Drayton Valley Recreation Therapist

Connecting-Care-; Drayton Valley; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 64,000; Part time

Job summary

Connecting-Care- in Alberta seeks a Part-Time Recreation Therapist to lead and evaluate recreational services, integrating the Eden Alternative principles. You will collaborate with care teams, plan programs, conduct assessments, supervise volunteers, and ensure resident-directed activities that promote belonging and meaning.

The role requires 3–5 years group and 1–2 years supervisory experience, English fluency, and ATTRA/ATRA registration.

Qualifications

• Degree in Recreation Therapy or related field and active ATRA registration.
• Experience coordinating recreation programs and supervising staff.
• Fluency in English with strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and evaluate therapeutic recreation services based on best practices.
• Plan, implement, and assess recreation programs and services.
• Oversee recreation calendar addressing social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual needs.
• Facilitate group and one-to-one activities to engage residents meaningfully.
• Participate in wellness conferences and provide Recreation Therapy reports.

Skills

Group program facilitation

1-to-1 program facilitation

Program planning

Supervisory leadership

Conflict resolution

Care planning tools

English fluency

Resident engagement

Education

Degree in Recreation Therapy

ATRA registration

Diploma accepted if ATRA member

Criminal record check (vulnerable sector)

Job description

Part Time

Role Overview

As a Recreation Therapist, you play a pivotal role in modeling and integrating the Eden Alternative into daily community life, fostering a culture that reflects our Mission, Vision and Core Values. Your leadership and priorities set the tone for the community environment. Using a collaborative approach with residents and their entire care team, including families and external healthcare professionals, you are responsible for coordinating and evaluating all recreational services. You will foster a vibrant community that promotes meaningful relationships, individual choice, and a sense of belonging for all.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the direction, coordination, and evaluation of all therapeutic recreation services based on best practices.
• Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of recreation programs and services.
• Create and manage a balanced recreation calendar that addresses the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual needs of residents.
• Facilitate group programs and individualized one-to-one visits as needed to ensure all residents have meaningful opportunities for engagement.
• Conduct assessments of individual skills, needs, interests, and values related to recreation and leisure activities.
• Advocate for resident preferences, ensuring adjustments to recreation plans reflect individual needs and choices.
• Collaborate with other disciplines to ensure effective and efficient service delivery that aligns with resident-directed goals.
• Attending and actively participating in wellness (care) conferences, providing a Recreation Therapy report that highlights residents' strengths, progress, and areas for improvement to support the care team wellness planning.
• Oversee recruitment, onboarding, retention, and performance management of recreation care partners.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and coaching to the recreation team to ensure commitment to person-directed services and the Eden Philosophy of Care.
• Develop and maintain program plans that provide clear guidelines for implementing recreation activities, ensuring consistency and quality across all programs.
• Adhere to and enforce emergency management plans, infection control protocols, WHMIS, and health & safety wellness strategies.
• Participate in budgeting and resource planning with the General Manager to ensure sustainable recreation programming.
• Manage staff scheduling within budget guidelines.
• Manage inventory and supplies.
• Support community-wide initiatives that enhance companionship, purpose, and meaning in daily life.
• Promote a culture of engagement and spontaneity, creating opportunities for residents to thrive.
• Ensure attendance tracking is accurate, and use collected data to identify areas for program improvement and resident engagement needs.
• Maintain up to date paperwork on residents such as Resident Leisure Biographies, PIPA forms, Outings Consent, etc.
• Send monthly recreation summary report to the Home Office Designate.
• Oversee the recruitment, training, supervision, and retention of volunteers, ensuring they are meaningfully engaged in enhancing resident experiences.
• Participate in after-hours on-call responsibilities as required.
• Perform additional duties as required to support community well-being and engagement.

Required Education

• Degree in Recreation Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or Recreation and Leisure Studies.
• Registered with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
• A diploma in Therapeutic Recreation will be accepted if the candidate is a professional member of ATRA.
• Current clear criminal record check with vulnerable sector check.

Required Skills

• Minimum 3-5 years facilitating group and 1-to-1 programs.
• Minimum 1-2 years in therapeutic recreation program planning experience.
• Minimum 1-2 years of supervisory, leadership and conflict resolution skills.
• Fluent in English (reading, writing, and speaking).
• Knowledge of care planning, assessment tools, and therapeutic recreation regulations.
• Commitment to person-directed care and the Eden Alternative Philosophy.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and engage residents through meaningful activities and connections.
• Self-starter, takes initiative, high degree of comfort interacting and establishing rapport.
• Awareness of accident and injury prevention, with adherence to safe work practices.
• Ability to complete mandatory training and education requirements within designated timelines.

Additional Education and Skills

• Willingness to modify role to enhance resident experiences and engagement.
• Maintain all required certifications and professional development standards.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold professional integrity within the community.

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