About the Role

With a passion for resident care, the Recreation Therapist is responsible and accountable for the provision of resident assessments and interventions; site/ unit recreation programs to optimize resident physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional and social functions. The Recreation Therapist works in close liaison with the Interdisciplinary Team and is accountable to provide leadership and supervision to the Recreation Therapy Assistant or Therapy Assistant as applicable.

What You Will Do
Individual responsibilities will fall under these main areas of focus:

1. Resident Centered Care: Promotes service excellence through active participation with the Interdisciplinary Team to achieve and maintain quality resident care within the scope of Recreation Therapy.

Performance Measures include:

• Conducts recreation therapy assessments in alignment with Bethany Care policies and procedures.
• Monitors on-going evaluation of Recreation Services and adapts programs and schedules as needed to meet the needs of the residents.
• Coordinates Recreation programming provided by community partners (eg. Music therapy, pet therapy, performers etc.).
• Promotes resident independence, choice and engagement through self-directed leisure opportunities.
• Utilizes critical thinking skills in delivery of resident centered care.

1. Documentation: Accurate, comprehensive and timely documentation of resident care assessment, interventions and outcomes in alignment with Bethany policies and procedures.

Performance Measures include:

• Documents in healthcare records, including resident centered care plan.
• Ensures record of resident participation is completed and monitored.
• Communicates resident changes and unusual occurrences as appropriate.
• Maintains accurate records of recreation budgets and provides reports as directed.

1. Safety: Contributes to a safe environment for residents, team and self by understanding and adhering to safety guidelines and practices at all times.

Performance Measures include:

• Demonstrates thorough knowledge of all resident and occupational health and safety policies and procedures.
• Identifies and mitigates unsafe conditions in the work environment, including immediate reporting of any unsafe conditions.
• Utilizes the reporting process for Employee Injury and Hazardous conditions and resident unusual occurrences.
• Demonstrates knowledge of infection control policies and procedures.
• Ensures the safety of residents, staff and volunteers with respect to recreation program participation within site and during outings.
• Participates in fire drills and understands fire, WHMIS, MSIP and general safety procedures.

1. Pro-active Learner: Demonstrates the vision and values of Bethany and lives out the mission of Creating Caring Communities.

Performance Measures include:

• Understands, follows and applies all Bethany Standards of Conduct.
• Demonstrates a passion for care towards residents, families and team members.
• Attends and actively participates in Interdisciplinary Team meetings and care conferences, and shares knowledge of the resident and advocates for resident choice.
• Attends and actively participates in education opportunities, health and safety training and safe equipment operation training.
• Collaborates, communicates and shares knowledge and learning experiences with co-workers.
• Demonstrates commitment to learning new skills, and actively participates in workplace projects.

1. Team Work: Cares for and actively participates and assists the Interdisciplinary Team to achieve and maintain a responsible atmosphere of resident centered care.

Performance Measures include:

• Promotes constructive caring relationships with the Interdisciplinary Team, by fostering an understanding of the unique contributions of all team members
• Educates and assists the Interdisciplinary Team to provide resident centered services
• Promotes and maintains a partnership with residents’ families.
• Assists in the review of Recreation programs and actively participates in the implementation and evaluation of new Recreation programs and services.
• Contributes to the establishment of short and long term goals for the resident.

1. Leadership: Enables a high performance culture through leading, developing and coaching employees.

Performance Measures include:

• Provides orientation, supervision and direction to Recreation Therapy Assistant to ensure expected outcomes of service.
• Provides timely, positive and constructive performance feedback regarding Recreation Therapy Assistant to the Therapies Supervisor
• Supports ongoing educational development for Recreation Therapy Assistant.

What You Bring

• Recreation Therapy Diploma or degree in Therapeutic Recreation
• Previous experience in geriatrics preferred
• Knowledge of and experience with dementia care preferred
• Registration with Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association preferred but not required
• Membership in appropriate regulatory college when required
• Able to work effectively in a physically and mentally demanding environment
• Demonstrates ability to understand, speak, read and write effectively in English
• Excellent observation, communication and problem solving skills
• Current First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate
• Class 4 driver’s license if driving resident passenger bus is required

Physical Requirements

• Significant physical activity is required to provide mobility assistance to residents (lifts and transfers, repositioning, portering).
• Occasional lifting of up to 20 kgs may be required.
• Manual resident assistance may be required and may require pushing, pulling or lifting up to 20 kgs.
• Pushing and pulling of low resistance wheeled equipment (primarily wheelchairs and mechanical lifts) up to 10 kgs.
• May need to be on feet for extended periods standing and walking.
• Bending, kneeling and squatting for brief periods but multiple times per shift is required.
• Good vision and hearing (with correction if needed) is required.
• Overall good physical and mental health is critical.

Position Information:

• Posting Number: 25-8844
• Position Number: CDR-CS20-001
• Location: Bethany CollegeSide
• Classification: Recreation Therapist
• FTE: 1.00
• Position Type: Full Time Temporary (Temporary Position Ending: May 04, 2026)
• Shift and Hours of Work: Days (08:00 - 16:15)
• Hours Per Shift: 7.75 hours
• Shift Per Cycle: 20 x 7.75hr day shifts in a 4 week rotation
• Position Start Date: May 02, 2025
• Posting End Date:  Until Filled