Behavioural Health Recreation Therapist

Startdate; Brantford; On-site; CAD 46,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre Brantford is seeking a Behavioural Health Recreation Therapist to support residents expressing responsive behaviours through meaningful engagement and routines.

You will work with residents, families, and the inter-disciplinary team to reduce the frequency and intensity of challenging behaviours on the Bluebird Terrace Unit. Responsibilities include meals support, guiding group and 1:1 activities, documenting care in PointClick Care, and adjusting the environment to

Qualifications

• Graduation from a Recreation and Leisure Leadership program from a recognized college or university.
• Hands-on experience with persons living with dementia expressing responsive behaviours.
• Certifications in dementia care or related programs preferred.
• Strong gerontology knowledge and dementia care principles.
• Excellent communication and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

• Support meal enhancements during lunch and dinner.
• Stage common areas daily and encourage resident participation in activities.
• Assist staff with residents showing responsive behaviours during personal care or activities.
• Deliver 1:1 programs to alleviate responsive behaviours through engagement or environment changes.
• Monitor safety and behaviours during shift changes.
• Document care interactions accurately and confidentially per standards.
• Adjust environmental factors (music, lighting, TV) to manage stimulation.
• Communicate concerns to the Therapeutic Advisor and medical team.
• Ensure signage and All About Me posters are current and visible.
• Promote family involvement in personalizing resident spaces.
• Provide recreation programming to support energy and engagement.
• Support safe participation in group or off-unit programs.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Team collaboration

Observation

Stamina

Dementia care knowledge

Education

Recreation and Leisure Leadership degree/diploma

Dementia care experience

Dementia care certifications

Tools

PointClick Care

Dementia Observation System

Job description

Job Title: Behavioural Health Recreation Therapist

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Employee Group: Non – Union

Department: Recreation, St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre

Salary: $33.1954 - $39.0534 per hour

Hours: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

JOB SUMMARY

Purpose of the role:

The Behavioural Health Recreation Therapist support residentsexpressing responsive behaviours or at risk of responsive behaviours through proactive,meaningful engagement and routines that honour their individual needs. Helps reducethe frequency and intensity of responsive behaviours on the unit. Focuses on managingresponsive behaviours by working collaboratively with residents, families, andinterdisciplinary staff to support residents with complex behavioural issues and thosewho may trigger responsive behaviours in others. Enhances daily activities on theBluebird Terrace Unit, including meal enhancement, recreation programming, andenvironmental safety aimed at creating an optimally supported home area for allresidents.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Support meal enhancements during lunch and dinner periods.
• Stage common areas daily, encouraging resident participation in tactile andengaging activities.
• Assist staff in supporting residents exhibiting responsive behaviours during personalcare or activities.
• Deliver 1:1 program to help alleviate responsive behaviours through meaningfulengagement or environment adjustment.
• Monitor safety and behaviours during shift changes.
• Model positive, person-centered care approaches among staff and families.
• Adjust environmental factors (music, lighting, TV) to manage stimulation levelsappropriately.
• Communicate concerns and strategy suggestions to BSO Therapeutic Advisor.
• Ensure wayfinding signage and “All About Me” posters are current and visible.
• Encourage family involvement in personalizing resident spaces.
• Provide recreation programming to support residents’ energy and engagement.
• Promote good sleep hygiene and reduce excessive daytime sleeping throughactivity engagement.
• Support residents’ safe participation in group or off-unit programs requiring 1:1support
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of care interactions inaccordance with professional and organizational standards, including completionof the DOS as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Graduation from a degree or diploma program in Recreation and Leisure Leadership froma recognized College or University
• Previous hands-on experience working with persons living with dementia expressingresponsive behaviours
• Strong preference given to candidates possessing the following certifications;DementiAbility, GPA (Geriatric Personal Assistance), UFirst/PIECES, PAC and BSOFoundations
• Extensive experience working with persons living with dementia who exhibitresponsive behaviours.
• Knowledge of gerontology and dementia care principles
• Strong knowledge of dementia care and responsive behaviours management.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, and empathetic in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, to effectively engageresidents, families, and staff.
• Observant and detail-oriented to identify early signs of escalation and alert staff.
• Skilled at creating and facilitating meaningful, individualized engagementactivities.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Good physical stamina to assist with mobility support and participation in activities.
• Familiarity with documentation standards and electronic charting systems (PointClick Care, Dementia Observation System)
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and infection control practices.
• Commitment to respecting resident dignity, privacy, and autonomy always.
• Positive attitude with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Basic understanding of sleep hygiene principles and how to support residents' restcycles.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and good attendance record

