Behaviour Therapist, Neurodevelopmental Health – Temporary Full-Time (1.0) (Until March 2027)

Position Summary

The Behaviour Therapist, who works under the clinical supervision of the Registered Behaviour Analyst, provides Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) based services to individuals often presenting with neurodevelopmental conditions and/or mental health needs. Service is provided in both one-to-one and group settings in a variety of environments. The Behaviour Therapist is responsible for delivering frontline care (either working directly with clients or via caregiver mediated treatment), professional to professional consults, and multidisciplinary case conferencing. Under the clinical supervision of the Registered Behaviour Analyst, a Behaviour Therapist is involved in various ABA based services, including assessment, safety planning, treatment and therapeutic programming, behaviour management, skill acquisition, building capacity, mediator training, and clinical consultation activities across a variety of inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. The Behaviour Therapist promotes quality improvement in all endeavours and supports safety initiatives, to minimize risk and strive for optimal organizational performance and safety benefiting staff, clients, their families, volunteers, visitors, and the community. The Behaviour Therapist works in compliance with the law and with safe work practices and policies established by CHEO to maintain a safe work environment.

Main Responsibilities

• Plan and complete Functional Behaviour Assessments for a range of behaviours including, but not limited to, severe challenging behaviours such aggressive behaviour, minor and major property destruction, inappropriate social behaviour in the community, as well as life-threatening, and sexually inappropriate behaviour.
• Research, develop, design, deliver, monitor, and evaluate therapeutic treatment programs.
• Respond appropriately to situations requiring immediate problem-solving to provide effective, safe, and ethical treatments for a range of severity of challenging behaviours in virtual, in home, and community environments as well as individually or in a group setting.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, committees (internal and external) and initiatives designed to support the clients, families, direct care staff, and community partners.
• Prepare and maintain formal documentation including but not limited to assessment reports, collecting and graphing assessment and treatment data, treatment plans, safety plans, guidelines, program review summaries, discharge summaries, electronic records charting, session progress notes, strategy recommendations, consent forms, supervision review summaries, and email communication with the family and care team (including external providers).
• Manage own schedule after given assignments by corresponding with families and other professionals to schedule client consultations/ appointments/groups/interpreters and meetings and then booking the appointments in the electronic booking system sending invites and maintaining outlook calendars on a daily basis. Travelling to clients as required.
• Perform work in accordance with the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and all CHEO corporate/departmental policies and procedures related to Occupational Health and Safety.
• Perform other related duties as required and assigned.

Qualifications

• A three (3) year (advanced) college diploma in Behaviour Science, Behavioural Psychology, or related Social Science field OR a Postgraduate certificate in Behaviour Science field, (e.g. Behavioural Science Technician, Autism and Behavioral Science) (Essential)
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g. Social Sciences, Psychology, etc.) (Preferred)
• Minimum three (3) years' recent experience developing and delivering therapeutic treatment programs based in Applied Behaviour Analysis, or equivalent experience (i.e., 5 years recent experience working with children/youth with developmental disabilities and/or complex mental health, behavioural and/or medical needs) (Essential)
• Five (5) years of experience developing and delivering therapeutic treatment programs based in Applied Behaviour Analysis (Preferred)
• Current First Aid/CPR Certification (Essential)
• Computer, word processing skills, and advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (including Excel, PowerPoint, Word) (Essential)
• Basic office and clerical skills (Essential)
• Highly level of accuracy and attention to detail (Essential)
• Flexible approach to work demands (Essential)
• Taking initiative and adjusting priorities (Essential)
• Clinical skills that demonstrate competence in assessment with children & youth and their families/caregivers (Essential)
• Advanced knowledge and application of behaviour analytic principles including behavioural measurement, data display and interpretation; conducting, describing, and interpreting functional behaviour assessments; selecting, designing, and implementing skill acquisition strategies; and, behaviour reduction procedures (Essential)
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills (Essential)
• Knowledge of community resources for children, youth and adults with special needs (Preferred)
• Working knowledge of applicable occupational health and safety legislation; general knowledge of corporate/departmental policies and procedures related to health and safety (Essential)
• Valid Ontario's driver's license and access to a vehicle (Essential)
• Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) (Essential)
• Bilingualism (French/English) (Preferred)

Location: Ottawa

Union representation: Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU)

Note: Timeline may be extended or shortened based on operational needs. Location may be subject to change at any time at the discretion of the employer. All OPSEU members shall be granted an interview upon pass…