Associate Consultant – Occupational Therapist
Cornerstone Occupational Therapy Consultants is a well-established occupational therapy practice providing community-based services across Nova Scotia and in Ottawa. We are currently seeking an Occupational Therapist to join our team as an Associate Consultant on a contract basis.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking Occupational Therapists who:
- Have 3+ years of experience as an Occupational Therapist (preferred)
- Are available to work flexible hours on a fee-for-service basis
- Possess strong professional writing and documentation skills
- Are comfortable working independently from home
- Are able to travel locally to client homes or workplaces
- Enjoy problem-solving and collaborative work
- Are excited about learning new skills and working as a team
Applicants must:
- Be registered with NSOTR (Nova Scotia Occupational Therapy Regulator) for Nova Scotia-based work
- Be comfortable working independently in the community
- Have strong assessment and report writing skills
- Have access to a reliable vehicle and be able to travel to surrounding areas
- Be interested in learning and expanding private practice skills
Candidates with experience or interest in the following areas are encouraged to apply:
- Private practice occupational therapy
- Mental health intervention (e.g., anxiety, depression, PTSD)
- Acquired brain injury
- Vocational rehabilitation (ergonomics, return-to-work planning)
What Cornerstone Provides
Cornerstone supports consultants with the infrastructure needed to succeed.
We provide:
- Flexible scheduling – chose the number of hours and caseload structure that works for you
- Ability to build your caseload gradually, and/or maintain a caseload alongside another role
- Competitive fee-for-service compensation
- Opportunities to contribute to practice operations and administrative projects, if desired
- Mentorship and clinical coaching for private practice work
- Administrative and billing support so you can focus on clinical care
- Practice management software and clinic insurance
- Varied and interesting work, including in-home assessments, vocational consulting, mental health intervention and more
- An environment supportive of your continued professional development
This allows consultants to focus on their clinical work while Cornerstone supports operations.
Why OTs Choose Cornerstone
At Cornerstone, we aim to create a supportive professional environment where consultants can build meaningful careers while maintaining flexibility and independence. Here is what our Occupational Therapists value most about working with Cornerstone:
I enjoy working with Cornerstone because of the flexibility it provides in my work and daily life. Cornerstone offers the perfect balance to my part-time work at the hospital, letting me schedule my days in a way that works for me. It provides me with the opportunity to practice in diverse areas to fit my interests and keep my OT skills up to date. The team also provides excellent support and opportunities to learn new skills and expand my practice areas.
Cornerstone provides excellent mentorship, which helped me transition confidently from working in a hospital-based setting to working in community-based consulting work. I was worried about the report writing in private practice, but the leadership team at Cornerstone was so supportive, and I have learned so much. At many private practices, clinicians are expected to meet monthly billing targets, but at Cornerstone there is truly no pressure to take referrals. You have the flexibility to work as much or as little as you choose, and the partners actively encourage you to decline referrals or to take time off when life gets busy, reflecting a culture built on the belief that clinicians need work-life balance to do their best work.
Working with a Cornerstone Occupational Therapy Consultants has been such a great fit for me! I really enjoy the variety the role offers, from diverse referrals to a wide range of clients. Most notably, it has given me the flexibility I need to balance my career with raising two young children, while still feeling supported through strong mentorship and collaboration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a full-time job?
No. This is a contract, fee-for-service role with flexible scheduling. You can work as much or as little as you choose.
Can I make my own schedule?
Yes! You decide the days you want to work, the number of clients you would like to see each day, and what hours work best for you!
Will I have to meet monthly billing quotas?
At Cornerstone, there’s no pressure to meet billing targets or to take referrals. You practice at your own pace. You can work as much or as little as you choose, and the partners actively encourage you to slow down or take time off when life gets busy. It’s a culture built on flexibility and support.
Will I work independently?
Yes. Consultants conduct community-based work independently but remain part of the Cornerstone professional team, with mentoring and administrative support available.
What kind of professional support can I expect?
Consultants receive the amount and type of mentorship they need. We provide support that is tailored to your needs and can include: on-the-job training, shadowing, in-person and/or virtual support, both initially and throughout your work with Cornerstone.
Can I take vacation?
While we don’t offer paid vacation, we also do not restrict the amount of time you chose to take for vacation each year.
What does the fee-for-service model mean for my income?
Instead of a salary, where you receive a set amount regardless of the number of clients you see, as an associate consultant, you set the pace, and your income is based on the number of clients you see. Contact us to discuss this in more detail.
Will I have to do my own client billing?
No. Our administrative staff will take care of all client billing on your behalf. Our admin staff take care of all client billing on your behalf, and you will be paid on a biweekly basis for the work you’ve done.
Do I need experience in vocational rehabilitation?
No. Mentoring is available to support skill development in any new area of practice for you.
What about further education?
We offer an education reimbursement plan for our associates, as well as many opportunities for mentorship. Please ask us more about this.
What technology is required?
Consultants must have:
- A computer
- Internet access
- A home workspace
- Basic literacy with computer software such as Microsoft 365 and PDF programs.
Cornerstone provides practice management software to assist with workflow and documentation.
Where do associates need to live?
Associates working in Nova Scotia may live anywhere in the province, but must be able to travel locally for assessments. Contact us to discuss our current opportunities in your community.