What an occupational therapist does
Occupational therapists help people take part in everyday activities after injury, illness or disability, or as they age. They assess function at home, work and school, recommend equipment and home modifications, and develop strategies for self-care, cognition and return to work. For employers, an experienced OT is central to rehabilitation planning, discharge from hospital and the assessments that insurers and funders rely on when making decisions about care.
OT work varies widely: an assessor completing auto insurance reports has a very different day from a school-based OT or a hospital clinician. Finch asks about your caseload, travel, report writing and the funders involved, then looks for candidates with matching experience. We confirm registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario and discuss the independence and support each role offers.
Typical responsibilities
- Assess clients' physical, cognitive and emotional function in daily activities
- Recommend assistive devices, equipment and home or workplace modifications
- Develop and deliver treatment plans that build independence
- Write detailed assessment reports for insurers, funders or care teams
- Plan safe discharges and return-to-work or return-to-school programs
- Coordinate with families, physicians and other rehab professionals
Qualifications and credentials
- Current registration with the College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario
- Master's degree in occupational therapy or equivalent recognized education
- Professional liability insurance
- Experience with relevant assessments, such as functional, cognitive or home safety assessments
- Strong report writing for auto insurance, WSIB or other funders where relevant
- A valid driver's licence for community roles
Who hires an occupational therapist
- Community rehab and auto insurance assessment providers
- Hospitals and rehabilitation centres
- Home and community care organizations
- School boards and children's treatment programs
- Long-term care homes
Where we recruit occupational therapist candidates
We fill occupational therapist roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Confirm College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario registration and any terms or conditions
- Discuss report-writing experience and the turnaround times your funders expect
- Match clinical area, such as neurology, paediatrics or mental health, to your caseload
- Discuss travel, caseload and independence expectations
- Check references from clinical managers or senior OTs
Interview questions to ask
- How do you structure a home safety assessment for a client recently discharged from hospital?
- How do you write a report that is clear to both an insurer and the client?
- How do you set goals with a client who is reluctant to change their routine?