Recreation Therapist | Complex Mental Health

Carewest - Innovative Health Care; Calgary; On-site; CAD 56,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Carewest - Innovative Health Care seeks a Recreation Therapist I to assess, plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation services for adults with complex mental health, behavioural, and cognitive needs at Bridgeland Riverside Care Centre. You will provide individualized and group interventions aimed at functional improvement, leisure education, social participation, and well-being.

The role emphasizes person-centred, recovery-oriented care within an interdisciplinary team, with guidance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized program in Recreation Therapy, Leisure Studies, Recreation Administration, or a related field.
• Current and active registration with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR certification.
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation is an asset.
• Three years of recreation therapy experience is preferred.
• Experience providing therapeutic recreation interventions to individuals with complex mental health, behavioural, or cognitive needs is preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing individualized and group-based therapeutic recreation programs that support psychosocial well-being, recovery, and meaningful engagement.
• Knowledge of person-centred, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approaches to care.
• Experience supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, dementia, acquired brain injury, or concurrent disorders is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to assess client needs, establish therapeutic goals, and evaluate treatment outcomes.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to respond appropriately to challenging behaviours and complex care situations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team to support coordinated treatment planning and care delivery.
• Experience working in specialized mental health, continuing care, rehabilitation, or post-acute settings is an asset.
• Familiarity with clinical documentation systems and relevant privacy legislation is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation services for individuals with complex mental health, behavioural, and cognitive needs.
• Provide individualized and group-based therapeutic interventions focused on functional improvement, leisure education, social participation, and psychosocial well-being.
• Develop person-centred treatment plans that promote recovery, independence, dignity, and quality of life within a safe and supportive environment.
• Guide and support recreation staff, students, and volunteers while maintaining professional standards per governing associations and organizational policies.

Skills

Assessment of client needs

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Trauma-informed care

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy

ATRA registration

BLS Provider CPR certification

CTRS designation (asset)

Job description

Position Details

Position Status: Regular Full Time | Regular Part Time Location: Bridgeland Riverside Care Centre FTE: 1 .0 | 0.8 Shift: Days Shift Times: 08:00 - 16:15

Rate of Pay: $40.81 - $54.34

Date Competition closes: November 12, 2026

Please note:

This site is opening non-union. Further, this posting will be used to fill a number of positions. Applicants will be asked to select their preferred available line(s) during the application process and may select more than one option.

Offer Acceptance Timeline:

Due to the operational timelines associated with the opening of the new Bridgeland site, successful candidates will be required to accept or decline their offer of employment within a shortened timeframe following the verbal offer. Candidates are encouraged to be prepared to make a timely decision upon receiving an offer Position

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Director of Care, the Recreation Therapist I is a member of the interprofessional health care teamresponsible for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic recreation services for individuals with complex mental health, behavioural, and cognitive needs.

The Recreation Therapist provides individualized and group-based therapeutic interventions focused on functional improvement, leisure education, meaningful engagement, social participation, and psychosocial well-being. Working collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team, the Recreation Therapist develops person-centred treatment plans that promote recovery, independence, dignity, and quality of life within a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.

The Recreation Therapist also provides guidance and support to recreation support staff, students, and volunteers while maintaining professional standards in accordance with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), Carewest's Philosophy of Care, and organizational policies.

Program Summary:

Complex Mental Health is a specialized mental health continuing care and post-acute program providing comprehensive care for adults with complex behavioural, cognitive, and mental health needs, including severe and persistent mental illness, dementia, acquired brain injury, and concurrent disorders. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the program delivers person-centred care in a safe andtherapeutic environment that supports quality of life, dignity, and meaningful engagement.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from a recognized program in Recreation Therapy, Leisure Studies, Recreation Administration, or a related field.
• Current and active registration with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
• Current Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider CPR certification.
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation is an asset.
• Three years of recreation therapy experience is preferred.
• Experience providing therapeutic recreation interventions to individuals with complex mental health, behavioural, or cognitive needs is preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing individualized and group-based therapeutic recreation programs that support psychosocial well-being, recovery, and meaningful engagement.
• Knowledge of person-centred, recovery-oriented, and trauma-informed approaches to care.
• Experience supporting individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, dementia, acquired brain injury, or concurrent disorders is an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to assess client needs, establish therapeutic goals, and evaluate treatment outcomes.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to respond appropriately to challenging behaviours and complex care situations.
• Ability to collaborate effectively within an interdisciplinary team to support coordinated treatment planning and care delivery.
• Experience working in specialized mental health, continuing care, rehabilitation, or post-acute settings is an asset.
• Familiarity with clinical documentation systems and relevant privacy legislation is an asset.