Recreation Therapy Assistant (VM) Full-Time

DEPARTMENT: Therapy Department
JOB TITLE: Recreation Therapy Assistant
LINE: DPRRA1.0004VM 
REPORTS TO: Recreation Manager and Recreation Therapists
S alary Range: $21.51 - 26.94 per AUPE Collective Agreement Local 47 Chapter 38
Current 4-week shift Rotation:

WEEK	Thu	Fri	Sat	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed
1	D7.5	D7.5	X	X	E7.5	E7.5	E7.5
2	E7.5	X	E7.5	E7.5	X	D7.5	D7.5
3	D7.5	D7.5	X	X	E7.5	E7.5	E7.5
4	E7.5	E7.5	X	X	D7.5	D7.5	D7.5

Educational Qualifications:

• Recognized Therapy Assistant Diploma (Therapeutic Recreation or Rehabilitation) from an accredited school, equivalent training, or experience to be considered.
• Food safe certificate an asset.

Work Experience:

• 1-2 years experience in working with Mental health, Dementia, Physical disabilities residents.
• Experience in leading group and individual programs
• Computer knowledge required.
• Food safe certificate

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Responsible for day-to-day preparation, implementation, and evaluation of Recreation / Therapy programs for Villa Marguerite (VM) and Spruce wood Place (SPW).
• Implements and facilitates and assists programs on the Recreation Therapy Calendar at VM and SPW to meet physical, emotional, social, spiritual, cognitive needs of each resident.
• Maintains and fills out Recreation attendance log daily for each individual resident. Monitor and report significant change in level of participation.
• Assists Recreation Manager and Recreation Therapist develop care/treatment plans to meet the needs of the resident’s interests and goals.
• Maintain relationships with all departments.
• Plan, develop, implement, and evaluate therapeutic programs for various populations.  Adapt programs to meet the needs of the resident.
• Demonstrate the ability to recognize cultural/ religious diversity of residents, staff, families, and volunteers.
• Attends educational sessions.
• Adhere and make sure staff adhere to infection and control measures.
• Responsible for resident safety always and keeping environment safe. Report unsafe conditions to your immediate supervisor.
• Report and fill out Incident reports in a timely manner.
• Fill in and submit all food requisitions for Recreation Therapy programs that require it.                                                                                                                                                                     
• Coordinates, organizes, and supervises the volunteers at VM and SPW.
• Monitoring and communicating the need for Therapy supplies and equipment.
• Reports resident’s progress or concerns to Recreation Manager and Recreation Therapist.   
• Demonstrate the ability to document and chart in a timely manner on resident progress and concerns.  Reports all incidents to the Recreation Manager and Recreation Therapist.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of residents needs and adapts programs to fit each Resident's needs.
• Gives input regarding residents for family conferences to the Recreation Therapist(s).
• Exhibits strong leadership skills.
• Reports family (guardian), staff, resident, and volunteer concerns in a timely manner. To be an advocate for residents
• Supports student practicums in collaboration with Recreation Manager/ Recreation Therapist.
• Proactively communicates with team members and solicits feedback.
• Maintains confidentiality on issues relating residents, employees and matters of PPL
• Excellent written and English language skill and ability to communicate effectively.

Health and Safety Responsibilities:

• Responsible to take every reasonable precaution to protect the safety of residents, self, other workers and the general public.
• Responsible to read and comply with PPSL’s and provincially mandated Occupational Health and Safety policies and safe work practices.
• Involved in all aspects of the Health and Safety Program including:
  • Uses safe work procedures
  • Promotes health and safety policies and awareness
  • Makes safety suggestions; and
  • Reads OHS minutes that are posted
• Reports any near miss, injury, and accident or equipment damage to supervisor immediately and completes required reports.
• Corrects and/or reports unsafe conditions.
• Sets a good example.

Physical Demands Analysis:
The Recreation Therapy Assistant position requires significant amount of lifting, walking, reaching, bending, pushing, kneeling and sitting throughout the day. In an average day the employee spends 2 to 6 hours standing or walking. Lifts a maximum of 50 lbs., frequent lifting and/or carrying of 10-20 lbs. Position requires occasional heavy lifting, pushing, and pulling heavy objects (moving tables and chairs)

Must be able to manage stressful work situations with dexterity.

Health and Safety Risks – Environment
Physical:    Strain on shoulder, neck and back
Environmental:    Draft, dust exposure, working alone situation, using equipment with moving parts
Chemical:    Equipment cleaners
Biological:    Exposure to communicable diseases, i.e. colds, influenza, GI.
Radiation:    Light

Please note that only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.