New Dawn

Part-Time

Weekdays

Description

Position Description

The Occupational Therapist/Recreation Therapist (OT/RT) employs a relational, empowering, trauma- informed, and equity-focused approach to practice with youth ages 12 to 25. The OT/RT facilitates well-being and improved quality of life for and with youth who are experiencing challenges related to mental health and addictions. The OT/RT collaboratively develops and implements tailored, responsive individual and group programming, including life skills programs, mental health/addiction education and peer support groups, and cultural and recreational activities. The OT/RT works collaboratively with youth, members of the Integrated Youth Services team, and others, to help youth meet their goals and to support changes to care plans as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Embrace a wholistic approach to youth well-being, informed by the Pan-Canadian Guiding Principles of IYS, the social determinants of health, and the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, reconciliation, accessibility, and anti-racism (EDIRAA).
• Under the clinical supervision of the site MHA clinician, provide direct service to youth, ages 12 to 25, including,
• Collaborating with colleagues, youth, and caregivers to identify appropriate youth to work with the RT/OT, develop treatment goals, develop and implement treatment plans, integrate with other services, and continually monitor youths’ progress to ensure the appropriate type and intensity of services.
• Conducting, interpreting and utilizing standardized assessments of functioning and life skills.
• Collaborating with care providers to integrate service delivery at all levels, successfully connect youth/caregivers to services, and facilitate the coordinated transfer and secure attachment of young people to adult services.
• Where required, assisting youth in entering data (identified in the minimum data set) into the IYS-NS data platform.
• Making use of data to guide care conversations and interventions.
• In accordance with an established site outreach plan, proactively engage with youth and young adults in the community who may benefit from IYS, in order to develop a rapport and introduce them to IYS.
• Maintain timely and accurate electronic case documentation.
• On an ongoing basis, work with site staff and management, IYS coalition member organizations, Youth and Caregiver Advisory Committees, Collaborating Service Providers, and the IYS-NS Provincial Leadership Team, to ensure that the Pan-Canadian Principles of IYS guide all aspects of site services.
• Take part in relevant committees, working groups, and IYS-NS Communities of Practice.
• Take part in IYS planning, development, team-building, research, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives (locally, provincially and occasionally nationally).
• Take part in regular performance appraisals and employer/IYS-NS training and professional development.
• Act professionally and ethically, following all organizational and IYS-NS policies procedures, applicable legislation and regulations, and professional standards and code(s) of ethics.\
• Assist with the reception, welcome, and drop-in functions of the IYS-NS site.
• Participate in internal team meetings as required.
• Look for potential improvements and help implement solutions.
• Maintain quality, safety and the confidentiality of employees, clients, and volunteers.
• Maintain professionalism, tact, diplomacy, and sensitivity so as to portray New Dawn and IYS in a positive manner, consistent with its values and vision.
• Update job knowledge by participating in educational opportunities, engaging in professional networks, and participating in professional organizations.
• Respond to the needs of others with effective communication, mutual respect, and consistent follow through to build trust and workplace relationships.
• Promote the mission and values of New Dawn both internally and externally.
• Other duties as assigned by the Site Manager, Integrated Youth Services

Qualifications

Occupational Therapist:

• Registered member of the NS Society of Occupational Therapists (NSSOT).
• Registered, or eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy required.

Recreation Therapist:

• Certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by the National Council of therapeutic Recreation Certification (NRTRC) required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation or Recreation Therapy required.
• Current and up-to-date CPR and First Aid training required.
• Current and up-to-date Non-Violent Crisis Intervention training; or willingness to obtain within 3 months of employment required.
• Brain Story training or willingness to obtain within 3 months of employment required.
• Mental Health First Aid training or willingness to obtain within 3 months of employment required.
• Compassion, empathy, diplomacy, and problem solving.
• Experience working with and advocating for vulnerable populations.
• Ability to work independently, as part of a team, and with guidance.
• Exceptional attention to detail and verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with others toward shared goals.
• Highly organized and ability to work well under pressure.
• Proficiency with Microsoft suite of programs and applications.
• High level of integrity, confidentiality, and accountability.
• Understands servant leadership and community-centricity

Work Conditions

• Travel may be required.
• Manual dexterity required to use desktop computer and peripherals.
• Overtime may be required; working evenings/weekends as needed.
• Interacts with employees, management, and the public at large.
• Environment can be busy and/or noisy at times

New Dawn Enterprises believes in supporting the well-being of employees and, in service of this, has created the following compensation package for salaried employees of New Dawn Enterprises, in addition to their salaries;

Flexible Work Week

In recognition of the benefits of greater work-life balance and the value of flexibility and autonomy for human wellbeing, New Dawn makes every attempt to offer a flexible work schedule to our employees. This looks different across New Dawn divisions for each position and is structured in discussion with New Dawn management. Some examples include (where possible & appropriate) flex-time, working from home, reduced hours, etc.

