Recreation Therapist - BSO

St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre is the largest Long-Term Care Facility in Brantford and Brant County with 205 beds and is focused on providing high-quality care to our residents. We are seeking a compassionate and enthusiastic Recreation Therapist (BSO) to join our organization that shares in our Mission, Vision, and Values. The Recreation Therapist (BSO) will be an integral member of a collaborative and inter-disciplinary team focused on delivering exemplary care to our residents.

Purpose of the role: The Recreation Therapist (BSO) works collaboratively with the multi-disciplinary team to enhance the positive impact and use of the BSO Program to assist in preventing and addressing predictable responsive behaviours through therapeutic programming.

This position collaborates with frontline staff to obtain the most current condition and patterns of residents to assess the source of behaviours and work together with them to determine appropriate personalized approaches.

This position works with the Life Enrichment Manager to develop resident-specific care plans to further assist in those residents exhibiting responsive behaviours/or at risk.

The Recreation Therapist (BSO) is also a member of the Recreation Team and works within the team to identify learning needs and assists the Life Enrichment Manager in planning for appropriate education and continuing team member development.

This position demonstrates a resident-family-care partner focus and commitment to the Mission, Vision, Values and goals of BSO and respective partner agencies, while utilizing standardized tools in the areas of assessment, implementation and evaluation of residents needs and programming performance.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES & SUCCESS CRITERIA:

• Work within their scope of practice in collaboration with all necessary departments to find the best possible quality, person-centered care solutions for the resident/family founded on interest, need and ability in accordance with the home’s policies, primary care, clinical teams and overall plan of care.
• Participate with frontline staff, families, BSO team and external providers, where necessary in the assessment and evaluation process to help determine the best person-centered care approach for individual residents.
• Conduct and/or contribute to a thorough assessment and recommend, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions and approaches.
• Utilize standardized tools in the areas of assessment, implementation and evaluation of resident’s needs and programming performance.
• Provide recreation therapy activities including outings in accordance with the home’s policy, physician’s orders, and resident care plan.
• If new residents have documented behaviours, will help determine and communicate a plan with appropriate care providers for a smooth transition into the home.
• Collaborate with the Life Enrichment Manager to assist with transitional care practices within health care system (i.e. home, long-term care, and/or hospital treatment settings) to support a successful resident and family transition.
• Develop resident-specific care plans to further assist in those residents exhibiting responsive behaviours/or at risk residents.
• Promote activities of the department to residents, team members, families, and volunteers to encourage participation in programs.
• Work with the Life Enrichment Manager to ensure that thorough program evaluation is consistently being completed to ensure the effectiveness of recreation services.
• Provide feedback to recreation therapy assistants to ensure proper documentation is completed (e.g., MDS/RAI, Activity Pro).
• Observe facilitation of activities, engage in reflective practice to ensure appropriate and thorough programming is taking place.
• Responsible for maintaining accurate and complete records of care delivered, including program development and program delivery.
• Maintain timely, accurate and complete records in accordance with the College of Therapeutic Recreation of Ontario’s guidelines or other relevant regulatory bodies.
• Support the development, implementation and evaluation of quality improvement programs.
• Lead, facilitate and participate in local in-service programs, seminars, resident care conferences and workshops including mandatory participation in BSO Network functions.
• Submit BSO indicators to the BSO Strategic Lead for applicable region quarterly and/or at identified intervals.
• Submit data in accordance with the home’s policies regarding resident information and other relevant data for accurate CQI.
• Enhance the positive impact and use of the BSO Program with interdisciplinary team members to assist in preventing and addressing predictable responsive behaviours through therapeutic programming.
• Perform intentional and spontaneous interventions directly with residents on all home areas, assisting staff with methods and activities to safely accommodate responsive behaviours in a way that allows residents’ meaningful engagement.
• Be visible and present on the home areas to assist staff with pre-determined or spontaneous activities, programs and interventions based on the BSO caseload and those residents’ experiencing boredom, loneliness and helplessness based on BSO principles and best practices.
• Implement evidence-based best practices in treating dementia, delirium, mental health issues, neurological conditions and/or substance use. Has awareness of the effect these issues have on persons, families and caregivers.
• Facilitate coaching, consultation, education and knowledge transfer as well as supporting the resident and family by applying evidence-based learning delivering inter-professional mentoring designed to enhance care and capacity.
• Collaborate with frontline staff to obtain the most current condition and patterns of residents to assess the source of behaviours and work together with them to determine appropriate personalized approaches.
• Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to gain current and specialized information regarding each resident, develop care approaches, and access available resources.
• Respectfully communicate any information regarding a variety of interventions including behavioural patterns, timing, and individual interventions.
• Report any issues or concerns with staff behaviours regarding BSO interventions and interactions to appropriate leadership team member.
• Actively participate in Recreation Department meetings, team/committee meetings, organizational objectives, special events and other as required.
• Demonstrate resident-family-care partner focus and commitment to the Mission, Vision, Values and goals of BSO and respective partner agencies.
• Enhance the positive impact and spread of BSO (1:1 and group) therapeutic modalities to address and prevent responsive behaviours, while adapting to individual changing needs.
• Promote brain health through engagement activities tailored to maintaining skills and abilities and focused on validation, individual success, and social stimulation.
• Create and nurture continuous improvement of Behavioural Support and organizational practices for improved system co-ordination.
• Support the spread of improvement practices with internal team members (e.g. activation and restorative teams) regarding overall prevention of responsive behaviours through therapeutic programming.
• Collaborate with community Integrated Response Teams when appropriate.
• Other
• • Participates in supervision with the Manager of Resident Services or designate.
  • Represents the home in the community as assigned.
  • Participates in organizational committees and task forces as requested.
  • Complies with organizational Policies and Procedures.
  • Complies with the duties imposed by law or contract and the policies and procedures for performing the job in a safe and healthy manner.
  • Takes an active role in promoting and protecting personal health and safety and the health and safety of others, both staff and consumers. (Sec.28(1)OHSA)
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • Functions and duties of this role are in collaboration with the IPAC Manager.

