Program Therapist (Casual)

Niagara Long Term Care Residence; Niagara-on-the-Lake; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Employee benefits

Employee and Family Assistance Program

Support for personal and professional

Job summary

Niagara On The Lake Long Term Care Residence is seeking a Program Therapist to join the interdisciplinary team. You will plan, implement, and evaluate programs and outings that address residents’ physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs, while maintaining strong family and staff communication.

The role involves assessing resident needs, documenting progress, and coordinating community-based activities with a focus on quality care in a warm, supportive environment.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary diploma/degree in recreation and leisure studies, therapeutic recreation, gerontology, or related field.
• Equivalent diploma/degree from another jurisdiction accepted if equivalent.
• Experience with seniors; GPA, PIECES and U FIRST training.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and organizational skills.
• Second language is an asset (Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, or Eastern European languages).
• CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Vulnerable Sector Check current or willing to obtain; TB testing within 6 months or 14 days of hire; vaccination proof.
• Two supervisory references required.
• Company emphasizes privacy and accommodation during recruitment.

Responsibilities

• Complete documentation and records including program guides, participation tracking, monthly statistics, recreation assessment, and care plan updates.
• Plan and implement programs based on resident assessments with ongoing creativity.
• Plan and implement special events, community outings and programs.
• Evaluate and adapt programs as needed to meet residents’ needs.
• Ensure access to appropriate assistive devices (wheelchair, walker, magnifiers).
• Participate in department and multidisciplinary care conferences; communicate effectively with residents and families.
• Maintain posters, notices, calendars; ensure accessibility for residents.
• Develop and maintain community contacts and resources; collaborate with community groups.

Skills

Communication skills

Program planning

Teamwork

Experience with seniors

InterRAI-MDS knowledge

Education

Post-secondary diploma/degree in recreation and leisure studies or related field (Ontario)

Equivalent diploma/degree from another jurisdiction

CPR and First Aid certifications

Tools

InterRAI-MDS AIS knowledge

GPA/PIECES/U FIRST training

Job description

Niagara On The Lake Long Term Care Residence
Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S1J0, CAN

Description

“How do you live in the moment?”

We are passionate about ‘Making Every Moment Matter’. We are seeking a candidate that shares our values - a person who has a passion to make a difference, who has a strong moral compass and who has a commitment to teamwork. The ideal candidate is a warm and loving person who makes meaningful connections with those they are caring for.

The Program Therapist reports to the Programs Manager and participates as a member of the interdisciplinary team to plan, implement and evaluate programs, outings and events that meet the residents’ physical, social, emotional, intellectual, cognitive, spiritual and cultural needs.

Wage Rate:

The starting wage rate is $23.99/hour.

Vacancy:

We are hiring employees to work on a casual basis to help us fulfil our scheduling needs and fill vacant shifts as they arise. We are offering flexible hours.

Responsibilities:

• Complete documentation and accurate records as required including: Program guides, participation tracking, monthly statistics, recreation assessment, Quarterly documentation, interRAI-MDS/CAPS , regular care plan updates based on residents’ status, progress notes and all assessments needed to determine residents' recreation and rehabilitation needs.
• Plan and implement programs based on resident assessments, offering new, creative and innovative recreational programs to residents on an ongoing basis
• Plan and implement special events, community-based programs and outings
• Evaluate and make adaptations to programs as appropriate
• Complete equipment assessments and ensure that residents have access to appropriate assistive devices as required (i.e. wheelchair, walker, magnifying devices.)
• Participate in department meetings, home area meetings, and multidisciplinary care conferences.
• Ensure effective communication and good human relations with residents, residents’ families, volunteers and staff
• Ensures that posters, notices, and calendars are up to date, attractively displayed and accessible for residents to view and read.
• Initiate media notices re: creative programming in conjunction with the Programs Manager
• Develop and maintain community contacts and resources.
• Work with different community-based agencies and groups to deliver programming to residents
• Required to understand the nature and meaning of quality indicators used by the Home and to understand which indicators are publicly reported.
• Required to participate in the improvement of the indicators and achieve satisfactory results.
• Other duties as assigned and or indicated in Job Task Inventory

Qualifications:

The qualifications needed to join our family are as follows:

• Has a post-secondary diploma or degree or certificate in recreation and leisure studies, therapeutic recreation, gerontology or other related fields from an Ontario post-secondary institution
• OR has a post-secondary diploma, degree or certificate granted in another jurisdiction that, in the reasonable opinion of the licensee, is equivalent to the diploma, degree or certificate described above.
• Or in the reasonable opinion of the Home, have the appropriate skills, knowledge and experience providing recreational and social activities to perform the duties required of this position.
• Experience working with seniors, experience/training in GPA, PIECES and U FIRST
• Modeling a person-centered living philosophy as well as embracing the Butterfly Model in the Home Areas
• Experience planning, implementing and evaluating programs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Knowledge of interRAI-MDS – AIS certified, if not must be completed successfully within one (1) year of being hired.
• Second Language (Chinese, Portuguese, Italian, and Eastern European languages are an asset)
• CPR and First Aid certifications
• To show evidence of being focused on people’s feelings when interacting and knowing how to turn a task into positive social interaction.
• To undertake and meet all legal requirements within a context of promoting individuals’ rights and measuring/reducing elements of risk.
• Must provide a complete and current (within six months) Vulnerable Sector Check (including a Criminal Background Check) or be willing to obtain one
• As a condition of employment, candidates are required to submit documented results of TB testing (within the last six months or within 14 days upon hire) or a chest X-ray (within the last year), as per Public Health requirements
• Two supervisory references required
• Provide proof of all required vaccines. The Employer strongly recommends to “stay up to date” with the recommended vaccines. Vaccination requirements are subject to changes as determined by the Employer.

What do we offer you?

• Competitive wages
• Employee benefits
• Employee and Family Assistance Program
• Support for personal and professional growth

We look forward to speaking with you and Making Every Moment Matter. Although we appreciate all applicants' interest, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

As part of our recruitment process, we may use secure, limited AI tools to assist with administrative tasks such as organizing applications or analyzing role alignment. These tools are used solely to support our recruitment team. All hiring decisions are made by people. We are committed to ensuring our hiring practices are equitable, inclusive, and privacy conscious. Any personal information collected or processed is handled in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Act (PIPEDA) and our internal privacy policies.

We strive to be diverse, inclusive, fair, equitable and accessible by addressing barriers and promoting dignity and respect for all. If you require accommodation at any time during the recruitment process, please contact the hiring manager.