Recreation Therapist

Brant Community Healthcare System; Brantford; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education fund

Tuition support

Professional development

Flexible scheduling

Mentorship programs

Wellness program (EAP)

Competitive compensation & benefits

Pension plan

Diversity & inclusion

Job summary

Brant Community Healthcare System in Ontario is seeking a Recreation Therapist to join an interdisciplinary healthcare team. You will assess patients’ leisure needs, develop individualized goals, and lead therapeutic recreation interventions to support recovery and community reintegration.

Reporting to the Manager of Therapy Services, you will plan, implement and evaluate goal-focused leisure programs, coordinate with the care team, and assist patients in connecting with community resources on

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years Recreation Therapist experience in a hospital setting preferred.
• Degree in Recreation with Therapeutic Recreation emphasis; post graduate diploma in Therapeutic Recreation.
• Membership eligibility in Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Registered (R/TRO) and/or Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA).
• Current BCLS.
• Demonstrated ability to function as an effective team member.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work with a variety of patient populations within a hospital setting.
• Demonstrated principles of safe patient handling.
• Reliable with excellent attendance and able to work all shifts.

Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive assessments of patients to determine individualized leisure needs.
• Develops patient centered treatment goals based on assessment findings.
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team to facilitate the achievement of overall goals set for the patient.
• Demonstrates leadership skills while engaging with the care team to ensure patients are prioritized according to recreation therapy needs.
• Plans, implements and evaluates goal focused individual and group leisure programs.
• Supports patients and families to link with community resources on discharge.
• Actively participates in care team meetings, action rounds and working groups.
• Maintains appropriate patient documentation.
• Collects accurate workload and other related statistics.
• Supervise and support volunteers and recreation therapy students.
• Professional accountability to TROs standards of practice.

Skills

Recreation Therapy

Team collaboration

Communication

Time management

Patient care

Education

Recreation degree with Therapeutic Recreation emphasis

Post-graduate diploma in Therapeutic Recreation

R/TRO / CTRA eligibility

Job description

Grow Your Career at Brant Community Healthcare System (BCHS)

At BCHS, we are driven by a bold vision: To Lead Beyond Care. As a two-site community hospital system in Brantford and Paris, Ontario, we serve with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to the people who rely on us.

• Brantford General Hospital – Our acute care hospital offering a full spectrum of inpatient and outpatient services.
• The Willett in Paris – Home to our urgent care centre and transitional care services, supporting patients through every step of their healthcare journey.

With Over 130 Years Of Service, BCHS Is Evolving With a Renewed Focus On Excellence, Collaboration, And Innovation. Our Strategic Priorities Center On Quality Care, Connected Teams, And a Healthy Future For Our Patients, Our People, And Our Community. Our Culture Is Shaped By Our Core Values And Pillars

Core Values:

Be Bold and Courageous | Commit to Excellence | Champion Equity | Be Trustworthy

Four Pillars:

Patient-First | People-Centred | Partnership-Based | Progress-Focused

These values reflect who we are, what we stand for, and how we work together to have influence. Join us in shaping the future of healthcare—right here at BCHS.

Why Choose BCHS?

• Investing in You – Access to a centralized Education Fund, tuition support, and professional development opportunities.
• Flexible Scheduling – Within a standard work week
• Career Growth – Internal job postings, mentorship programs, and leadership development.
• Predictable Work Locations – Stability and consistency in your work environment.
• Collaborative Team Culture – Work alongside skilled professionals in a supportive, interdisciplinary setting.
• Employee Wellness Matters – Peer Support Team, Wellness Committee, Free, confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their families.
• Commitment to Safety – Comprehensive safety programs for all
• Competitive Compensation and Benefits –– Salaries and benefits designed to align with industry standards, reinforcing our commitment to attracting and retaining top talent. Excellent Pension Plan.
• Diversity & Inclusion – We are actively working to diversify our teams and remove systemic barriers in hiring, retention, and advancement. We track and report on our progress because representation matters. We regularly review our benefits, policies, and programs through an equity lens to meet the needs of our diverse teams. Provide accommodations for religious practices and use trauma-informed policies that support mental wellbeing.
• Recognition & Rewards – Employee appreciation programs and professional recognition opportunities and Corporate Committee
• Community Impact – Make a real difference in patient care and public health every day.
• Choose Civility – Where every interaction matters. Civility and respect shape our workplace, as individuals treat one another—and the communities we serve with dignity, empathy, and cultural awareness. We foster a culture of civility by raising awareness, setting clear expectations, and continually reviewing our policies and practices to ensure respect is at the core of everything we do.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Therapy Services, the Recreation Therapist will function as a member of an interdisciplinary health care team. The recreation therapist meets the assessed needs of patients, provides treatment interventions and community transition and integration.

Primary Responsibilities

• Performs comprehensive assessments of patients to determine individualized leisure needs
• Develops patient centered treatment goals based on assessment findings
• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary care team to facilitate the achievement of overall goals set for the patient
• Demonstrates leadership skills while engaging with the care team to ensure patients are prioritized according to recreation therapy needs
• Plans, implements and evaluates goal focused individual and group leisure programs
• Supports patients and families to link with community resources on discharge
• Actively participates in care team meetings, action rounds and working groups
• Maintains appropriate patient documentation
• Collects accurate workload and other related statistics
• Supervise and support volunteers and recreation therapy students
• Professional accountability to TROs standards of practice

Mandatory Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years current Recreation Therapist experience in a hospital setting is preferred
• Degree in Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation and/or a related degree as well as a post graduate diploma in Therapeutic Recreation
• Membership eligibility in Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Registered (R/TRO) and/or Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA)
• Current BCLS
• Demonstrated ability to function as an effective team member.
• Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated ability in working with a variety of patient populations within a hospital setting.
• Demonstrated principles of safe patient handling
• Reliable individual with excellent attendance record and able to work all shifts

Core Competencies

• Safety (patient, worker & workplace) is a BCHS Corporate Priority. The successful applicant will demonstrate good stewardship in the identification, reporting and mitigation of unsafe acts or conditions.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

BCHS is committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. We welcome people from all walks of life, including people of all genders, sexual orientations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, Indigenous identities, abilities, and lived experiences. Inclusion is part of how we deliver better care

We are dedicated to removing barriers and providing accommodations at every stage of the hiring process in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require any accommodations, please inform us when contacted, and we will work with you to meet your needs.

AI Use in Hiring

Brant Community Healthcare System does not use artificial intelligence (AI), automated tools, or algorithms to screen, assess, or rank candidates during the hiring process; all applications are reviewed by our recruitment team.