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Therapeutic Recreation diploma and/or postgraduate diploma.
• Membership in good standing with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) and/or with Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA). Relevant clinical experience (3-5 years as a Recreational Therapist) working with older adults and care partners in long-term care and community settings.
• Experience working within an interprofessional team model. Demonstrates effective leadership, communication, and problem-solving abilities.
• Demonstrates extensive knowledge working with individuals with various forms of dementia, delirium, complex mental health, substance use, other neurological conditions, including those with or at risk of responsive behaviours and the effects on care partners.
• Experience with electronic documentation, specifically the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) documentation, including assessments, Resident Assessment Protocols (RAPS) and care planning functions.
• Possesses the BSO Core Competencies of Person and Family-Centred Care, Knowledge and Assessment, Care Approaches and Capacity Building.
• Knowledge and familiarity with recent research and best practices for our patient population and ability to apply this knowledge.
• Knowledge and understanding of all pertinent legislation and policies, including the Long-Term Care (LTC) Homes Act, the Personal Health Information and Protection Act (PHIPA, 2004), the Mental Health Act and other pertinent legislation.
• Knowledge of internal and external community resources.
• Ability to work in COVID-19 environment, and the need to be flexible with hours if required.
• Gentle Persuasive Approaches (GPA) basics training required; GPA Coach status is an asset.
• P.I.E.C.E.S.TM and/or U-FIRST! required.
• Montessori Methods or Dementiability Methods for Dementia Care is an asset.
• Mental Health First Aid for Seniors Training is an asset.
• Indigenous Cultural Competency Training or equivalent training is an asset.
• Teepa Snow “Positive Approach to Care” Training an asset.
• Experience implementing quality improvement initiatives (e.g. Residents First Training).

WHAT WE OFFER:

• Enrolment in Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
• 100% Employer-Paid Benefits
• Free Parking
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee Discount Program

St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford recognizes the importance of immunization to protect our residents, staff, and others from COVID-19. As such, subject to any verified medical exemption or accommodation required by applicable human rights legislation, it will be a condition of employment that all new hires have received all required doses of a COVID-19 vaccine approved by Health Canada.

St. Joseph's Lifecare Centre appreciates all responses. However, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford is an equal opportunity employer and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, facilities, and people. St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre Brantford is committed to creating a barrier-free, accessible organization, utilizing a collaborative approach in supporting persons with disabilities during the recruitment, assessment, selection, hiring, and the ongoing employment life cycle. Upon individual request, the Health Centre will endeavor to remove any barrier to the employment lifecycle to accommodate those employees with disabilities. Should any employee require accommodation through the employment lifecycle, please contact Human Resources.