Recreation Therapist - BSO Lead- Full time - Hamilton

Extendicare; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Extendicare Hamilton is seeking a BSO Therapeutic Recreation professional to join our interprofessional team. The role supports older adults with responsive behaviours within the Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant BSO structure, reporting through Extendicare Hamilton and Ontario Health West.

You will plan and implement person-centred recreation programs, collaborate with care partners, and contribute to quality improvement while maintaining documentation and compliance with LTC acts.

Qualifications

• Therapeutic Recreation degree and/or postgraduate therapeutic recreation diploma.
• Membership in good standing with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) and/or with Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA).
• Registered Recreation Therapist (R/TRO) certification; or eligible to obtain registration with TRO.
• Additional training such as PIE.C.E.S.T./U-FIRST!, GPA basics, Montessori/Dementia care methods; MHFA for seniors an asset.

Responsibilities

• Plan, facilitate and implement purposeful therapeutic recreation founded on interest, need and ability in accordance with policies and interprofessional collaboration.
• Enhance the positive impact of BSO modalities to address responsive behaviours while adapting to changing needs.
• Promote brain health through engagement activities focused on validation, individual success and social stimulation.
• Collaborate with care partners to identify the best quality care solutions and support continuous improvement of practices.
• Maintain accurate records and participate in quality improvement initiatives within the regional structure.

Skills

Therapeutic Recreation

Interprofessional teamwork

Communication skills

Adaptability

Program planning

Education

Therapeutic Recreation degree

TRO/CTRA membership

R/TRO certification or eligibility

Tools

Electronic documentation

Job description

Job Description

BSO Therapeutic Recreation Position Description

Full-time- Monday to Friday- (3 Days and 2 Evening)

Behavioural Supports Ontario (BSO) is a service enhancement that has been implemented across Ontario since 2012 to better support older adults with responsive behaviours. BSO’s three pillars are (1) System Coordination & Management; (2) Integrated Service Delivery: Intersectoral & Interdisciplinary; and (3) Knowledgeable Care Teams and Capacity Building.

Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant BSO (HNHB BSO) consists of various interprofessional teams that have been implemented across the health care continuum. The BSO Recreation Therapy position has been newly created to further enhance and expand upon the scope of BSO teams.

As part of the HNHB BSO structure, this position will hold multiple accountabilities to Extendicare Hamilton, HNHB BSO, and Ontario Health West. Direct support and accountability for this position will be provided by the hiring organization, Extendicare Hamilton, and indirect reporting accountabilities and supports will be guided by HNHB BSO and Ontario Health West.

Core Qualifications:

• Therapeutic Recreation degree and/or postgraduate therapeutic recreation diploma
• Membership in good standing with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) and/or with Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA)
• Registered Recreation Therapist (R/TRO) certification; or eligible to obtain registration with TRO

Additional Training/Certificates:

• P.I.E.C.E.S.TM and/or U-FIRST!
• Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) basics training
• Montessori Methods or Dementiability Methods for Dementia Care
• Mental Health First Aid for Seniors Training an asset
• Indigenous Cultural Competency Training or equivalent training an asset
• Teepa Snow “Positive Approach to Care” Training an asset

Additional Attributes:

• Demonstrated positive person-family centred values and practice
• Demonstrated understanding that all behaviour has meaning, as reflected in practice
• Flexibility and adaptability to competing needs within fast-paced work environments
• Excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work as an effective member of an inter-agency and interdisciplinary team; with a strong collaborative nature
• Strong communication skills and ability to communicate in a non-stigmatizing way
• Ability to positively represent and advocate on behalf of BSO in public forums/committees
• Demonstrated awareness and competency regarding cultural diversity, including francophone, LGBTQ and Indigenous-specific considerations
• Proficient computer skills
• Physical ability to assist residents and move program equipment
• Good attendance and work record
• Criminal Reference verification

Experience:

• Relevant clinical experience (3–5 years as a Recreational Therapist) working with older adults and care partners in long-term care and community settings
• Experience working within an interprofessional team model; long-term care setting preferred
• Experience implementing quality improvement initiatives
• Experience supporting the lived experience of older adults living with dementia or at risk of responsive behaviours and their care partners
• Experience with electronic documentation, including assessments, and care planning functions

Knowledge:

• Demonstrated extensive knowledge working with individuals with various forms of dementia, delirium, complex mental health, substance use, other neurological conditions, including those with or at risk of responsive behaviours and the effects on care partners
• Knowledge and familiarity with recent research and best practices for our patient population and ability to apply this knowledge
• Knowledge and understanding of all pertinent legislation and policies, including the Long-Term Care (LTC) Homes Act, the Personal Health Information and Protection Act (PHIPA, 2004), the Mental Health Act and other pertinent legislation
• Knowledge of internal and external community resources

Shared Care Delivery:

• Demonstrated patient-family-care partner focus and commitment to the Mission, Vision, Values and goals of BSO, Extendicare Hamilton and respective partner agencies
• Plan, facilitate and implement purposeful individualized therapeutic recreation founded on interest, need and ability in accordance with established policies, primary care and clinical team collaboration, and overall plan of care and within the scope of practice
• Enhance the positive impact and spread of BSO (1:1 and group) therapeutic modalities to address and prevent responsive behaviours, while adapting to individual changing needs
• Promote brain health through engagement activities tailored to maintaining skills and abilities and focused on validation, individual success, and social stimulation
• Work in collaboration with all care partners to find the best possible quality care solutions for the patient/family
• Create and nurture continuous improvement of Behavioural Support and organizational practices for improved system co-ordination
• Support the spread of improvement practices with internal team members (e.g. activation and restorative teams) regarding overall prevention of responsive behaviours through therapeutic programming or education

Clinical Accountability:

• Actively participate in all relevant professional development as coordinated at the regional, hub and local level as guided by HNHB BSO Structure
• Participate in and/or facilitate referral-based complex case reviews
• Actively engage in BSO quality improvement initiatives within the organization and as part of the regional structure
• Monitor, document, and evaluate therapeutic activities and relevant literature
• Formulate individualized therapeutic program plans and goals
• Conduct evaluation of practices using measurable outcomes
• Maintain accurate, complete, organized and legible clinical records
• Maintain and submit standard data collection, as required by the regional lead organization (HNHB BSO) and Ontario Health West

Time Type

Full time

Compensation Details

Compensation will be discussed during the recruiting process.

At Extendicare, we’ve spent more than 50 years dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in our long-term care homes across Canada. When you join Extendicare, you become part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to creating a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for every resident we serve.

We provide competitive compensation that reflects the value of this role and the unique qualifications each candidate brings. Final salary offers are based on a variety of factors such as your skills, experience, education, and alignment with the responsibilities of this position.

Base salary is one component of our broader total rewards package. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, and long-term career growth. Your recruiter can provide more details about our total rewards offerings during the hiring process.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain stages of the recruitment process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing candidate responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment — every application is reviewed by a member of our team to ensure thoughtful and equitable consideration. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

Extendicare is an equal opportunity employer committed to respectful and inclusive hiring practices. We welcome all applicants, including those from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous peoples, women, people with disabilities, and visible minorities.

Extendicare is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable hiring process. We will gladly accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process upon request and in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require support during any stage of the process, email us at [e-mail].

We acknowledge that the care we provide across Canada occurs on lands that have been cared for by many Indigenous peoples for generations. We recognize First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and their enduring connection to this land, and the importance of respect and cultural safety in the work we do.