Vacancy Status: Please note that this posting is for an existing position
Job Type: Part-time (0.2 FTE), Permanent
Location: 1767 Dundas St E, Mississauga, ON L4X 1L5
Wellfort is seeking an Occupational Therapist to join the HHP Program.
HOMELESS HEALTH PROGRAM (HHP)
The Homeless Health Program is a Nurse Practitioner-led initiative that provides essential healthcare services to individuals who are homeless, precariously housed, or transitioning out of homelessness in the Peel Region. We understand the unique challenges faced by those without stable housing, and our goal is to make healthcare accessible, integrated, and responsive.
Our dedicated team includes Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, Registered Practical Nurses, and Personal Support Workers, all working together to ensure our patients receive the care they need, where and when they need it. We remove barriers to care for those facing housing instability and poor health.
The program manages 45 medical beds at the Dundas Street Shelter, providing 24/7 care, as well as daytime mobile primary care services at other shelters and drop-ins across the region.
By providing these services, we help hospitals make the best use of their emergency and acute care resources. Patients who no longer need to stay in the hospital but still require medical support can continue their recovery in a shelter bed with healthcare services. We also offer additional support for people in shelters who may need extra medical attention, helping to prevent unnecessary hospital visits.
This program ensures that structurally vulnerable populations in our community have access to the care they deserve, improving overall health and wellbeing.
The Opportunity
Reporting to the Program Manager, the Occupational Therapist (OT) will deliver client-centred, evidence-informed care to improve health, functional independence, and quality of life for clients experiencing complex health and social challenges. The OT will address physical, cognitive, emotional, and environmental factors that affect daily living and participation, working both independently and as part of an interprofessional team.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy
- Current registration and good standing with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- Membership with the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (optional)
- 3–5 years’ clinical and/or community-based experience, preferably with priority populations
- Experience providing care to individuals facing barriers due to poverty, discrimination, mental health, and/or substance use issues
- Understanding of determinants of health, trauma-informed care, and Indigenous Cultural Safety principles
- Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to build trust with priority populations and adapt messaging to the literacy level of individuals and communities.
- Demonstrated experience working within a multidisciplinary team and evidence of an ability to collaborate and partner.
- Working knowledge and/or an understanding of various disciplines; including but not exclusive of mental health, substance use, harm reduction, newcomer challenges and barriers faced by those in marginalized populations.
- Demonstrated cultural competence, ability to work and apply practical understanding of different elements of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as well as an understanding of social determinants of health and impact on vulnerable communities.
- Knowledge of a variety of evidence-informed treatment modalities including motivational interviewing and trauma informed practices.
- Experienced at engaging in matters that require sensitivity and empathy across a diverse community, excellent judgement, and discretion; ability to operate with various frameworks including culturally sensitive, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, 2SLGBTQ+ affirming and intersectional.
- Proficiency with EMRs and general computer applications
- Valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle
- Assistive Devices Program (ADP) authorizer preferred
- Additional languages relevant to the community served are an asset
Principal Job Duties
- Conduct occupational therapy assessments addressing functional, cognitive, psychosocial, and environmental needs
- Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans tailored to client goals, abilities, and contexts
- Provide rehabilitation interventions to support activities of daily living, emotional regulation, and social participation
- Recommend and provide adaptive equipment, assistive devices, and environmental modifications
- Apply a trauma-informed, harm reduction approach in all clinical interactions
- Facilitate skill-building and group programs to enhance daily living and community integration
- Support clients in navigating housing, healthcare, and social service systems
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation in the EMR and complete required reports
- Advocate with and for clients to reduce barriers to participation and promote equity
- Participate in program development, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives
- Provide mentorship and clinical guidance to students and colleagues, as required
- Deliver services both on-site and in outreach locations in collaboration with community partners
Working Environment & Physical Demands
- Work is primarily on-site with flexibility for outreach and mobile care
- Potential exposure to individuals in crisis situations or experiencing escalated behaviours
- Combination of client-facing interactions and administrative duties
Additional Requirements
- Satisfactory Police Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening
APPLY
Requests for accommodation due to disability can be made at any stage in the recruitment process.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to participate in WellFort’s commitment to becoming an inclusive, barrier-free health centre and an ability to work in an interdisciplinary team. We encourage applications from individuals who can identify with the diverse communities we serve and invite these candidates to voluntarily share their relevant identities as part of their application.
We thank all applicants in advance for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. No agencies.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
As a condition of employment, new WellFort staff must be fully compliant with our Vaccination Policy unless they have received an exemption from vaccination under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Proof of vaccination status will be required before the first day of work or, proof of religious or medical exemption, if or where applicable.
As part of WellFort’s hiring process, we use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to assist in screening and evaluating applications. All final hiring decisions are made by our human recruitment team.
