Recreation Therapist II (TPT 0.2 FTE)

The Royal; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading mental health facility in Ottawa seeks a Recreation Therapist II. This part-time position involves developing and implementing recreation therapy plans for clients, ensuring client-centered care, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams. Candidates should have a degree in Recreation Studies or an allied health field and experience with mental illness. Salary of $45.45 to $54.10 per hour based on experience.

Qualifications

• Experience with clients living with moderate to severe mental illness.
• Ability to develop and lead client-centered programs.
• Experience in hospital settings.
• Membership with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

• Assess and develop recreation therapy plans for clients.
• Provide community integration opportunities.
• Implement and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs.
• Supervise student placements and volunteers.

Skills

Client-centered programming

Recreation therapy assessment

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Bilingual (English/French)

Education

University degree in Recreation/Leisure Studies

Post-grad Therapeutic Recreation diploma

Job description

Position Information

Posting Number: ROM25-348E

Title: Recreation Therapist II (TPT 0.2 FTE)

Position Status: Temporary Part-time

Contract End Date: 08/15/2026

FTE: 0.2

Job Schedule: Days/Evenings

Unit: Mood & Anxiety Inpatient Unit

Department: Mood & Anxiety

Union: OPSEU Local 479

Site: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre

Number of Vacancies: 1

About The Royal

As one of Canada’s foremost mental health care and academic health science centres, The Royal has a clear purpose: to get more people living with mental illness into recovery faster. This is at the core of everything we do and it is driven by the passion, focus and dedication of our employees. Every day, the work that we do transforms the lives of people with mental illness through specialized mental healthcare, advocacy, research and education.

Duties

• Complete timely assessment of referred Forensic Rehabilitation Unit patients for recreation therapy intervention.
• Develop individual recreation therapy plans for clients in accordance with their needs, interests, skills, goals, and functioning level including assisting clients with daily, weekly, and weekend goal setting.
• Develop comprehensive therapeutic recreation services for the Forensic Rehabilitation Unit based on best practices consistent with the clinical direction, programming needs, and TRO standards of practice.
• Provide leisure education sessions individually or in group as indicated by client assessment to increase leisure attitudes, leisure awareness and skills.
• Provide community integration opportunities to patients, as appropriate.
• Support transition from inpatient to outpatient recreation therapy services, as appropriate.
• Implement and evaluate all therapeutic recreation programs on the Forensic Rehabilitation Unit.
• Ensure that small group activities and individualized activities are provided for those clients not interested or able to participate in centralized or community opportunities.
• Provide opportunities for each patient to plan, initiate, facilitate and participate in their own recreation and leisure within the facility as well as providing awareness of the availability of leisure activities within the patients' own community upon discharge.
• Monitor, update and implement policies and procedures relevant to recreation and leisure programs and services.
• Manage equipment resources.
• Participate in ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Work in collaboration with the interdisciplinary care team for group programming, client case conferences and team communication.
• Supervise student placements and volunteers.
• Facilitate and implement quality management and risk management activities for the Integrated Forensics Program.
• Ensure that information about recreation, programs and services are readily available to clients, their representatives, and families.
• Collaborate and liaise with outpatient Recreation Therapist to support community partnerships.
• Participate as an active member of the ROMHC Recreation Therapy Discipline, reporting to the Senior Recreation Therapist and Director of Allied Health Professional Practice with regard to professional issues and standards.
• Work in a manner that complies with staff and patient/client safety practices, policies and procedures of the Royal.
• Work in a manner that is dedicated to client and family-centered care.
• Ensure a work environment that is conducive to the Royal’s Anti-Racism, Harassment, & Discrimination Free Workplace Policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• University degree in Recreation/Leisure Studies or an Allied Health Degree with a post‑grad Therapeutic Recreation diploma will be considered.
• Experience working with clients living with moderate to severe mental illness, substance use disorders, and concurrent disorders across the life span.
• Knowledge of the impact of diagnosis on leisure functioning.
• Ability to develop, plan and lead a variety of recreation therapy, leisure education and participation programs that are client‑centered, evidence‑based and outcome oriented.
• Experience conducting leisure assessments, developing and delivering therapeutic programs, evaluating programs and services, documenting to reflect client‑centered outcomes and progress, and facilitating links with the community.
• Experience working in a hospital, interdisciplinary setting is required.
• Experience with provision of individual and group programming is required, including goal setting.
• Membership with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario is an asset.
• Class F license is an asset.
• English level A- in oral expression, oral comprehension, and preferred in reading and writing. Bilingual (French/English) is considered an asset.

Salary Range: 45.45 to 54.10 per hour

Additional Information

• All applicants must provide a recent resume that clearly indicates that they meet the required qualifications.
• Please apply by clicking on the Apply button below.
• The Royal sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in a career with us; however, only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
• All new hires will be required to obtain a clear and valid Criminal Record or Vulnerable Sector Records Check as a pre‑condition of employment.
• The Royal Ottawa Health Care Group is committed to equity and inclusion in the workplace. Our commitment is rooted in the belief that a diverse workforce enhances the quality of care and organizational strength. We encourage applications from members of equity‑deserving communities and welcome individuals from all backgrounds. Upon request, accommodations due to disability are available throughout the recruitment process.