Recreation Therapist (Community Alzheimer Program)

The Role

With the support of an interdisciplinary team, leads the development of creating a supportive, inclusive, and person-centred day program experience for community-dwelling older adults with cognitive impairments through specialized therapeutic recreation activities.

Supports care approaches that are evidence-informed, recognize the uniqueness of each person, put people before tasks, and support an awareness of one’s contribution to the relationship, including personal attitudes, values, and actions. 

Duties/Responsibilities

• Works as part of an interdisciplinary team to create a caring, person-centred, home-like environment where people feel listened to and cared about. 
• Conducts recreation therapy assessments based on interviews and observations.
• Researches, plans, and organizes recreational and therapeutic programs and service planning for individual needs, preferences and abilities of clients in group settings.
• Develops and administers therapeutic, individual, and group programs to meet the needs, abilities, and interests of a diverse population of clients.
• Understands the emotional needs of persons living with dementia and actively supports connections, positive experiences, and a sense of purpose through interactions. Engages clients in daily living tasks and activities (e.g., cleaning, folding, gardening, making and serving tea, sorting, tidying, fixing). Sets up the environment to support meaningful engagement, including items of historic/personal interest, to promote independent, spontaneous engagement and a sense of joy and purpose. 
• Monitors to ensure clients are not left alone for long periods without engagement. Ensures safe programming, through planning of appropriate type of therapy, size of group, location, and level of supervision. Takes the lead in assigning team members to the various functions of the day based on skill, need and capacity.
• Assists with toileting and feeding as necessary.
• Develops, reassesses, and revises individual goals and objectives on a regular basis. Participates as part of the interdisciplinary team in the update of service plans.  
• Develops a training manual and job description summaries for volunteers and students.
• Develops and maintains standard operating procedures for staff that outline specific program requirements (e.g., recommended timeframes, materials to be used, procedures), for recreational activities.
• Plans and coordinates outings. Operates Sunnyside Home's wheelchair accessible bus. Obtains and documents consents from substitute decisionmakers. When outside the facility, ensures client/tenant care, including appropriate medication, safety, and comfort per policies and procedures. Reports significant occurrences to registered team members on return from outings and documents accordingly.
• Administers individual budget for client programming. Has a p-card to make purchases/pay for events. Submits statements to supervisor for approval. Requisitions for petty cash purchases upon supervisor's approval. Tracks and manages purchases made by Recreation Assistants.
• Participates in staff meetings and in-service training specific to participant reviews and program matters, as well as conferences and workshops for ongoing education. 
• Trains and supervises volunteers and students on work placements. Participates in volunteer and student orientations, mentoring/coaching, and performance evaluations. Supervises program participants at all times to ensure safe, therapeutic participation. When on outings, monitors and provides guidance to attending staff, volunteers, and family members.
• Ensures that supplies and equipment are maintained and secure (e.g., pianos, Snoezelen).
• Keeps knowledge current through in-service training and communications. Demonstrates/explains work procedures to help train volunteers and/or new staff as directed. Participates in volunteer and student orientations and performance evaluations.
• Communicates significant problems and concerns to management.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy and at least 1 year of experience working with persons with dementia.
• 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.
• Eligibility for registration with a related professional organization such as Therapeutic Recreation Ontario or Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association. Familiarity with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario approved Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and legislation (e.g., health and safety, privacy).
• Must have a tuberculosis (TB) test and required immunization(s).
• Creativity, flexibility, organizational, advocacy, and problem-solving skills to meet changing participant needs.
• Ability to demonstrate compassion, validate emotions, support dignity, and promote understanding of those living with Alzheimer’s. Human relations and communication skills to interact pleasantly and professionally with participants, their families, volunteers, and other staff; engage participants and their families in recreation and social programs using positive language to support emotional well-being; assist on outings; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to read participant files, educational materials, and policy and procedures manuals. Ability to write participant and program evaluation and progress reports and develop program and volunteer manuals.
• Organization and time management skills to plan and coordinate programs and outings. 
• Ability to work independently.
• Computer skills with ability to use Microsoft Office (including Excel) and promote participants’ computer use.
• Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector police check.
• Must have a valid class F driver's license and acceptable driving record to operate a Region-owned vehicle. Working knowledge of passenger security devices (e.g., Q-straint). When not operating the van must have ability to travel within Waterloo Region.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.