Nova Scotia Health and IWK Health·Halifax, Nova Scotia
The Occupational Therapist is responsible for assessing, evaluating, and developing care plans for children within a tertiary, interdisciplinary rehabilitation clinic. They collaborate with families, healthcare team members, and community partners to ensure continuity of care and participate in discipline-specific meetings and committees.
Click here to apply as an internal applicant.
IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region.
We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers and learners at sites across Nova Scotia.
People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities.
We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes.
We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values, and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs.
We are proud to support our patients, families, and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.
Promoting an anti-racist environment and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportion of transgender and non-binary people of any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases, and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.The Opportunity Reporting to the Manager, Rehabilitation Services, the Occupational Therapist works as part of the tertiary, interdisciplinary Rehab Clinic team in a Family-Centred Care Environment. The Occupational Therapist is responsible for assessment and evaluation, as well as the development of care plans for children referred to the Rehab Clinic. This may be on a direct, consultative or monitoring basis. The Therapist communicates and collaborates with clients/families, primary OTs and other team members, and community partners to ensure continuity of care. This position requires review of the health record, as well as documentation of OT assessment findings, care plan suggestions, and care plan changes for clients. The Therapist participates in team and discipline meetings, discipline and Health Centre-related activities/committees, and Pediatric Rehabilitation sub-committees as appropriate. The Occupational Therapist shares responsibility with all Occupational Therapists to provide caseload coverage throughout the Health Centre, as required.Hours of Work Monday to Friday 830-430. Flexibility required for centre-wide coverage.Your Qualifications
Graduate of the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT) Approved Occupational Therapy Program required.
Registered member of the Nova Scotia Occupational Therapy Regulator (NSOTR) (previously known as the College of Occupational Therapists of Nova Scotia (COTNS)) required.
Registered, or eligible for membership, in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) is required.
Two years of clinical experience as an Occupational Therapist and delivering occupational therapy services with child and adolescent populations with developmental disabilities preferred (pediatric rehab preferred).
Current successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support Level (BLS) Program within the last 12 months, or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate, is required.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team as well as the ability to work independently is required.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team, as well as the ability to work independently, is required.
Demonstrated interpersonal, presentation, and communication (verbal and written) skills required
Demonstrated ability to collaborate, coach, and support other healthcare professionals
Excellent time management, organization, and problem-solving skills required
Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to family-centered care required.
Experience in splinting preferred
Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in assessment and intervention for school-age children and youth with developmental disabilities is required.
Knowledge of program-based care an asset.
Competency in other languages is an asset.Thank you for your interest in IWK Health. Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing), you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process. This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units, or employment status are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position. An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials. If you are an employee of IWK Health, please apply through the internal careers page to ensure you are flagged as an internal applicant.
Candidates must hold a degree from a WFOT-approved Occupational Therapy program and be registered with the NSOTR. Additionally, applicants should have at least two years of clinical experience with pediatric populations and possess current BLS certification.
Market context
Demand for allied-health roles such as medical laboratory technologists in Nova Scotia is typically steady because hospitals and diagnostic services rely on timely testing across shift schedules, including weekends and holidays. Competition often centers on licensure status, graduation from an approved program, and readiness for shiftwork, while benefits like health, dental, travel, disability, and life insurance can make offers more attractive. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits here to save time, then confirm your NSRMLS or CSMLS eligibility before applying.
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