Recreation Therapy Assistant (TFT)

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care; Penetanguishene; On-site; CAD 4,054,000 - 4,262,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Includes 6% in lieu of vacation to 6%

14% in lieu of benefits OR 10% HOOPP

Employee referral program

EFAP

Job summary

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care in Ontario is seeking a Temporary Full-Time Recreational Therapist Assistant. You will support Recreation Therapists in delivering participatory programs and assess/leverage patient strengths to meet leisure-related goals.

You will maintain equipment, ensure safety, input program data, and help coordinate interventions while adhering to health and safety policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Post-Secondary education in Therapeutic Recreation or related field - Required
• Valid Class G Driver’s License in good standing; Class F is an asset
• Registration with TRO as R/TRO DIP and National Life Savings Certification - Preferred
• Knowledge of safety and security policies, practices and procedures
• Ability to work under supervision of RT and deliver recreation therapy services
• Proficiency with data entry, inventory control and using electronic health records

Responsibilities

• Develops and facilitates participatory recreation programs under RT guidance
• Delivers recreation therapy services and assists in goal attainment for patients
• Reports progress to RT; collects and inputs program data
• Maintain equipment and inventory; ensure safety and security in facilities
• Support staff and patients with behavior management and equipment allocation
• Adhere to hospital policies and applicable health and safety legislation

Skills

Therapeutic Recreation

Rehabilitation support

Teamwork

Communication

Crisis prevention

Education

Therapeutic Recreation education

Tools

Microsoft Office

EHR Systems

Job description

DEPT/PROGRAM

Rehabilitation Services

JOB CLASS

Recreational Therapist Assistant

EMPLOYMENT TYPE

Temporary Full Time
(Up to 6 months)

RATE OF PAY

$29.43-$30.94 per hour

WORK SCHEDULE

75 hours bi-weekly

EMPLOYEE GROUP

OPSEU

VACANCYTYPE

EXISTING Vacancy

Open

POSTING DATE

October 8, 2026

HYBRID ELIGIBLE

No

NUMBER

1

Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care is a 321-bed academic and teaching hospital that provides specialized mental health, addiction and geriatric care. Located on the shores of Georgian Bay, we serve some of the most complex and disadvantaged individuals in Ontario and are the sole provider of high-secure forensic mental health services in the province.

The Clinical Manager of Rehabilitation Services is currently seeking a Temporary Full-Time Recreational Therapist Assistant. The purpose of the position is to provide recreation services to Provincial programs. The Recreational Therapist Assistant (RTA) will work under the direction of the Recreation Therapist (RT) to deliver recreation therapy services, assist in the delivery of participatory and goal-oriented programs and services to meet the leisure related needs of patient/clients and contribute to the continuum of services.

• Working under the direction of Recreation Therapists (RT), the RTA develops and facilitates participatory recreation programs and delivers recreation therapy services while considering the patients/client’s strengths and abilities.
• Provides input, observations and reporting that will support the RT to conduct assessment, develop intervention plans or evaluate client’s progress in relation to the intervention plans.
• Report leisure-related feedback to the RT from clients and/or caregiver(s) on a day-to-day basis as well as the collection and input of pertinent program data.
• Under the guidance of the RT, ensure that patient/client goals and intervention plans are addressed and communicate feedback from/about the client to the RT.
• Maintain, deliver and account for recreation equipment as required and ensure than an up-to-date inventory in sustained.
• Maintain recreation facilities such as recreation centres, fitness equipment, swimming pool, skating rink by performing minor maintenance tasks such as blowing snow and flooding the rink etc., cleaning and ensuring adequate levels of chemicals in the pool, providing regular maintenance of the bicycles etc.
• Ensure the safety and security of staff, patients and the public, adhering to all policies, procedures and practices related to the working environment, including maintaining an awareness of potential risks, clients’/patients’ mental status and behaviors.
• Support patients and clients when managing disruptive behaviours (CPI, etc.) and using discretion when handing out or assigning equipment.
• Managers have the right to assign additional duties and schedule alternate work locations based on operational requirements.
• Always performs all work in compliance with all hospital policies and procedures, legislation (Occupational Health & Safety Act, Fire Code, WHMIS, etc.) relevant to health and safety, security and potential risk hazards.

REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-Secondary education in Therapeutic Recreation or related field - Required
• Valid Class G Driver’s License in good standing is required. Class "F" is an asset
• Registration with TRO as R/TRO DIP and National Life Savings Certification - Preferred
• Psychiatric illnesses to serve Waypoint clients/patients
• Recreation facilitation to assist in the provision of recreation service delivery
• Safety and security policies, practices and procedures to maintain a safe environment
• Relevant mental health legislation, Privacy legislation etc.to ensure legal requirements are met
• Principles of rehabilitation and recovery including supportive counseling, service planning, implementation and coaching
• Crisis prevention and intervention techniques
• Awareness of the therapeutic recreation process including assessment, observations and goal attainment
• Spreadsheet data entry, word processing and other relevant software packages to maintain inventory, communicate and ensure quality record keeping Interpersonal skills to build therapeutic relationships with patients/clients
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills to partner with RTs to assist in the design implementation -of therapeutic recreation programs
• Written and verbal communication skills to provide feedback regarding interventions, and to convey observations and other relevant information with all stakeholders Computer skills to document patient/client progress in an electronic health record and to utilize multiple software applications.
• Recreational skills such as sports, arts, drama, etc. to facilitate a broad spectrum of recreational activities for patient/clients.
• Organizational skills to assist in the required maintenance and inventory control of equipment and facilities across the organization.
• Results oriented work ethic to work independently and undertake tasks needed to accomplish work objectives and deliver quality, consistent and timely results
• Demonstrated leadership, conflict resolution, interpersonal and organizational skills
• Proven written and verbal communication skills
• Proven ability to adapt readily to changeand reflects an optimistic and positive attitude
• Models and promotes core ethical practice, Waypoint Values (Caring, Respect, Accountability, Innovation)
• Preference for proficiency in French/English language skills.

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Includes 6% in lieu of vacation to start and 14% in lieu of benefits OR 10% if enrolling in HOOPP
• Participation in the employee referral program
• Access to Waypoint’s Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)