Recreation Therapist, Recreation Rehab

IWK Health; Halifax; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

IWK Health in Halifax is seeking a Recreation Therapist to join the ambulatory and hospital-based teams. You will assess, plan, and implement leisure interventions for children, youth, and families, collaborating with care teams to promote life-long leisure skills and reduce barriers to participation.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation, NCTRC certification, at least two years of experience, and current BLS certification.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation (or Recreation with specialization) is required.
• NCTRC certification is required.
• Minimum 2 years experience as a recreation therapist; pediatric rehab experience preferred.
• BLS certification within 12 months or renewal accepted.

Responsibilities

• Assess and address pediatric clients' recreational and leisure needs.
• Plan and implement individual, family, or group interventions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams for program development and evaluation.
• Document plans and outcomes for continuity of care.

Skills

Communication

Counseling

Time management

Organization

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation

NCTRC Certification

Job description

Company: IWK Health

Req ID: 224083

Department/Program: Recreation Rehab , Children's Medical Care

Location: Halifax

Type of Employment: Temporary Hourly FT long-assignment ( 100% FTE) for 12 months x 1 position(s)

Start Date: ASAP

Union Status: NSGEU Hlthcare , Healthcare Bargaining Unit

Compensation: $ 35.8275 - $ 49.1957 /hour

Closing Date: 28 September 2026 (Applications are accepted until 23:59 Atlantic Time)

IWK Health is a respected academic health sciences centre located in Halifax, Nova Scotia, providing tertiary and primary care for two million children, youth, adults and families each year across the Atlantic region. We have a team of approximately 4000 employees, physicians, volunteers, and learners at sites across Nova Scotia . People build careers with IWK Health with our focus on training and mentorship opportunities. We recognize each other’s talent and celebrate our successes. We collaborate in modern facilities or virtually from home, align our work to our values , and enjoy access to enhanced benefits and wellness programs. We are proud to support our patients, families, and communities and are grateful for the generous donor support we receive.

Promoting an anti-racist environment and calling out discrimination as we work and provide care is important to us. We are located in Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and ancestral territory of the Mi’kmaq people. Working in Mi’kma’ki and providing care to those across Atlantic Canada is a shared privilege with the original inhabitants who have lived here for many thousands of years prior to colonization. There are 13 First Nation communities across Nova Scotia, and more than 50 historic African Nova Scotian communities who also have a long, deep, and complex history dating back over 400 years. We have the highest percentage of people with disabilities in the country. Nova Scotia has the highest proportion of transgender and non-binary people of any other province or territory in the country. We are active in our work to eliminate discrimination, but have more work to do to build that trust, acknowledge our biases, and reduce the barriers our diverse communities face. We want IWK Health to be a safe and supportive space of equity and belonging in the care we provide and the employment we offer. We welcome all interested persons who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotians, Persons of Colour, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply to support our goal for our workforce to be representative of the patients, families, and communities that we care for at all job levels.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Rehabilitation Services, the Recreation Therapist works as a member of the multidisciplinary rehab teams to provide services to children, youth, and their families in ambulatory settings (including hospitals, schools, daycare, homes, etc) in order to enable children, youth and their families to acquire the skills, knowledge, and behavior that will allow them to enjoy their leisure and participate as independently as possible in their home and community. The therapist will promote and enhance leisure lifestyle development for children and youth with disabilities through individual, family, and group interventions. The Recreation Therapist is responsible for the assessment of a child’s recreational and leisure needs, determining goals with the child and family, designing and implementing appropriate interventions and plans, including appropriate documentation/recording of the plan as well as evaluating the interventions in an efficient manner. These interventions are completed with the child and family within a variety of approaches such as an individual program, part of an interdisciplinary team, or community programs/supports. The therapist works in collaboration with IWK care teams, Professional Practice Leaders, and community partners. The Recreation Therapist may be involved in ambulatory program development with the goal of enhancing the development of life-long leisure skills and attitudes, eliminating barriers to leisure, and optimizing the leisure involvement of children and youth with disabilities in partnership with families, therapists, and community groups. The therapist participates in team and practice meetings, working groups, and committees as required.

Hours of Work

Regular hours are scheduled between 8 am and 4 pm; some flexibility is required.

Your Qualifications

• Baccalaureate degree of Science in Therapeutic Recreation or Bachelor of Recreation with a specialization in Therapeutic Recreation required.
• Certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) required.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience as a recreation therapist required (exclusive of practicum) with two (2) years of experience in pediatric rehab preferred.
• Current successful completion of a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Basic Life Support Level (BLS) Program within the last 12 months, or successful completion of a BLS Renewal Challenge Certificate, required
• Experience working with clients of various ages and disabilities required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in leisure/recreation assessment and intervention for young children with disabilities required.
• Knowledge of leisure education and leisure counseling processes required.
• Knowledge of various health conditions and their impact on health, well-being, and quality of life required.
• Effective counseling, communication (verbal & written), and presentation skills are required.
• Demonstrated ability to work as part of a collaborative, interdisciplinary team as well as the ability to work independently.
• Excellent time management, organization, and problem-solving skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities required.
• Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to family-centered care required.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and promote interpersonal & community relationships required.
• Valid minimal Class 5 Nova Scotia driver’s license and reliable transportation required.
• Knowledge of program-based care is an asset.
• Competencies in other languages are considered an asset.

Where there are no qualified candidates who meet the minimum requirements, consideration may be given to those with relevant experience.

Thank you for your interest in IWK Health.

Please note that we only contact applicants selected for interview/testing. If we invite you to participate in an assessment process (such as an interview or testing), you have the right to request accommodation. Please discuss your needs when invited to the assessment process.

This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Successful applicants changing unions, bargaining units or employment status are advised to seek clarification regarding their seniority, benefits, and vacation entitlement and/or usage, prior to accepting the position.

An offer of employment is conditional upon the completion and satisfactory results of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials.