Recreation Therapist (Community Alzheimer Program)
Job Number: 4071
Job Type: Temporary Full-Time
Vacancy Reason: Backfill
Temp Contract Length: Up to 18 months
Location: 247 Franklin St N - Sunnyside Home
Number of Positions: 1
Division: Community Services
Hours of Work: 77.5 hours biweekly, 0745-1545, 0800-1600
- Week 1: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri
- Week 2: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri
- Week 3: Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri
- Week 4: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat
Union: Unifor 1106
Grade: Unifor 1106 Grade 006
Salary Range: $32.05 - $34.45 per hour
About Us!
The Region of Waterloo is a thriving, diverse community committed to fostering opportunities for current and future generations. Waterloo Region is part of the Dish with One Spoon wampum, a treaty guiding our commitment to:
- Taking only what we need
- Leaving some for others
- Keeping the dish clean
This agreement underpins our vision, mission, and core value, and reinforces our dedication to meaningful reconciliation and equity.
Waterloo Region is home to over 674,000 residents and expected to grow to nearly one million by 2051. Guided by our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan, “Growing with Care,” we prioritize homes for all, climate aligned growth, equitable services and opportunities and a resilient and future ready organization. Our mission is to provide essential services that enhance the quality of life for all residents, while our core value emphasizes caring for people and the land we share. Join us and be part of a team dedicated to making a meaningful difference in our community.
The Role
Completes professional assessments for each participant upon admission to the Community Alzheimer Program. Develops, assesses and revises specific goals and objectives based on needs and abilities of each participant and recommend appropriate therapeutic recreational activities.
Duties/Responsibilities
- Develops, reassesses and revises individual goals and objectives for participants on a regular basis.
- Develops standardized evaluations for each participant and program activity based on mental status tests, interviews and behavioural observations of participants in the program. Reviews initial assessment and modifies evaluations on an ongoing basis.
- Researches, plans and organizes recreational and therapeutic programs for the specific individual needs and abilities of participants, incorporating such activities as art, baking, horticultural, music and woodworking therapy.
- Develops a training manual and job description summaries for volunteers and students.
- Develops and maintains a program manual for staff, outlining specific program requirements such as recommended time frames, materials to be used, procedures, etc., for recreational activities.
- Plans and develops guidelines for outings involving program participants; organizes suitable transportation, outlines health and safety requirements, recommends acceptable procedures and activities and group sizes in accordance with individual participant profiles. As required, conducts or attends outings.
- Acts as consultant to staff, recommending new or modified recreational activities specific to participants' individual needs and abilities.
- Ensures safe programming of activities for every participant, through planning of appropriate type of therapy, size of group, location and level of supervision.
- Provides back-up driving services to Day Away participants, as required.
- Participates in weekly staff meetings and in-service training specific to participant reviews and program matters.
- Participates in relevant conferences and workshops for ongoing education.
- Performs delegated responsibilities from the Supervisor, Alzheimer Programs.
- Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Assessment skills based on knowledge of dementia and changes that occur due to age and/or illness, knowledge of the therapeutic aspects of recreation and ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs based on assessments normally acquired through the attainment of a Recreation Therapy degree at the Bachelor level.
- Qualification for registration with related professional organization.
- At least one year of experience working with persons with dementia.
- Valid Type F driver’s licence in order to drive bus when required and ability to travel off-site as required.
Region of Waterloo is committed to building a workforce through fair, equitable, and accessible hiring practices that allow us to hire qualified staff who reflect the diversity of the community we serve and to promote a respectful, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and actively encourage applications from members of groups with historical and/or current barriers to equity, including, but not limited to:
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples;
- members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin;
- persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities;
- persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions
For questions or to request accommodations during your recruitment, onboarding or employment, please contact talentmanagement@regionofwaterloo.ca, or by calling our Service First Contact Centre at phone number (519) 575-4400.
Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Hiring Process: Region of Waterloo may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency during the recruitment process. However, applications will also be reviewed by a member of our Talent Acquisition team to ensure a fair and thorough assessment. AI does not make final hiring decisions.
Please note: candidates will be provided an update on their application. Please check your spam or junk folder occasionally as some candidates have noticed our emails in those folders (Gmail and Hotmail in particular).