Recreation Therapist I

Recovery Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 5,622,000 - 7,486,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Temp F/T Benefits

Job summary

Alberta Health Services’ Alberta Hospital Edmonton is seeking a Recreation Therapist I for the Unit 10-1A Concurrent Disorders Unit. You will design and deliver evidence-based recreation programs to support adults with mental health and substance use concerns, integrating assessment, education, and family involvement.

As part of a multidisciplinary team, you’ll engage patients through individual work, group sessions and discharge planning, applying trauma-informed approaches and culturally safe

Qualifications

• Completion of bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation and Leisure Studies.
• Active or eligible registration with Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).
• Experience in therapeutic recreation within mental health or addiction settings.
• Trauma-informed approaches and culturally safe programming.
• Strong communication and de-escalation skills; documentation in EHRs.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver therapeutic recreation programs.
• Provide assessment and clinical support for patients.
• Facilitate group sessions and individual work.
• Contribute to discharge planning and family communication.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Trauma-informed approaches

De-escalation skills

Documentation in EHRs

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy or related field

Tools

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Job description

Are you passionate about providing compassionate, evidence-based care to patients during critical moments in their lives? A Concurrent Disorder Unit (CDU) is opening at AHE on unit 10-1A. We are seeking an experienced Recreation Therapist 1 (RecT) to join our multidisciplinary team. The CDU will be an inpatient unit intended to support patients with concurrent mental health and substance use disorders. The team will provide evidence-based stabilization and recovery-oriented care for adults requiring medical withdrawal management and acute psychiatric stabilization. As a Recreation Therapist I, you will play a vital role in supporting patients through their recovery journey in a compassionate, trauma-informed environment. Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will design and deliver therapeutic recreation programs that promote physical, emotional, social, and cultural well-being for patients. You will provide assessment, patient/family support, discharge planning, group facilitation and individual work with patients. This position offers the opportunity to use creativity and evidence-based practices to engage patients in meaningful activities that build coping skills, resilience, and connection. The ideal candidate demonstrates a commitment to continuous learning, self-motivation and self-care, and the ability to remain adaptable and flexible in a fast-paced environment. Creativity and innovation are essential for designing engaging therapeutic programs, while cultural competence ensures programming is respectful and inclusive. Strong ethical conduct and professionalism are foundational to this role, along with effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.

Description:

As a Recreation Therapist I, you will be working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team, providing comprehensive services for patients (clients, residents) within your assigned program or service area. You will ensure the level of therapeutic recreation practice is evidence based, patient-and family-centred, and in accordance with policies, procedures and standards of practice. You will complete assessment, treatment, education and management of clients' treatment progress and provide clinical support and consultation. You will collaborate and communicate with the health care team and participate in patient rounds, family conferences and meetings as related to the client and family.

• Classification: Recreation Therapist I
• Union: HSAA Prof/Tech
• Unit and Program: Unit 10-1A Concurrent Disorders Unit
• Primary Location: Alberta Hospital Edmonton
• Multi-Site: Not Applicable
• FTE: 1.00
• Posting End Date: 15-OCT-2026
• Temporary Employee Class: Temp F/T Benefits
• Date Available: 02-NOV-2026
• Temporary End Date: 26-JUL-2027
• Length of Shift in weeks: 10
• Shifts per cycle: 50
• Days Off: As Per Rotation
• Minimum Salary: $40.81
• Maximum Salary: $54.34
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

• Classification: Recreation Therapist I
• Union: HSAA Prof/Tech
• Unit and Program: Unit 10-1A Concurrent Disorders Unit
• Primary Location: Alberta Hospital Edmonton
• Location Details: As Per Location
• Multi-Site: Not Applicable
• FTE: 1.00
• Posting End Date: 15-OCT-2026
• Temporary Employee Class: Temp F/T Benefits
• Date Available: 02-NOV-2026
• Hours per Shift: 7.75
• Length of Shift in weeks: 10
• Shifts per cycle: 50
• Shift Pattern: Days, Evenings, Weekends
• Days Off: As Per Rotation
• Minimum Salary: $40.81
• Maximum Salary: $54.34
• Vehicle Requirement: Not Applicable

Required Qualifications:

Completion of bachelor's degree in Recreation Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation and Leisure Studies.Active or eligible registration with Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA).

Additional Required Qualifications:

Experience in therapeutic recreation within mental health or addiction settings, with strong skills in trauma-informed approaches. Ability to engage patients in meaningful, culturally safe activities and adapt programs for diverse needs is essential. Candidates should have excellent communication and de-escalation skills, proficiency in documentation and electronic health records, and the capacity to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team.

Preferred Qualifications:

As required.

Create and manage profiles for future opportunities.