Recreation Therapist

JOB SUMMARY: The Recreation Therapist holds a leadership position in the Park Place Home and is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring 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.
TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Administration:
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.

2 . Resident 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, residents will be accompanied by employees, volunteers, family members or substitute decision-makers to ensure safety.

Attends education sessions.

Performs other related duties as required.

3. Community:
Maintain good relations with the community through participation in/and development of community-based programs, including regular contact with community agencies.

Represents the Park Place Home as required through involvement on committees, related work and with professional associations.

4. 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 AND SAFETY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsible for reading, understanding and complying with Park Place's Occupational Health & Safety policies and safe work practices.

Use safe work procedures including complying with rules and regulations.

Responsible to take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of residents, visitors, self, other employees, volunteers, and the public.

Report near misses, injury, equipment damage, accidents to the supervisor immediately and complete required reports.

Report on unsafe work conditions and unsafe acts.  Make safety suggestions

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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Recreation Therapist position requires a significant amount of walking, sitting and standing throughout the shift. A frequent amount of squatting, bending, kneeling, and reaching. Requires occasional heavy lifting, pushing and/or pulling of heavy objects, and moving of furniture.
HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS - ENVIRONMENT
Physical: Strain on shoulder, neck, and back, eye strain/ injury, electrical shock Environmental: Draught, dust exposure, working alone situation, using equipment with moving parts

Chemical: Cleaning and disinfectants

Biological: Exposure to communicable diseases, i.e., colds, influenza, GI.

Radiation: Minimal High-Risk Element: Ergonomics and psychological related to resident exercise programs and interaction with residents
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