Recreational Therapist

Detailed Overview

• Develops, modifies, assesses, plans, implements, evaluates and monitors therapeutic recreation programs and activities for a designated client population located at multiple locations to meet their therapeutic and clinical needs and to maintain and improve the client's cognitive, psychosocial, emotional and physical abilities;
• liaises with the interdisciplinary team to review the client's care plan and implements appropriate clinical interventions to meet physical, social, spiritual, emotional, intellectual and cultural needs of the client;

engages the client and family as collaborators in service planning, delivery and evaluation; assesses clients and provides work direction to designated staff, as required to ensure client care plans are implemented and / or revised to meet client care goals and objectives.

Responsibilities Develops therapeutic recreation programming / services for the client population based on clinical needs and available resources at the various locations;

implements and evaluates recreation therapy programming by reviewing and / or observing clinical outcomes and implements appropriate program modification to better meet therapeutic outcomes of the client population.

Educates clients and families in all aspects of therapeutic recreation therapy treatment to assist clients to acquire, develop and enhance cognitive, psychosocial, emotional and physical abilities to improve their quality of life.

Promotes the client's ability to access and participate in community resources to enhance the client's and caregiver's involvement in leisure / recreation activities by facilitating and assisting in individual or group leisure settings.

Participates in interdisciplinary team conferences and family conferences and collaborates with other team members regarding program related issues;

acts as a resource person to staff regarding therapeutic recreation needs for clients. Maintains client's records, clinical outcome measures and statistical data in accordance with department, facility and professional standards.

Participates in interdisciplinary, departmental and professional development to ensure awareness of current developments of evidence-based therapeutic recreation practice.

Conducts clinical assessments of each client's social and leisure abilities, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team, to identify client care goals and objectives;

evaluates current care plan and implements revisions to client's care plans. Provides recommendations regarding the purchase, general maintenance and repair of equipment and supplies.

Provides instruction, feedback and supervision to therapeutic recreation students as required. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreational from a recognized educational institution.

Two years' recent related experience working with older adults in a community setting, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Eligible for membership in the Canadian Association of Therapeutic Recreation and / or BC Therapeutic Recreation Association.

Valid BC Driver's License and access to a personal vehicle for business-related purposes. Skills and Abilities Demonstrated knowledge of therapeutic recreation, current trends and evidence-based practice.

Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. Demonstrated ability to teach, consult and advise. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with others. Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and prioritize work in a continuously changing environment and take initiative to ensure effective and timely delivery of services.

Demonstrated ability to deal with and promote change. Demonstrated ability to problem solve and effectively deal with conflict situations.

Ability to operate related equipment including applicable software applications. Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.