In accordance with the Purpose, Vision, Values and Coast Salish Teachings, and strategic direction of PHSA, safety, including both patient and employee safety, is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA. As such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.

The Recreation Therapist, Maximum and Multi-Level Security Units reports operationally to the Clinical Services Manager and works under the practice general supervision of the Supervisor, Recreation Therapy for general discipline practice, and works as part of an interdisciplinary team within an evidence based Trauma-Informed and culturally safe model of care. Using the continuum model of therapeutic recreation and ensuring the three domains of services (rehabilitation, leisure education and recreation) are addressed, the Recreational Therapist plans, develops, and implements comprehensive, group and individual programs to fit the specific needs of forensic patients who have complex mental health illnesses and may have co-occurring addictions and medical conditions. The role implements quality improvement processes to achieve and maintain standards of practice to and deliver safe, high quality recreation therapy programming; and uses evidence-based therapeutic interventions to improve the patients’ ability to understand and manage psychiatric and behavioural problems.

1. Assesses patient’s current level of recreation functioning and determines the requirements for programming through methods such as selecting and/or developing appropriate assessment tools; interviewing and assessing patients, reviewing the health record, using input from other health care professionals, considering available history and leisure analysis; determining strengths, functioning level and potential; analyzing the therapeutic needs of the patient; and attending and consulting with other members of the interdisciplinary team at Treatment Planning Conferences in order to receive and provide Information for the assessment.

2. Plans, develops and arranges both on a short and long-term basis, individual and group therapeutic recreation program and services by methods such as translating therapeutic recreation plans into action plans defining objectives and strategies for intervention by the interdisciplinary team and other individuals; contacting services and resources in the community; enrolling patients in programs and/or arranging in-services; ensuring patients have proper equipment and supplies; arranging transportation when required; ensuring recreation programs and services are regularly scheduled; coordinating programs in conjunction with dietary, nursing and other disciplines; and reviewing, adapting and documenting changes in recreation plans to reflect patients’ progress.

3. Implements safe and secure recreation therapy services for patients and staff by methods such as ensuring patients have the necessary security clearance to attend designated programs and escorting patients who do not have grounds clearance; taking attendance and immediately initiating appropriate security procedures if a discrepancy is discovered; checking that all equipment, tools, materials and chemicals used in the program are accounted for; observing patient behaviour and noting any patient behavioural changes which may be of a safety or security concern and immediately initiating appropriate security and reporting procedures; reviewing patient progress and modifying recreation care plans as required; supporting and assisting in patient intervention procedures; evaluating recreation programs and making changes as indicated; and ensuring that the facility and equipment do not become a security risk when working with maximum security patients.

4. Maintains and reports on comprehensive patient assessment and progress records related to recreation therapy as per Forensic Psychiatric Services (FPS) policy, discipline standards and guidelines by methods such as writing concise and accurate assessment and treatment reports on patient case load to the Case Managers for the B.C. Board of Review; ensuring documentation is complete and up-to-date and providing evidence and rationale to support findings; appearing before the B.C. Board of Review to respond to inquiries concerning patient progress when required; and reporting concerns and issues to the Recreation Therapy Supervisor and/or Clinical Services Manager as required.

5. Participates in community meetings and collaborates with others on recreation therapy treatment by methods such as attending ward community meetings, liaising on a regular basis with nursing staff in regards to treatment, security and safety issues for patients; providing feedback on when it is safe and appropriate to integrate community resources into the program for normalization; and contacting community resources necessary to the operation and/or enhancement of the Recreation Therapy Services.

6. Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team by attending treatment planning conferences for patient case load, weekly case management and staff meetings; reviewing, evaluating, monitoring and modifying the therapeutic recreation program component of the treatment plan; observing, interpreting, and reporting regularly (both verbally and in writing) on the progress of individual patients involved, and making recommendations concerning patient progress to other health care professionals.

7. Develops, in conjunction with the patient, a comprehensive discharge/transition plan, including relevant discharge/transition documentation such as progress notes, current leisure assessment and recommendations; provides consultative services for patients after discharge.

8. Assists the Supervisor Recreation Therapy and/or Clinical Services Manager in developing annual and/or project-specific budgets through methods such as preparing budget proposals, gathering information about potential suppliers and materials costs, and providing general input for departmental budget submissions.  Monitors expenditures for supplies, day-to-day patient activities and equipment, and maintains maintenance of the work area and equipment, arranging repairs as needed.  Requisitions supplies and equipment; prepares annual inventory.

9. Recruits, screens, trains and supervises patient workers, and provides work direction to assigned Activity Workers or other staff in order to carry out planned programs.  Orients new staff and supervises practicum students.

10. Promotes recreation therapy services by methods such as preparing and participating in presentations to educate interdisciplinary team members; advocating for the rights to main-streaming, normalization and recreation services internal and external to the hospital; writing monthly reports on publicized events; and coordinating special and seasonal events both internal and external to the hospital.

11. Maintains and updates knowledge in recreation therapy by methods such as reviewing relevant literature, evaluating clinical practice, and participating in professional development and revision of standards to improve care through the introduction of new practices; and actively contributes to the ongoing development of rehabilitation programs and services at FPH by actively participating as a member of the Rehabilitation Services Team

12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Education, Training and Experience:

• Diploma in Recreation Therapy from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Two (2) years recent related experience working in a psychiatric setting with individuals who have complex mental health and addictions issues or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Eligible for membership in the British Columbia Therapeutic Recreation Association.
• Valid BC Drivers License.  Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.

Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of recreation therapy theory and practice within an evidence-based, patient and family-centered, psychosocial rehabilitation model of care.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in patient care.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, lead and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs and to coach patients and co-workers both one-on-one and in groups.  
• Demonstrated ability to apply psychosocial rehabilitation techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and supervise patients while empowering them to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with patients and their families, colleagues, physicians, other health care staff, community service providers and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and accurately document patient information on the health record and to prepare treatment plans, progress notes and evaluation reports
• Demonstrated ability to assess patients’ responses to care and to respond appropriately.
• Demonstrated listening and information seeking skills that promote communication and lead to a co-operative approach to problem solving within an interdisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve, adjust to new or unexpected events, and to deal effectively with conflict situations.
• Demonstrated ability to consult effectively with others.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional is required.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Skilled in the use of equipment and in the techniques appropriate for recreation therapy.
• Basic computer literacy to operate a computerized patient care information system and word processing, spreadsheet, Internet and e-mail software.