Recreation Therapist

Perley Health; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 73,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Perley Health seeks an experienced Recreation Therapist (Supervisory Position) to lead and supervise therapeutic recreation and creative arts programming onsite for residents and staff. The role reports to the Manager, Therapeutic Recreation & Creative Arts and drives high-quality, person-centred activities that enhance residents’ well‑being.

The position requires a Diploma/degree in Therapeutic Recreation, at least 3 years in long-term care with supervisory experience, and strong interpersonal

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation Therapy from a recognized college or university.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in long-term care, including leadership, supervisory, or management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the aging process, dementia care, and person-centred approaches to service delivery.
• Membership in good standing with a professional association such as Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) or the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA).
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, organizational, resource management, and computer skills.
• Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and build positive relationships with residents, families, staff, and volunteers.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Department, including staff and volunteers.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout resident home areas, providing operational support and guidance to staff.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and evaluate team members to foster accountability and resident-centred care.
• Provide hands-on coaching and education to staff, students, and volunteers.
• Lead planning, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic programs to enhance residents’ quality of life.
• Assess residents’ interests and needs to develop individualized recreation plans and document outcomes.
• Coordinate staffing and schedules, oversee events, partnerships, outings, transportation, equipment and supplies.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and participate in care conferences.
• Support budgeting, quality improvement initiatives, and accreditation requirements.
• Build relationships with residents, families, community organizations and external stakeholders.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive environment reflecting best practices in recreation and dementia care.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team mentoring

Program planning

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Diploma/degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Job description

PerleyHealth is a unique and innovative community that empowers Seniors and Veterans to live life to thefullest. Home to more than 600 Seniors and Veterans in long-term care and in independent apartments,PerleyHealth provides a growing number of clinical, therapeutic and recreational services to residents, tenants and people from across the region.

One of the largest and most progressive long-term care homes in Ontario,PerleyHealth is also a centre for research, education, and clinical innovation. Our Centre of Excellence in Frailty-Informed Care conducts and shares the practical research needed to improve care. Future caregivers come here to study and to acquire hands-on skills and experience.

Perley Health's values are brought to life each day by our over 800 employees. And more than 400 regular volunteers connect us closely with the community. Together, we improve the well-being of Canada's aging population.

We are embarking on a multi-year growth strategy, and are seeking an experienced:

Recreation Therapist (Supervisory Position) Full-Time -Onsite

$73,068.45 - $91,336.05

SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager, Therapeutic Recreation & Creative Arts, the Recreation Therapist is a full-time, onsite leadership position responsible for the planning, implementation, evaluation, and supervision of therapeutic recreation and creative arts programming that enhances the quality of life and well-being of residents. This role provides leadership, coaching, and support to recreation staff, students, interns, and volunteers while working collaboratively with residents, families, community partners, and the interdisciplinary care team. As a key member of the leadership team, the Recreation Therapist supports the day-to-day operations of the department, promotes innovative resident-centred programming, and maintains a visible presence throughout resident home areas, providing hands-on mentorship, coaching, point-of-service education, and operational support to staff. Flexibility to work days, evenings, weekends, and special events is required to meet resident and operational needs.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide leadership and oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Therapeutic Recreation and Creative Arts Department, including Recreation Programmers, Rehabilitation Assistants, Horticulture Therapist, Musicians, Artists, Music Therapists, students, interns, and volunteers.
• Maintain a visible presence throughout resident home areas, providing operational support, guidance, and leadership to staff while promoting meaningful resident engagement and high-quality programming.
• Lead, coach, mentor, and evaluate team members, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and resident-centred care.
• Provide hands-on coaching, mentorship, and point-of-service education to staff, students, and volunteers to support best practices in therapeutic recreation, creative arts, and resident engagement.
• Lead the planning, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic recreation and creative arts programs that enhance residents' quality of life, engagement, and well-being.
• Assess residents' interests, abilities, strengths, and needs; develop individualized recreation plans; evaluate outcomes; and maintain appropriate documentation.
• Coordinate staffing resources and schedules, in collaboration with the Recreation Therapy leadership team, while overseeing special events, community partnerships, outings, transportation, equipment, and program supplies to ensure effective service delivery.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and participate in resident care conferences to support holistic, resident-centred care.
• Support departmental budgeting, quality improvement initiatives, program evaluation, policy development, and accreditation or regulatory requirements.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with residents, families, volunteers, community organizations, and external stakeholders.
• Ensure a safe, inclusive, and engaging environment that reflects best practices in therapeutic recreation, dementia care, and long-term care.
• Demonstrate the ability to provide hands‑on support and direct participation in programs and resident activities when operationally required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Diploma or degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation Therapy from a recognized college or university.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in long-term care, including leadership, supervisory, or management responsibilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the aging process, dementia care, and person-centred approaches to service delivery.
• Membership in good standing with a professional association such as Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) or the Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA).
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, organizational, resource management, and computer skills.
• Proven ability to lead interdisciplinary teams and build positive relationships with residents, families, staff, and volunteers.

Why Join Perley Health?

Work within one of Ontario's most respected long‑term care centres.

Contribute to a collaborative, mission‑driven team that values innovation, education, and continuous improvement.

Support Seniors and Veterans in living meaningful, engaged lives.

For candidates selected for consideration, Perley Health, upon request, will make reasonable accommodation for any disability-related needs with respect to the recruitment process and materials.