The Occupational Therapist collaborates with educational staff, families, and other professionals to support student success. This role provides assessment and intervention services to students from pre-school to Grade 12 with multiple complex needs. The occupational therapist focuses on identifying and addressing needs related to the school environment, self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing, gross motor, fine motor, executive functioning skills as well as mental health to enhance students' access, participation, independence, and engagement in school activities. The occupational therapist supervises therapeutic assistants for occupational therapy (TAOTs) who implement programming directly with students.

This posting will remain open until filled.

Responsibilities and Activities

1. Assessment and Reporting (40%)

- Conduct screening/assessment of students’ strengths, abilities, and areas of need related to self-care, emotional regulation, sensory processing, gross motor, fine motor, executive functioning, mental health, assistive technology and/or alternative and augmentative communication (AAC) device access.
- Conduct environmental and task analysis assessments to address environmental barriers to participation (built environment, social environment, activity materials), or barriers related to activity demands.
- Assess, trial and recommend equipment (sensory and regulation tools, adaptive equipment, assistive technology, mounting equipment, other) related to student needs.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of assessments, interventions, and student progress to meet College and Division standards of practice, support team communication, and track student outcomes of intervention.




- Prepare and submit paperwork to external organizations (health specialists, Alberta Aids to Daily Living) that support students’ families with funding for adaptive equipment required at school.

2. Intervention Services (35%)

- Provide clinical supervision, therapeutic goals, modeling and coaching to therapeutic assistants for occupational therapy, who act as an extension of the occupational therapist in the classroom
- Create intervention plans that encompass strategies, equipment, and staff coaching required to maximize student access, participation, independence, and engagement in all school environments.
- Monitor and adjust interventions based on student progress and team feedback through regular visits to promote success of student interventions.
- Apply the principles of universal design for learning, inclusion, neurodiversity-affirming practices and trauma-sensitive practices in all aspects of services, including assessment, intervention and documentation.
- Advocate for students and support staff in creating safe, caring school environments that promote inclusion, belonging and participation for students at higher risk of marginalization (physical differences, neurodivergence or other needs).

3. Collaboration and Consultation (15%)

- Collaborate with teachers, parents, multi-disciplinary team,



and other professionals to develop and implement therapy intervention plans tailored to students’ individual strengths, needs and context to support success.
- Provide families with student assessment reports or letters to initiate referrals for health assessment or services (neuro-developmental clinics, feeding and swallowing clinics, Family Services of Children with Disabilities, other).
- Collaborate with outside partners such as Alberta Health Services, Alberta Aids to Daily Living, equipment vendors, and other services to support student assessment for adaptive equipment or other needs.
- Work with Inclusive Consultants to problem-solve issues related to providing students with access to the school.

4. Career development and Staff Training (10%)

- Provide individual training to school staff on equipment, strategies, best practices, and staff/student safety techniques to support successful implementation of therapy goals.
- Create professional development training for groups of professionals (educators, support staff, others) on topics within scope to meet staff needs.
- Participate in ongoing professional development by attending workshops, training, and engaging in self-directed learning to enhance professional knowledge, skills and provision of high-quality services to students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Competencies

Knowledge:

- Master’s degree or equivalent in occupational therapy with current registration with the Alberta College of Occupational Therapists.
- At least 3 years’ experience working with pediatric clients is preferred.
- Registered equipment authorizer with Alberta Aids to Daily Living is pref

📌 Occupational Therapist (Edmonton)
🏢 Edmonton Catholic School Division
📍 Edmonton