Recreation Therapist (Resident Care)

The Role

Works collaboratively with the team to provide residents with the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities and programs. Provides residents with a sense of belonging and opportunities to be actively involved in the Sunnyside community. 

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. 
• Creates opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful and purposeful therapeutic programs and activities in accordance with the residents’ assessed interested, needs and abilities.  
• Conducts recreation therapy resident assessments based on interviews and observations. Reviews initial assessments and modifies assessments on an ongoing basis. Communicates with residents' families to discuss their progress and engagement. 
• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary team members to develop resident care plans outlining interventions to achieve engagement and fulfilment based on residents’ interests and needs. 
• Revises care plans on a quarterly basis or as needs change. Reviews and documents resident progress quarterly. Completes daily attendance, charting, RAI MDS coding, RAPS and care plans as required. Actively participates in care conferences, RAI rounds and BSO meetings.  
• Develops and administers therapeutic, individual, and group programs to meet the needs, abilities, and interests of a diverse population of residents.
• Plans and coordinates outings involving residents and family members. Operates Sunnyside Home's wheelchair accessible van. When outside the facility, ensures resident 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.
• Collaborates with other team members regarding resident status through participation in conferences and program meetings as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Maintains required documentation in residents' charts to communicate observed behaviour, participation in recreation programs, and changes in functional ability.
• Works in collaboration with the Recreation Assistant to create monthly therapeutic recreation programs and special events for distribution to residents and families. Submits articles to internal newsletter to promote programs and special events to residents, families, and the community. Designs and distributes posters and flyers throughout the Home to advertise recreation programs.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Participates in continued professional development, which may include conferences and workshops for ongoing education. Advocates for the profession by sharing program ideas, participating in professional bodies, and networking to maintain contact with peers in other facilities and the community. 
• Interacts with staff and management in other teams regarding joint programming needs. Participates on internal committees.
• Arranges and secures approval for payment for outings or events requiring resident funds and balances accounting for expenditures.
• Administers individual budget for resident 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. 
• 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. Trains and supervises volunteers and students on work placements. 
• Ensures supplies and equipment are maintained and secure (e.g., pianos, bar, therapeutic park, Snoezelen).
• Communicates significant problems and concerns to resident care staff and management.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Assessment skills based on knowledge of normal aging processes, illness, and cognitive impairment, knowledge of the therapeutic aspects of recreation, and ability to plan, implement, evaluate, and modify programs based on ongoing assessment are normally acquired through a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy and 1 year of experience in a gerontology setting.
• Eligibility for registration in related professional organizations, such as Therapeutic Recreation Ontario or Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association. Familiarity with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario approved Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
• Must have a tuberculosis (TB) test and required immunization(s).
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and legislation (e.g., health and safety, privacy).
• Working knowledge of group dynamics and age cohort characteristics for appropriate programming;
  medication sufficient to monitor residents' functioning levels; and of SmartServe and safe food handling practices. Knowledge of a variety of therapeutic interventions and leisure interests.
• Communication and human relations skills to motivate residents; train volunteers to assist with programs; participate in staff in-service training, quality assurance programs, and multi-disciplinary team meetings; lead individual and group programs; communicate with residents and their families regarding resident progress and participation; book events with local entertainers and community resources; and participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to read and interpret resident charts, educational materials, and policy and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to document progress or changes in residents' charts; maintain monthly statistics on program participation; write letters to request or confirm entertainment bookings, and to thank volunteers on behalf of Sunnyside Home. Ability to write proposals, program plans, monthly event calendars, newsletter articles, and project plans as assigned.
• 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 to support and promote residents using computers.
• Ability to work irregular, evening, and weekend hours.
• 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 such as the Q-straint system.
• Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector police records check.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.