Edmonton Catholic Schools is a large urban school division whose mission is to provide a Catholic education that inspires students to learn and that prepares them to live fully and to serve God in one another. The Division is comprised of over 44,000 students and 5,000 employees in 95 schools plus other sites.
Requisition ID: 8860
Hours Per Week: 35
Department: Occu, Phy & MH Therapy
No Months Per Year: 10
Position Status: Temporary
Employee Group: OOS
Rate of Pay: $70,059.00 - $87,587.00
Posting Closing Date: 9/30/24
The primary focus of this position is providing occupational therapy mental health services (assessment, treatment, external referrals) to learners that qualify for supports from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Mental health is essential to student learning. The incumbent will work in a mental health role work collaboratively with inter-professional team members (therapists, teachers, administration, support staff) to support student success. The incumbent’s primary role will be to provide mental health assessment and treatment, primarily through one on one counselling sessions, to students across various age groups and multiple schools.
Job Responsibilities
- Conduct bio-psycho-social mental health assessments and therapeutic interventions (primarily 1:1 counselling) with students with mental health challenges
- Administer, score and interpret standardized paediatrics occupational therapy assessments, if needed
- Identify difficulties in self-care, fine motor, perceptual, sensory integration skills and mental heath challenges
- Write assessments and treatment reports (year-end summaries, etc.) to share with parents and professionals within and outside of the Edmonton Catholic School system
- Monitor student’s progress by providing ongoing observation of progress development in the areas of mental health challenges, executive function, self-help skills, life skills, fine motor skills, gross motor development, self-care, seating and mobility, AAC, socialization and engagement skills, in collaboration with other members of the inter-disciplinary team
- Provide occupational therapy supports and intervention within the context of typical class and school activities (circle time, snack time, subject specific lessons, option classes, fine motor project time, physical education, etc.)
- Generalize intervention strategies to all natural environments, which include programming for generalization in the classroom, home, and new environments
- Develop and implement lessons and activities to target individual goals of students as outlined in Individual Program Plans
- Direct and assist students in performing daily classroom routines, Lead instruction and activities with large and small groups of students
- Devise and support parents in implementing strategies at home to permit carry-over of learning to home
- Consult with other professionals (both within and outside of the Division) and coordinate outside referrals (e.g. mental health specialist referrals, other)
- Liaise closely with the school team, support staff, therapists, social workers, specialists , consultants, administrators and parents who participate as part of each child’s program planning team
- Create classroom and treatment schedules and lesson plans in collaboration with the classroom teacher
- Participate in Individual Program Planning (IPP) meeting with other professionals and caregivers
- Participate in professional development for parents, teachers, Educational Assistants and Therapeutic Assistants that model effective strategies within the discipline
- Collaborate with other agencies to improve service delivery within the Division
Qualifications
- Master of Science in Occupational Therapy or equivalent, with course work that includes assessment and treatment of fine motor, gross motor, visual motor and mental health challenges.
- General Register Practice Permit with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapist (ACOT) is mandatory
- Knowledge of paediatric mental health screening tools and functional assessment assessment/intervention approaches as well as sensory processing is strongly recommended
- Experience working with child and youth mental health and/or addictions with therapeutic modalities commonly used in psychosocial intervention
- Experience and/or professional development training (e.g. Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training) conducting suicide risk assessments and safety planning
- In this multi-disciplinary setting, it is essential to be well informed in all disciplines (Speech Language, Physical, behavioural interventions, and psychology) to meet the needs of the whole child.
- Knowledge of facilitation, coaching, consultation and instructional techniques and principles.
- Knowledge of community resources and mental health programs to support external referrals meet student’s individual needs
- Knowledge of workplace safety including an awareness of Occupational Health and Safety regulations
- General knowledge of the Division’s operations and business
- Advanced problem solving, assessment and analytical skills
- Skills to facilitate the consultant role through education, training and assisting other professionals and caregivers
- Strong demonstration and oral presentation skills
- Strong leadership skills and the ability to influence decision making.
- Ability to establish rapport and trust in working relationships with administration, teachers, families, and community agencies
- Superior oral and written communications skills including the ability to write detailed reports
- Ability to communicate highly technical information to parents and others outside of the profession
- Strong time management, organizational and planning skills and the ability to prioritize responsibilities
Edmonton Catholic Schools is committed to maintaining a respectful and inclusive workplace that welcomes and values candidates from diverse backgrounds. We hire employees of all faiths for non-teacher positions.
As a Catholic School Division receiving public funding, our schools and departments are imbued with our Catholic Faith. Candidates are expected to exhibit respect and sensitivity towards our Catholic beliefs and practices embraced by both students and staff.
Edmonton Catholic Schools offers a comprehensive benefits program based on contract status as part of its total compensation package.
Before employment, successful candidates will be required to submit a Police Information Check and Intervention Record Check dated within six months of hiring.
Due to the high volume of applications received, only qualified candidates who are shortlisted will be contacted.
