Recreation Therapist and Coordinator
For over 35 years, The Safehaven Project for Community Living has been providing exceptional care to children with developmental disabilities and complex care needs.
Our mission is to provide high-quality, family-centered, and community-based residential and respite care for individuals with complex care needs.
Safehaven serves individuals with disabilities and their families, through respite and residential programs at our Toronto, Etobicoke, North York, Woodbridge, and Aurora facilities, as well as client homes.
_ Our Future_
At Safehaven, we are constantly striving to better serve our clients and communities that need us most. That’s why we are currently exploring opportunities to expand our service offerings beyond children to include adults, developing programs and services to care for more medically complex individuals, and implementing innovative therapy and recreational programs for our existing and future clients.
In order for Safehaven to achieve our goals, we are looking for exceptional people with huge hearts who are motivated by positively impacting the lives of others and believe in our vision of creating a more inclusive world for people with complex care needs.
Whether you are working in one of our locations, or in a client’s home, you will have the opportunity to make a real difference and improve the lives of clients and their families in our communities. You will be part of an outstanding team that is so passionate about the work we do.
ROLE SUMMARY:
The Safehaven Project for Community Living (Safehaven) is a registered charity that provides residential Transitional and respite care to children and adults with complex medical needs.
The Recreation and Leisure Coordinator supports our clients with complex medical needs in the Greater Toronto Area by providing recreational and leisure activities. The goals of any activity are to develop the skills and abilities of the clients, including but not limited to: fine and gross motor skills, sensory stimulation, communication/language skills and social interaction.
Reporting to the location Client Care Coordinator; the Recreation and Leisure Coordinator works as a part of a multi-disciplinary team including Registered Practical Nurses, the Director, Clinical Operations, and the Safehaven leadership team to ensure the highest quality of care and service delivery to the Safehaven’s clients.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assume responsibility and accountability for the provision of client care utilizing current therapeutic recreation theory, best practices, and the principles of client- and family-centered care, in accordance with TRO standards of practice.
- Comply with regulations, values, ethics, and standards as specified by TRO.
- Identify and develop recreation and leisure activities for clients, including, but not limited to Games, Play, Baking, Arts & Crafts, and Community Outings.
- Develop Recreation Goals with clients and families which enhance quality of life.
- Lead in removing barriers to participation in community events.
- Participate in team meetings.
- Develop group activities and one on one sessions as needed.
- Accompany clients to therapeutic and recreational appointments as requested by the Client Care Coordinator/designate.
- Cooperate with all employees in establishing a supportive working environment in the residential setting.
- Maintain documentation within the client chart.
- Follow all policies and procedures, established by the organization as they pertain to the operation of a residence, and the health, safety and welfare of clients in care. Follow all policies and procedures established by the organization as they pertain to employee conduct and performance, and health and safety.
- Provide the highest level of care and improve the lives of clients and their families.
- Respond respectfully and effectively to people of all cultures, classes, races, ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation and faiths and religions in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families and communities.
- Uphold a high standard of proper conduct and professionalism.
- Cooperate in maintaining complete and confidential case records for each client in care.
- Report risk and safety concerns to the location Client Care Coordinator.
- Other duties may assigned according to the needs of the business/ organization
- Contribute to the development of the client plan of care based on client/family concerns, needs, goals and therapeutic recreation assessment.
- Monitor and document client’s progress in TR interventions.
- Maintain an accurate client attendance record for groups and individual programs.
- Contribute to the evaluation of the client’s plan of care in collaboration with the client/family and members of the interdisciplinary team.
- Actively participate in client/family, team care conferences as appropriate.
- Apply critical thinking and leadership skills to enhance problem solving and decision making.
- Demonstrate conflict management skills and seek to resolve situations requiring resolution.
- Prepare and distribute the therapeutic recreation monthly activity calendar.
- Develop and maintain a community resource list for special programs and services.
- Maintain workload statistical data as required.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist preferred or Certificate in Recreation Therapy.
- Experience working with, or desire to work with children, youth and adults in a Developmental Services environment.
- Previous experience working with children and adolescents with complex medical needs an asset.
- Must be flexible with work hours and ability to work weekends or evenings as required.
- Strong planning and budgeting skills to draft and maintain a summer schedule with all planned activities and fall-back activities depending on the weather, etc.
- University or Post graduate College degree in Therapeutic Recreation.
- Registered Recreation Therapist and member of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (RTRO) and/or Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA).
- Proven ability to function effectively as a team member.
- Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Exceptional attendance record.
- Working knowledge of applicable computer software.
- Current Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Saving course.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- At anytime, Safehaven may need to move staff to other locations based on operational needs.
We thank all interested candidates for applying. Successful candidates will be contacted to participate in the interview process.
Safehaven is committed to a respectful, inclusive, equitable, accessible, and anti-racist workplace. We value diverse perspectives and believe they are essential to delivering high-quality, safe, and person-centered services. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and AODA.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Dental care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- RRSP match
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Application question(s):
- Are you a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Therapist or have a certificate in Recreation Therapy?
- Do you have a university or post graduate College degree in Therapeutic Recreation?
- Do you have access to your own vehicle and a valid G/G2 License? At any time, Safehaven may need to move staff to other locations based on operational needs.
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)
Licence/Certification:
- RTRO or CTRA (required)
- Basic Cardiopulmonary Life Saving course (required)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
