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 in Calgary is seeking a Recreation Therapist I to join the Bridgeland Riverside Care Centre team. You will assess, plan, implement and evaluate therapeutic recreation services for individuals with complex mental health, behavioural, and cognitive needs.

The role involves both individual and group activities aimed at improving function, leisure skills, social participation and psychosocial well-being.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy or related field.
• Active registration with the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
• Current BLS/CPR certification.
• CTRS designation is an asset.
• Three years of recreation therapy experience preferred.
• Experience with complex mental health, behavioural or cognitive needs.

Responsibilities

• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation services.
• Provide individualized and group-based therapeutic interventions.
• Develop person-centered treatment plans to promote recovery, independence, dignity and quality of life.
• Guide and support recreation staff, students and volunteers while maintaining professional standards.

Skills

BLS CPR certification

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Assessment & goal setting

Communication & problem-solving

Trauma-informed care

Person-centered care

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy

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

Date Competition closes

November 12, 2026

Rate of Pay

$40.81 - $54.34

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 team responsible 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-centered 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-centered care in a safe and therapeutic 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-centered, 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

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.