Recreation Therapist - Hospital (Temporary Full-Time)

Startdate; Guelph; On-site; CAD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph currently seeks a Recreation Therapist to assess residents’ interests, develop individualized care plans, and implement therapeutic recreation programs within a hospital setting.

The role emphasizes collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, advocacy for clients, and planning and facilitating programs for residents, families, and community partners, while adhering to safety and regulatory standards.

Qualifications

• Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies or related field.
• Affiliation with a Professional Organization (Therapeutic Recreation Ontario or equivalent).
• Eligibility for full membership in a professional organization.
• Experience in Complex Continuing Care, Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, or Community Outreach.
• Strong leadership skills with knowledge of aging and dementia; person-centered approach.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients' recreation and leisure interests and develop individualized care plans.
• Plan, implement, coordinate and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs and community outings.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and families; advocate for clients and residents.
• Document in accordance with professional and government requirements; ensure safety and organization.

Skills

Leadership skills

Aging/dementia knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Self-motivated

Organization

Education

Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies

Related field diploma/certificate

Professional organization affiliation

Job description

Recreation Therapist - Hospital (Temporary Full-Time)

The role of a Recreational Therapist in a hospital setting involves assessing clients' recreation and leisure interests, developing individualized care plans, and implementing therapeutic recreation programs. They organize community outings, maximize clients' abilities through facilitation techniques and adaptations, and document their work. The therapist collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, advocates for clients, plans and facilitates programs, maintains relationships with families and community partners, and supports student placements. They contribute to quality initiatives, engage in professional development, and promote the importance of Recreation Therapy. The therapist also manages resources, ensures a safe environment, and adheres to SJHCG policies.

Key Accountabilities

• Assess allclient recreation and leisure interests in a timely manner. Accurately analyze and interpret results to develop an individualized Recreation Therapy Care Plan. Complete quarterly and annual reviews as required.
• Plan,implement, co-ordinate and evaluate therapeutic recreation individual and group programs, recreation based participation programs and community outings. Develop new programs to meet the changing needs of our clients.
• Organize community outings to meet client interests.
• Apply appropriate facilitation techniques and provide adaptations to maximize the client’s abilities related to recreation and leisure interests. Implement supportive communication techniques.
• Develop and evaluate goal oriented programs and services for clients which support client-centered outcomes.
• Implement individual interventions related to responsive behaviours including, but not limited to Montessori techniques, multi-sensory interventions, and individual leisure interests.
• Document in a manner that meets specific professional, agency and government requirements.
• Facilitate the therapeutic interventions that acknowledge the client needs related to individual and cultural diversity.
• Contribute to the development and completion of monthly calendars. Provide notification of programs, services and special events available to residents and families through posters, daily information boards, or alternate forms of communication.
• Actively participate and collaborate as an interdisciplinary team member through involvement in client meetings, team meetings, rounds, committee work as well as educational and leadership opportunities. Advocate for clients and residents as part of the collaborative team approach.
• Plan and facilitate evening and weekend programs as required.
• Develop and maintain relationships with family members to provide information and support as needed for client involvement.
• Responsible for effective use of resources in relation to department petty cash, program supply purchases, maintaining receipts, advocating for neighbourhood purchases, Foundation and Volunteer Association partnerships. Responsible for assisting residents with purchases related to involvement in Recreation programs and services.
• Collaborate with Food Services related to monitoring client dietary needs, facilitating programs with food service, preparation, or catering.
• Responsible for preparation and clean-up of program work areas. Maintain a safe and clean environment for programs and department spaces. Participate in tasks related to organization, cleanliness, and maintenance of work areas and equipment.
• Provides supervision of student placement opportunities for students from recognized Therapeutic Recreation Programs at the College or University level. Supervise students from alternate or related programs as appropriate.
• Develop and participate in Facility and Departmental Quality Initiatives and Risk Management programs based on program evaluation and best practice guidelines. Complies with patient safety and organizational initiatives that contribute to resident and patient safety.
• Participate in on-going professional development, in-service training and staff development through educational opportunities, research and self-directed learning. Research best practice related to service delivery and professional development.
• Promote the importance of Recreation Therapy and provide education and leadership to staff, volunteers and family members.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community partners and identify recreation and leisure resources available to support client integration within the community.
• Orient, train, supervise and support volunteers for involvement in Department programs and services. Work in collaboration with the Volunteer Department.
• Contribute to Recreation Therapy policies, procedures and program description.
• Professional designation is guided by the Therapeutic Recreation Ontario Professional membership, Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies or Therapeutic Recreation preferred. Candidates with post-secondary diploma, degree or certificate in another related field from a recognized post secondary institution may be considered.
• Affiliation with a Professional Organization (Therapeutic Recreation Ontario or Activity Professionals Ontario or equivalent).
• Eligibility for full membership in a professional organization such as Therapeutic Recreation Ontario.
• Work and/or Volunteer Experience in Complex Continuing Care, Rehabilitation, Long Term Care, or Community Outreach Programs.
• You must demonstrate strong leadership skills with an advanced knowledge of the aging process and dementia. Commitment to a multi-disciplinary team and a person-centered approach working with residents, patients, staff, families and volunteers is required.
• Education of and experience working with people with Dementia recommended.
• Self-starter, self-directed, highly organized and proactive
• Able to prioritize tasks based on relative importance and urgency
• Demonstrate strong independent judgement and a high degree of interpersonal effectiveness to be able to deal with stakeholders across various levels internally and externally.

Disclaimers

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, facilities, and people. St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free, accessible organization, and will work to accommodate any needs under the Accessibility for Ontario for Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code. Should any applicant require accommodation through the application process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] for assistance. If the applicant requires a specific accommodation because of a disability during an interview, the applicant will need to advise the hiring manager when scheduling the interview and the appropriate accommodations can be made.

St. Joseph’s Health Centre Guelph (SJHCG) does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, evaluate, or select applicants for this position.

Recruitment Process Integrity

To support fairness, confidentiality, and an equitable recruitment process, applicants are kindly asked not to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and not to record, transcribe, encrypt, or otherwise capture interviews at any stage of the recruitment process, unless explicitly authorized by the organization.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates under consideration will be contacted.