Recreation Therapist Assistant

DEPARTMENT: Therapy DepartmentJOB TITLE: Recreation Therapy AssistantREPORTS TO: Recreation Manager and Recreation TherapistsEducational 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 programsComputer knowledge required.Food safe certificateResponsibilities 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 residents 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 residentsSupports 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 PPLExcellent 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 proceduresPromotes health and safety policies and awarenessMakes safety suggestions;Reads OHS minutes that are postedReports 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 through out 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 – EnvironmentPhysical: Strain on shoulder, neck and backEnvironmental: Draft, dust exposure, working alone situation, using equipment with moving partsChemical: Equipment cleanersBiological: Exposure to communicable diseases, i.e. colds, influenza, GI.Radiation: Light #J-18808-Ljbffr