RECREATION THERAPIST

• Job ID: 52129
• Job Category: Community & Social Services
• Division & Section: Seniors Services & Long Term Care, LTC Regional Services
• Work Location: Kipling Acres
• Job Type & Duration: 1 Permanent vacancy
• Hourly Rate and Wage Grade: $39.14 - $42.88
• Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
• Affiliation: L79 Full-time
• Number of Positions Open: 1 
• Posting Period: 20-Jan-2025 to 03-Feb-2025 
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The City’s Seniors Services and Long-Term Care Division supports Toronto seniors and residents in long-term care homes to have the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible through exceptional care and services. Vulnerable individuals who reside in the community are supported through adult day programs, supportive housing services, tenancy support and homemakers and nurses services. CareTO is our brand for the culture change we are investing in for the City’s 10 directly operated long-term care homes (https://www.toronto.ca/community-people/housing-shelter/rental-housing-tenant-information/finding-housing/long-term-care-homes/careto/). The division values Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence which shape our organizational culture, our priorities, and the experiences of all those who live, work, volunteer, and visit.

• Determines appropriate programing, implements, and evaluates individualized and group therapeutic recreation/leisure/life skills programs and special events.
• Implements and conducts activation, recreation, and social programs (i.e., discussion groups, fun and fitness, activities of daily living or special events). Explains, demonstrates, and assists residents in performing activities.
• Creates and supports a plan of care based on residents’ individually assessed strengths, needs and interests.
• Supports and contributes to the progress, implementation, and evaluation of improvements to programs and initiatives.
• Leads and instructs multidisciplinary team members, volunteers and students in activity strategies and implementation.
• Plans programs by gathering information concerning practicality and cost of activities.
• Works with residents to determine goals and strategies for implementing programs and schedules tailored to resident needs.
• Participates in team meetings to present program alterations and adaptations to Manager.
• Incorporates activation fitness and rehabilitative care activities, as prescribed by home physician or medical specialists, into individual programs (e.g., walking, stretching, etc.).
• Performs daily exercise routines with residents.
• Documents residents' interests/needs and progress. Maintains documentation regarding assessment, progress and involvement of residents in programs, resident activation goals and strategies on individualized care plans. Chairs team conferences as a member of Home/Divisional committees.
• Coordinates activities by obtaining adequate supplies; distributing and writing information/flyers; collecting funds.
• Accompanies residents on outings, arranging for transportation, tickets/reservations, ensuring dietary needs can be met.
• Promotes resident safety by resolving conflicts in a timely manner.
• Collaborates with other allied health, medical team members and community resources to coordinate resident care interventions with recreation therapy activities.
• Directs Youth Trainees, volunteers, and students. Evaluates programs and progress of students.
• Feeds and toilets residents as required.

Key qualifications:
Your application must describe your qualifications as they relate to:

1. Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation & Leisure Studies with Therapeutic Recreation focus required.
2. Current registration with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario in good standing required.
3. Considerable experience in determining, implementing, and evaluating activation, recreation, and social programs in a long-term care setting.
4. Considerable experience in assessing and evaluating resident needs, as well as establishing appropriate goals and strategies.
5. Considerable experience in applying activation and restorative care principles in a long-term care or rehabilitation environment.
6. Considerable experience working on a behavioural support unit in a long-term care setting.

You must also have:

• Certification or training in Dementia Care, GPA, U-First, DementiAbility or Montessori Methods would be considered an asset.
• Availability to work weekdays, weekends and statutory holidays to support a 7-day model of Recreation Therapy services.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles of Responsive Behaviour Support Programs, person centered care, gerontology and geriatrics related to long-term care.
• Knowledge and skills working with individuals with responsive behaviours associated with dementia, delirium, mental health, or other relevant conditions.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply group dynamic principals, therapeutic modalities of recreation, and a quality improvement approach in the delivery of recreation services.
• Ability to establish therapeutic relationships with residents and their families.
• Ability to motivate individual residents to maximize their participation in meaningful leisure activities.
• Ability to maintain appropriate documentation on residents' progress, care plans, evaluation tools and audits.
• Ability to work effectively and communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with residents, staff, students, volunteers, families, the community and agencies.
• Ability to deliver a high level of Customer Service, Fiscal Accountability, Innovation, Results Orientation and Teamwork.
• Sound judgement and ability to handle matters of a confidential and/or sensitive nature.
• Ability to utilize a variety of software applications such as Microsoft Word and automated systems (i.e. Point Click Care).
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team setting as a lead or team member.
• Ability to work in a highly demanding work environment with many competing priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to promote Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.

Please note:

• As a condition of employment with the Seniors Services & Long-Term Care Division, selected candidates will be required to provide a satisfactory Police Reference Check (PRC) with vulnerable sector screening, tuberculosis screening and proof of immunization in accordance with the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021 (O. Reg 246/22).
• Proof of education/certification is required.
• Hourly Rate reflects Preliminary Evaluation

NOTE TO INTERNAL FULL-TIME AND PART-TIME CITY OF TORONTO EMPLOYEES:

City of Toronto employees must apply to full-time or part-time employment opportunities posted on the City's Internal Job Posting Portal.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.