Job Title: Behavioural Health Recreation Therapist

Job Type: Regular Full Time

Employee Group: Non – Union

Department: Recreation, St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre

Reports To:Life Enrichment Manager

Salary: $33.1954 - $39.0534 per hour

Hours: 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm

JOB SUMMARY

Purpose of the role:

The Behavioural Health Recreation Therapist support residentsexpressing responsive behaviours or at risk of responsive behaviours through proactive,meaningful engagement and routines that honour their individual needs. Helps reducethe frequency and intensity of responsive behaviours on the unit. Focuses on managingresponsive behaviours by working collaboratively with residents, families, andinterdisciplinary staff to support residents with complex behavioural issues and thosewho may trigger responsive behaviours in others. Enhances daily activities on theBluebird Terrace Unit, including meal enhancement, recreation programming, andenvironmental safety aimed at creating an optimally supported home area for allresidents.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & SUCCESS CRITERIA

• Support meal enhancements during lunch and dinner periods.
• Stage common areas daily, encouraging resident participation in tactile andengaging activities.
• Assist staff in supporting residents exhibiting responsive behaviours during personalcare or activities.
• Deliver 1:1 program to help alleviate responsive behaviours through meaningfulengagement or environment adjustment.
• Monitor safety and behaviours during shift changes.
• Model positive, person-centered care approaches among staff and families.
• Adjust environmental factors (music, lighting, TV) to manage stimulation levelsappropriately.
• Communicate concerns and strategy suggestions to BSO Therapeutic Advisor.
• Ensure wayfinding signage and “All About Me” posters are current and visible.
• Encourage family involvement in personalizing resident spaces.
• Provide recreation programming to support residents’ energy and engagement.
• Promote good sleep hygiene and reduce excessive daytime sleeping throughactivity engagement.
• Support residents’ safe participation in group or off-unit programs requiring 1:1support
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential documentation of care interactions inaccordance with professional and organizational standards, including completionof the DOS as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS

• Graduation from a degree or diploma program in Recreation and Leisure Leadership froma recognized College or University
• Previous hands-on experience working with persons living with dementia expressingresponsive behaviours
• Strong preference given to candidates possessing the following certifications;DementiAbility, GPA (Geriatric Personal Assistance), UFirst/PIECES, PAC and BSOFoundations
• Extensive experience working with persons living with dementia who exhibitresponsive behaviours.
• Knowledge of gerontology and dementia care principles
• Strong knowledge of dementia care and responsive behaviours management.
• Ability to remain calm, patient, and empathetic in stressful situations.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and non-verbal, to effectively engageresidents, families, and staff.
• Observant and detail-oriented to identify early signs of escalation and alert staff.
• Skilled at creating and facilitating meaningful, individualized engagementactivities.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Good physical stamina to assist with mobility support and participation in activities.
• Familiarity with documentation standards and electronic charting systems (PointClick Care, Dementia Observation System)
• Ability to adapt to a dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Knowledge of safety protocols and infection control practices.
• Commitment to respecting resident dignity, privacy, and autonomy always.
• Positive attitude with a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Basic understanding of sleep hygiene principles and how to support residents' restcycles.
• Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and good attendance record

What We Offer:

• Comprehensive orientation
• Ongoing training and skills development through Professional Practice Council
• Autonomy and independence
• An enriching nursing experience
• Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
  
• Free parking
• Employee purchase discount program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre appreciates all responses. However, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, facilities, and people. St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford is committed to creating a barrier-free, accessible organization, utilizing a collaborative approach in supporting persons with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment, selection, hiring, and the ongoing employment life cycle. Upon individual request, the Lifecare Centre will endeavor to remove any barrier to the employment lifecycle to accommodate those employees with disabilities. Should any employee require accommodation through the employment lifecycle, please contact Human Resources.
AIis not used in our recruitment processes for the selection of candidates