Status: Temporary, Full- time (contract ending October 1, 2027)
Location: St. Catharines, Ontario
Open Date: June 10, 2026
Closing Date: July 9, 2026
Who We Are
Niagara Children’s Centre is recognized throughout the Niagara Region as the provider of rehabilitation and support services to children and youth with physical, developmental and communicative delays and disabilities. Core services include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language services, augmentative and alternative communication, family services and therapeutic recreation. Our family-centred programs aim at helping each child achieve their own unique potential within their home, school and in the community.
As an employee of the Centre, you will be part of a community dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the children and youth we serve. We are a place where families are at the heart of all we do. We continue to provide innovative ways of delivering high quality services and strengthening our family-centred care philosophy. We want to see “Niagara’s Children and Youth at Their Best!” Join a team that makes a real difference in the lives of children and youth every day.
The Role
The Physiotherapist works to evaluate, restore and maintain physical functions of clients with a goal towards increased participation and quality of life. This process includes assessment, goal setting, treatment planning, and implementation of treatment in a direct, indirect or consultative manner, as indicated, until discharge/transition to school.
As an employee of the Centre, you will be part of a community dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for the children and youth we serve. We are a place where families are at the heart of all we do. Join a team that makes a real difference in the lives of children and youth every day.
Key Responsibilities:
- Assessment: The Physiotherapist assesses a child’s motor development, range of motion, muscle tone, muscle strength, mobility, community accessibility, and equipment need. This may include standardized and non-standardized assessment of the child’s motor skills as well as the physical characteristics of the child’s environments. Assessment may take place at a variety of locations, such as the Centre, the child’s home, school, pre-school and other community settings.
- Treatment Planning: On the basis of the assessment, the Physiotherapist collaborates with the child/family, teacher, school, other therapists, and others who may be involved, to identify goals and to establish an appropriate treatment plan to achieve the goals.
- Intervention: The Physiotherapist provides intervention to achieve the treatment plan and to increase or maintain range of motion and prevent deformities; increase or maintain strength; motor development, mobility and functional independence; and to decrease pain. Treatment may include pool therapy, the design and development of exercise programs, and the prescription and fabrication of equipment or orthotics. Intervention may be provided in various environments; through a variety of service delivery options (e.g., individual, group, parent education, home programming) on a direct or indirect or consultative basis and either in a single disciplinary setting or as part of an interdisciplinary team.
- Supervision: The Physiotherapist may be requested to supervise PTA’s as part of his/her regular workload and in doing so, must adhere to the policies established in the College’s Standard for Physiotherapists Working with Physiotherapist Support Personnel (June 2005/Updated March 2010). The PT may also be requested to supervise students or volunteers.
- Documentation: The Physiotherapist is responsible for report writing in accordance with the College of Physiotherapists ofOntario guidelines (such as assessments, progress reports, transition reports, and discharge summaries). In addition, there may be documentation requirements such as internal and external referrals, funding application forms on behalf of families or parent correspondence. The Physiotherapist is also responsible for the daily and accurate recording in the Centre’s data collection system of daily activities and clients seen and to comply with all established clinical standards for documentation.
- Education: The Physiotherapist is responsible for providing education to parents and the community; promotional activities on behalf of the Centre. Through conferences, lectures and other training the Physiotherapist will keep current in new approaches and research, particularly if assigned to a specialized clinic with emerging and changing knowledge and technology.
Health and Safety
The Physiotherapist will comply with the duties assigned to Workers as per Section 28 of the Ontario Occupational Health and Safety Act.
Accountability and Freedom to Act:
The incumbent has latitude for discretion within practices and procedures covered by precedents, Centre policy and procedure manuals, standards of the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario, and supervisory review.
Key Relationships:
The Physiotherapist is concerned with the effectiveness of all relationships that affect the Centre. The following are particularly significant to the position:
External
- Children, and their families and other caregivers
- Regulated professionals involved in the care of the child/family such as physicians, public health personnel, nurse practitioners
- Teachers and Educational Assistants in all school and childcare systems
- Staff of Community partner agencies and programs
- Vendors and suppliers of equipment and services being considered for use by clients
- Staff at relevant government offices/branches that are responsible for approval and/or provision of client specific funding, services or equipment
- Case managers at HNHB Community Care Access Centre (if assigned to Acute Home Care)
Internal
- Staff at all levels in the organization
Performance Factors:
In assessing the performance of an incumbent in this position, the following factors will be utilized as appropriate:
- Workload and productivity relative to established standards
- Clinical outcomes – the degree to which care plans are well-designed and goals are achieved
- Demonstration of specified clinical competencies or advanced competencies as appropriate
- Documentation – the accuracy, relevance and timeliness
- Relationships and communication with – clients and families, colleagues, staff from other agencies
Position Specifications:
Education:
The minimum specifications for an incumbent will include:
- Registration and membership in good standing with the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario
Knowledge/Skills:
- A sound understanding and skill in the practice of physiotherapy
- Demonstrated ability to consistently maintain professional and respectful communication and collaboration with clients and families, colleagues, managers, and community partners
- Knowledge and demonstrated ability to uphold principles of family-centred care, provide exceptional customer service, and utilize a strength-based, anti-racist, anti-ableism, and anti-oppressive approach to service delivery and interactions with stakeholders
- Ability to identify goals and establish appropriate treatment plans to achieve said goals with children, youth, families and other care providers both in-person and virtual
- Demonstrated initiative and self-management
- Computer literacy utilizing MS Office software applications
- Ability to effectively support families in complex situations
- Ability to work with families from a variety of cultures that is inclusive and culturally appropriate
- Bilingual at a superior or advanced level of French is an asset
- A current criminal reference check for vulnerable populations
Other:
- Access to a vehicle and possession of a driver’s license valid for the province of Ontario is required
- A current criminal reference check for vulnerable populations
- CPR certification
- Evidence of Non-violent crisis intervention training
Why Join Us?
- We provide a total rewards package that supports your well-being and supports and encourages continuous professional development and growth.
- Provide a competitive hiring range of $83,050.5 - $97,812 commensurate with experience.
- Participation in a Defined Benefit Pension Plan (HOOPP) from day one of employment with us and access to the Employee and Family Assistance program.
- Employee wellbeing initiatives and programs
- Inclusive environment that allows everyone to feel welcomed and part of a dedicated team
Application Process
If you are inspired by the work of Niagara Children’s Centre and would like to join our team, we want to hear from you! To review the job description and pursue this career opportunity, please visit our website at www.niagarachildrenscentre.com
This posting is for an existing, immediate vacancy within our Clinical team. We will be reviewing candidate submissions as they are received and move forward with interviews. Early submission is encouraged.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools are not used to evaluate applications for this role. Your application will be reviewed directly by our hiring team.
Niagara Children’s Centre is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodation is available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) for applicants invited to an interview.
We thank all those who apply but only those selected for further consideration will be contacted. The selected candidate will be required to participate in a Criminal Background Check.
Pay: $42.59-$50.16 per hour
Benefits:
- Company events
- Company pension
- Employee assistance program
- On-site parking
Licence/Certification:
- Registration with College of Physiotherapists of Ontario (required)
Work Location: In person
