Occupational Therapist - Tertiary Mental Health

Come work as an Occupational Therapist with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)! Relocation Assistance may be available. Apply today to speak to a Talent Acquisition Advisor!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for an Occupational Therapist to join the Tertiary Mental Health team at Vancouver General Hospital. Apply today to join our team!

As an Occupational Therapist with VCH you will:

• Provide occupational therapy services to individuals who have complex mental health illnesses and may have co-occurring addictions and medical conditions to enable clients to achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes by working independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Perform assessments of clients occupational performance utilizing an evidence-based approach.
• Plan and implement outcome oriented services.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the services.
• Prepare and maintains records participate in interdisciplinary research demonstrate safe and effective resource utilization and quality management and contribute to the development review and promotion of occupational therapy services.
• Use knowledge and skill in the area of professional practice to independently manage a complex caseload and implements occupational therapy services utilizing diverse intervention approaches.
• Act as an Occupational Therapy resource for the designated area/s and provides education and counseling to clients/families.
• As required contribute to the organization and delivery of occupational therapy services provide leadership direction and clinical guidance to rehabilitation staff and participates in departmental/program quality improvement initiatives meetings research and education.
  
  

ABOUT WILLOW PAVILION (VGH)

Willow Pavilion is a Regional Tertiary Mental Health & Substance Use facility located on the Vancouver General Hospital Campus. It is an advanced practice environment that offers wrap-around services to clients experiencing refractory psychiatric conditions. The interdisciplinary team includes occupational physical vocational and recreation therapists and assistants pharmacists dieticians social workers nurses rehabilitation workers doctors peer support workers and others.

Education & Experience

• Baccalaureate in Occupational Therapy.
• Two (2) years recent related experience working in a psychiatric setting with individuals who have complex mental health and addictions issues or equivalent.
• Current full registration as an Occupational Therapist with the College of Health and Care Professionals of BC (CHCPBC).
• Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT).

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of the principles of recovery in mental illness.
• Knowledge of Psychosocial Rehabilitation methodology.
• Knowledge of the Mental Health Act as it applies to the rights and obligations of clients and staff.
• Knowledge of community social and mental health resources.
• Ability to identify emotional social or environmental barriers and intervene to eliminate stigma.
• Ability to effectively manage conflict situations and aggressive behaviour and use non-violent crisis intervention and behavioural management techniques.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with clients families team members other groups and community agency personnel.
• Broad knowledge of therapy theory and clinical practice within a client and family centred model of care.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower clients to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required.
• Basic knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice related to designated program/area.
• Basic understanding of trauma-informed care.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized client care information system and word processing spreadsheet Internet and e-mail software.
• Basic knowledge of clinical standardized tests and measures.
• Basic knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Skill in the use of equipment and in the techniques appropriate to occupational therapy treatment.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care research and teaching delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH we embrace thinking boldly taking smart risks and going first when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

Comprehensive health benefits package including MSP extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
Wellness supports including counselling critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff medical staff and volunteers
Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

At Vancouver Coastal Health our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices diverse teams and inclusive environments which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of BCs Top Employers Canadas Best Diversity Employers and Canadas Top Employers for Young People in 2025.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.