Therapeutic Recreation Specialized Degree or equivalent diploma in Therapeutic Recreation.
Current registration with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO) or CTRS designation.
First Aid, CPR, CPI, and Gentle Persuasive Approach training required.
One year of clinical experience in Therapeutic Recreation with a mental health or forensic psychiatry population preferred.
Knowledge and sensitivity in caring for seniors and their families.
Familiarity with forensic psychiatry client population and relevant treatment medications.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Responsibilities
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate recreation and leisure programs for patients.
Utilize the Leisure Ability Model to guide therapeutic recreation practices.
Provide holistic interventions to help patients achieve optimal functioning in recreation and leisure.
Collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to enhance patient care.
Document assessments and treatment plans effectively using computer skills.
Act as a preceptor for students and mentor volunteers in the program.
Engage in non-direct client activities to support overall program goals.
Benefits
Access to ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
Supportive multi-disciplinary team environment.
Opportunity to work with a diverse client population.
Flexible scheduling with alternate weekends and varied shifts.
Engagement in meaningful work that contributes to patient rehabilitation.
Full Job Description
Position Details
Job Number: JR02645
Department: Forensic Recreation Therapy
This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites: West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)
Job Type: Regular, Full time
Contract Duration: (If applicable) 0 months
Number of Positions: 1
Union: OPSEU Local 206
Hourly Rate (Min / Max): $35.8 - $43.59
Schedule
Work Days: , Alternate Weekends, Monday to Sunday
Time of Day: Days, Evenings
Shift: Hours -12, Hours - 8
Shift Start: (If applicable)
Reason for Posting: Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy
Application Dates
Opening Date: 2026-11-10
Closing Date: 2026-11-17
Job Description
Unit Profile: The Forensic Psychiatry Program work towards restoring and maintaining the mental health and well-being of mentally disordered adult offenders while managing risk as mandated by the Criminal Code of Canada and ordered by the Ontario Review Board. This multi-disciplinary team includes nursing and allied health professionals working together to provide a wide range of assessment treatment and rehabilitation services. In this capacity the Forensic Psychiatry Program provides: clinical risk and medico-legal assessments inpatient treatments in General and Secure environments and outpatient treatment and community reintegration services/support for the Central-South region and Halton.
Position Summary: The clinical role of the Recreation Therapist is to assess plan implement and evaluate recreation and leisure programs and services relative to the identified needs of patients. Therapeutic Recreation (TR) practice at SJHH is guided by the Leisure Ability Model (Peterson Gunn Stumbo). TR utilizes functional intervention leisure education and recreation participation in a holistic approach to enable persons with physical cognitive emotional spiritual and/or social limitations to acquire and/or maintain the skills knowledge and behaviours that will allow them to reach their optimal level of functioning for recreation and leisure. The major functions of a Recreation Therapist are directly related to the adopted Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. The Recreation Therapist is also responsible for non-direct client activities.
Qualifications: • Therapeutic Recreation Specialized Degree, or Post Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation following TR related degree, or Therapeutic Recreation College Diploma • Current/Maintained designation of registration with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO) and/or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification • First Aid CPR CPI Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Gentle Persuasive Approach (GPA) and/or CTI Community Worker Safety Strategies as relevant to the client population and clinical setting required • TRO member in good standing and maintained annually. • One year recent related clinical experience in Therapeutic Recreation with a Mental Health/Forensic Psychiatry client population and clinical setting preferred • Demonstrated knowledge sensitivity and expertise in the care of seniors and their families • Gentle Persuasive Approach training is preferred • Demonstrated knowledge and experience working with a forensic psychiatry client population. • Knowledge of diagnosis specific to the client population and clinical setting • Familiarity with treatment medications and awareness of possible side effects relevant to client population which may impact Therapeutic Recreation interventions • Working familiarity of the provincial and federal legislation relevant to the client population and clinical setting • Demonstrated knowledge and ability to implement best practice strategies relevant to client population and clinical setting • Strong working knowledge of specific models of care related to population served and clinical setting • Effective interpersonal skills rapport building verbal and written communication skills for daily client and working relationships • Able to work under pressure prioritize workload and meet deadlines • Ability to work as an effective member of a multi-disciplinary team • Adaptable creative innovative and flexible • Willingness and ability to continue to improve professional competence and knowledge • Critical thinking skills for developing individualized treatment plans resourcing group and individual interventions • Proficient computer skills for report writing assessments etc. • Acts as a preceptor to students and provides guidance and leadership to volunteers
Forensic Psychiatry Program-specific Qualifications: • Evidence of understanding of the Criminal Code of Canada as it pertains to mentally disordered individuals. • Demonstrated familiarity and understanding of Forensic specific Risk Assessment tools (ie. HARM/AIS). • Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of custody and caring in the clinical care of mentally disordered individuals.
