DEVONSHIRE SENIORS COMMUNITY

Closing Date: Until Position is Filled
POSITION AVAILABLE – Recreation Therapist
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY – Full -Time
WAGE RATE - Dependent on Qualified Experience

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Rehab Manager, the Recreation Therapist is responsible to develop, implement and monitor programs which meet the physical, social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of the residents. Is responsible for department administration and programming. Ensures a commitment to resident safety and to our “culture of safety” as per the Strategic Directions of Park Place Seniors Living.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Degree or Diploma in an accredited school for Recreation Therapy.
• Valid First Aid/CPR certification with a minimum of two (2) years related experience preferred.
• Class 4 Driver’s License (preferred).
• Previous experience coordinating recreation programs. Familiarity with characteristics of long-term care residents.
• Previous experience working with volunteers, program organization and public relations preferred.
• Equivalences may be considered.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English with a strong ability to communicate with and understand the changing needs of residents’ living in long term care.
• Must be organized, dependable and flexible.
• Must possess the ability to make decisions and be accountable for those decisions.
• Strong communicator with residents, families, employees, volunteers, and visitors.
• Should be able to operate the Home’s Handi-bus, if applicable.
• Proven ability to prioritize and organize workload.
• Team building skills.
• Ability to facilitate resolution of problems/conflicts.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Recreation Therapist is responsible for:

1. Administration

• Maintains a participatory and collaborative approach in the planning, implementation and evaluation of Recreation Therapy programs that reflect the needs of the different population groups at the Park Place Home.
• Assumes responsibility for the Recreation Therapy department.
• Chairs, attends, and participates in monthly Recreation Therapy department meetings
• Participates in various site committees as assigned
• Works with the interdisciplinary team in the identification of and response to residents, employees, and volunteer needs.

1. Resident Programs

• Responsible for the planning, preparation, implementation, and evaluation of recreation programs in addition to the maintenance of attendance records for those programs.
• Responsible for training, supervision, and evaluation of Recreation Aides
• Responsible for recording pertinent information regarding the progress of residents
• Maintains ongoing communication with other team members.
• Completes the Park Place Quality Assurance program audits and evaluations including summary and action plans to determine results and effectiveness of current programs
• Ensures that every resident is involved in identified recreational activities to meet the goals of the resident’s recreational treatment plan. Leads, instructs, and motivates residents in individual and group leisure pursuits.
• Ensures that when resident programs occur off-site, that residents will be accompanied by employees and/or volunteers and/or family members or substitute decision-maker to ensure safety at all times.
• Attends education sessions.
• Performs other related duties as required.

1. Community

• Maintain good relations with the community through participation in/and development of community-based program, including regular contact with community agencies.
• Represents the Park Place Home as required through involvement on committees, related work and with professional associations

1. Documentation

• Coordinates and participates in MDS data entry by communicating and observing the resident, communicating with the direct care employees, interdisciplinary team, and family.
• Responsible for both the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and the Resident Assessment Protocols (RAPs) as it pertains to recreation, which includes: care plans, progress notes.
• Records complete, accurate and relevant data for every resident according to Park Place charting protocol.

HEALTH & SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible to read, understand and comply with Park Place’s and provincially-mandated Occupational Health and Safety policies and safe work practices.
• Involved in all aspects of the Health and Safety Program including:
• Uses safe work procedures,
• Promotes health and safety policy and awareness
• Makes safety suggestions.
• Reads OHS minutes posted.
• Responsible to take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of Residents, self, other workers and the public.
• Reports any near miss, injury, and accident or equipment damage to supervisor immediately and completes required reports.
• Corrects and/or reports unsafe conditions.
• Sets a good example.