Recreation Therapist

Detailed Overview

Reporting to the Manager, Clinical Operations or designate, and as a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Recreation Therapist plans, develops, organizes, implements, documents and evaluates recreation programs and leisure activities which address the physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and cultural needs of patients;

assesses and develops from a psychosocial rehabilitation perspective, care plans and recreation therapy interventions to address psychosocial functioning and recovery for patients.

The Recreation Therapist is expected to engage the patient and their support systems as people with full competence and as full collaborators in service planning, delivery and evaluation.

Responsibilities Assesses the patient’s level of functioning, interests, goals, objectives and capacity to participate in leisure / recreation activities using methods such as taking leisure histories, analyzing leisure assessments, reviewing background information and documenting patient's conditions, abilities / interests to develop appropriate rehabilitation plans.

Provides therapeutic recreation interventions and leisure experiences to restore leisure functioning, promoting psychosocial health and recovery.

• Assists patients to acquire, develop and enhance leisure and recreational skills that will improve their quality of life;
• promotes the patient’s ability to access, support and participate in resources in the community by providing information about activities in the patient's community;

ensures the patients are involved in leisure / recreation activities by facilitating and assisting patients in individual or group leisure pursuits, either in the context of the patient’s home and / or within the community.

Liaises between patient, community resources and other members of the interdisciplinary team to serve as a resource person in matters related to leisure and recreation by providing educational sessions to patients and other health care professionals.

Provides continuous assessment of patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living by participating in both group and individual activities related to the patient's personal life, leisure, education and work.

Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences, by sharing expertise; provides recommendations on equipment and supply purchases and by participating in addressing orientation / education needs of health care professionals.

Promotes awareness and advocacy for leisure and recreational programming for the mental health population through partnerships with appropriate agencies / organizations and community of practice and providing support to patients.

Participates in Continuous Quality Improvement activities by providing input into the development, implementation and evaluation of the program, goals, objectives, policies and procedures to ensure effective resource utilization and quality patient care.

Completes required reports, records and workload statistics; maintains files and records in accordance with program standards and procedures.

Maintains knowledge of current developments in evidence-based therapeutic recreation practice through reviewing relevant literature, consulting with other health care professionals and attending relevant education programs.

Evaluates the effectiveness of direct clinical care and education provided to the mental health patients; provides input to the interdisciplinary team regarding changes to improve efficiency and / or effectiveness or service;

identifies personal learning needs and reviews with the Manager, Clinical Operations and engages in a variety of activities to meet those needs.

Performs other related duties as assigned. Qualifications Education, Training & Experience Completion of an accredited Therapeutic Recreation program from a recognized educational institution to the level of : a baccalaureate degree, or a diploma in combination with equivalent training and experience.

One year recent related experience working within the mental health field. Eligibility for membership with the BC Therapeutic Recreation Association and / or Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association.

Current Food Safe certificate. Skills & Abilities Ability to accept responsibility and exercise initiative and independent judgment.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload in a complex environment.

Demonstrated knowledge of the scope of practice of other health care disciplines. Knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery principles.

Demonstrated ability to make effective referrals, reflecting in-depth knowledge of resources and strong collaborative skills in working with other services.

Ability to operate related equipment including a computerized patient / family information system and related software programs such as word processing, and e-mail.

Ability to work independently and / or in a team-based environment. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.