivery.
• Represent Pathways to Independence in external clinical and professional forums as appropriate.
• Support program development initiatives, including the exploration and implementation of evidence-informed models.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in occupational therapy from an accredited Canadian institution (required).
• Current registration in good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario (COTO) (required).
• Certification or formal training in Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA), Positive Behaviour Support (PBS), or a recognized behaviour intervention framework (preferred).
• BCBA designation or graduate coursework in ABA/behaviour science (preferred)

Role Related Skills

• Strong grounding in occupational therapy theory, sensory integration, motor learning, and functional rehabilitation approaches.
• Proficiency in evidence-based behavioural assessment methodologies and positive behaviour support principles.
• Familiarity with Ontario's Developmental Services sector and MCCSS and MOH standards.
• Excellent clinical documentation skills; ability to produce clear, professional reports for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to work respectfully and effectively with individuals with varying communication styles and cognitive profiles.
• Commitment to person-centered, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive practice.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to adjust communications to fit the needs and level of understanding of the receiver.
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task and meet deadlines
• Excellent ability to solve problems by conducting analysis of information, evaluation options, formulating conclusion and implementing solutions in keeping with the organization’s mission.
• Compassion and understanding of varied individuals from diverse backgrounds with a consistent, patient, diplomatic and responsive approach to a variety of circumstances.
• Exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
• Ability to maintain quality, safety and infection control standards.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with electronic health/case management systems.

Experience

• Minimum 5-6 years of experience providing occupational therapy to individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and individuals with dual diagnoses.
• Experience with individualized support planning, interdisciplinary team collaboration, and regulated behaviour intervention documentation.
• Demonstrated experience conducting functional behaviour assessments and developing Behaviour Support Plans (preferred).
• Experience working within a residential, community, or group home setting within Ontario's developmental services sector (preferred).

Working Conditions

• Willing and able to travel up to 40% of the time within the province of Ontario with overnight stays as required.
• Primarily on-site with regular attendance at the office required to support frontline operations and in-person collaboration.
• Varied community involvement in supports of individuals
• Typically sits for extended periods at a computer workstation.

The successful candidate must be able to perform the job duties as outlined in the job description. All employees at Pathways will be responsible for a commitment to safety. Please note a clear Criminal Check including a vulnerable sector search is required for this position.

How to Apply:

Interested applicants are invited to submit both a cover letter and resume reflecting the specific job requirements, qualifications, and experience, to: tylerp@pathwaysind.com

Please note that candidates will only be selected for interviews based on an evaluation of the information provided in their cover letter and resume only.

Our hiring process may include AI screening for keywords and minimum qualifications. Recruiters review all results.

We thank all applicants, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with the Freedom of Information and Privacy Act, personal information is collected and will only be used for the purpose of candidate selection. Pathways is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free selection process. If contacted regarding this competition, please advise Human Resources of accommodation measures you may require during our selection process. Information received relating to accommodation needs of applicants will be addressed confidentially.