Paid Vacation

All part-time salaried employees are entitled to sixty (60) hours of paid vacation, annually. 

Paid Mental & Physical Health Days

All full-time salaried employees are entitled to twenty-eight (28) hours of paid leave for mental and physical health, annually. These days can be used to take time off work for physical and/or mental wellness/illness, and to attend appointments for the employee and/or their dependents.

Paid Holidays

New Dawn observes the following thirteen (13) public holidays: New Year’s Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

In the spirit of family, the President & CEO reserves the right to close New Dawn administrative offices between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day to enable employees to spend time with their families without requiring them to use vacation hours. This decision is reviewed annually based on operational requirements. 

Group Health Employee Benefits

Group benefits for employees and dependents are provided by Group Health. Fifty percent (50%) of benefit premiums are paid by the employer, with the exception of Long-Term Disability where benefit premiums are paid fully (100%) by the employee. 

Self-Directed Registered Retirement Savings Plan  

New Dawn offers salaried employees retirement savings matching for self-directed retirement savings plans after completion of three (3) months of employment. Employees may choose to contribute up to 5% of their gross salary to a retirement savings plan, deducted from their pay cheque. Contributions are matched by the Employer to a maximum of five percent (5%).

Employee and Family Assistance Plan (EFAP)

Group Health also includes access to an Employee and Family Assistance (EFAP) Program that employees and their dependents can utilize for 24/7/365 confidential support for issues related to stress, anxiety, depression, family or relationship issues, addictions, legal or financial difficulties, health and nutrition concerns, and workplace or career difficulties. 

Café Marie Discount

All New Dawn employees are entitled to a 20% discount at Café Marie, located in the Eltuek Arts Centre.

Rewards & Recognition

New Dawn recognizes and rewards the service of salaried employees with Years of Service awards at defined milestones in their careers. New Dawn recognizes and rewards the work and achievements of salaried employees through the STAR Program with ongoing and immediate recognition throughout the year.

Professional Development  

New Dawn is committed to the ongoing professional development and lifelong learning aspirations of employees in their skills and knowledge. Employees are encouraged to discuss position-relevant professional development opportunities with their immediate Supervisor. 

About New Dawn

New Dawn Enterprises Limited is a private, volunteer-directed non-profit social enterprise dedicated to community building. It seeks to identify community needs and to establish and operate ventures that speak to those needs.

Incorporated in 1976, New Dawn is the oldest Community Development Corporation in Canada. Today it employs 150 people across 10 companies: New Dawn Homecare, Pine Tree Park Care Home and Pine Tree Park Home Living, New Dawn Meals on Wheels, the Eltuek Arts Centre, Café Marie, New Dawn Properties, Cape Breton Island Centre for Immigration, New Dawn Centre, New Dawn Community Engagement, and Abbey Ridge. All of its work is in service of building a more vibrant and self-reliant Unama'ki-Cape Breton Island.

About Integrated Youth Services

Integrated Youth Services (IYS) is a dynamic international and pan-Canadian movement that aims to transform how youth access and receive services for substance use, mental health issues, and other key challenges.

Operating within a community-led, partnership-based model, Integrated Youth Services-Nova Scotia (IYS-NS) will offer young people and their caregivers a range of in-person and virtual services, programs, and supports, in one convenient location. In doing so, IYS-NS sites will provide a coordinated response that puts youth and caregivers at the centre.

Location Information

Community

Sydney

County

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Province

Nova Scotia

Country

Canada

Opportunity Information

Employer

New Dawn

NOC Code

Occupational therapists (31203)

Experience Required

Yes

Available Openings

1

Pay Type

Salary

Pay Period

Annually

Remuneration Per Pay Period

$40000.00 per year

Estimated Weekly Hours

—

Start Date

April 7th 2025

End Date

—

Language

English

Language Proficiency Level

Posted on

March 18th 2025

Expires

April 1st 2025