Job Description

Recreation Therapist

Mission: Reporting to the Executive Director, the Recreation Therapist is accountable to provide comprehensive recreation services for residents. These resident focused interventions are designed and developed to enhance lives and maximize Extendicare Residents’ wellness. Residents are engaged and stimulated in all dimensions of wellness in compliance with regulatory, legislative and organizational standards.

Key Responsibilities:
• Provides day to day coordination of the therapeutic recreation services, as directed by the Director of Recreation
• Responsible for ensuring completion of the initial and ongoing Therapeutic Recreation Assessments for DAL residents (and PAL if requested by the AHS);
• To ensure the quality of recreation, wellness and leisure services in compliance with professional, regulatory, legislative and / or organizational standards
• To plan, develop and facilitate meaningful resident centric recreation programs in collaboration with the Director of Recreation
• Provides therapeutic recreation services in the area of functional intervention, leisure education and recreation participation
• To ensure residents are aware of recreation / leisure opportunities available to them by creating and distributing monthly recreation calendars
• To ensure that the Recreation department is compliant with regulatory and / or organizational standards
• To promote Resident autonomy, independence and advocacy, including Residents’ rights and a culture of non-abuse
• To escalate resident or family complaints to the Executive Director if beyond the scope of Director Recreation
• To provide or participate in residence tours with prospective Residents, clients or families and ensure appropriate recreation, wellness and leisure information is provide
• To ensure Resident records are current, and maintained in accordance with policies, practices and standards
• To uphold and promote the organization’s values and philosophy relating particularly to ethics, morality, and integrity as set out in Extendicare’s Code of Conduct
•Supports AHS Standards and Extendicare Inc. policies;
• To complete all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:
• A bachelor’s degree or community college diploma in Recreation Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Kinesiology, Gerontology, Recreation and Leisure Studies or related field
• A current membership with the applicable professional body and competency to perform skills within their scope of practice (i.e.: Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association [CTRA])
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience working with seniors, particularly in Assisted Living and/or Long Term Care;
• Certification in specific wellness related interventions (i.e. Seniors Fitness, Montessori-based Dementia Programming, Seniors Aqua fitness, etc.) would be considered an asset
• Experience in conducting assessments and building programs to reflect resident needs.
• Effective oral and written communication skills to respectfully and compassionately work with older adults and their families
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and electronic health records
• Organizational skills, creativity and high motivation are required;
• Current CPR / First Aid Certification;
• Current (within 6 months) Vulnerable Position/Sector Screening (VPS).

What Extendicare has to offer:
At Extendicare, we believe that working as a team creates an environment that allows us to reach our potential. We value each employee, encourage equal opportunity for growth and recognize achievement. As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
• Continuous mentorship, support for life-long learning and growth opportunities
• Opportunities for advancement and career growth within the organization
• A rewarding and meaningful work experience where you can enrich your life and the lives of others through your work.
• Employee Family Assistance Program.
• Robust benefits package.

Extendicare is a leading provider of care and services for seniors across Canada, operating under the Extendicare, ParaMed, Extendicare Assist, and SGP Purchasing Network brands. We are committed to delivering quality care to meet the needs of a growing seniors’ population, inspired by our mission to provide people with the care they need, wherever they call home. We operate a network of long-term care homes (both owned and under management contracts), deliver over 11 million hours of home health care services annually, and provide group purchasing services to third parties representing approximately 150,000 beds across Canada. Extendicare proudly employs nearly 30,000 qualified, highly
trained and dedicated team members who are passionate about providing high-quality care and services to help people live better.

Time Type:

At Extendicare, we’ve spent more than 50 years dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in our long-term care homes across Canada. When you join Extendicare, you become part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to creating a safe, supportive, and enriching environment for every resident we serve.​

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We provide competitive compensation that reflects the value of this role and the unique qualifications each candidate brings. Final salary offers are based on a variety of factors such as your skills, experience, education, and alignment with the responsibilities of this position.

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Base salary is one component of our broader total rewards package. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support your health, financial well-being, and long-term career growth. Your recruiter can provide more details about our total rewards offerings during the hiring process.​

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We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain stages of the recruitment process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing candidate responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment — every application is reviewed by a member of our team to ensure thoughtful and equitable consideration. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.​

Extendicare is an equal opportunity employer committed to respectful and inclusive hiring practices. We welcome all applicants, including those from equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous peoples, women, people with disabilities, and visible minorities.

Extendicare is committed to fostering an accessible, inclusive, and equitable hiring process. We will gladly accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process upon request and in accordance with applicable legislation. If you require support during any stage of the process, email us at [email protected].

We acknowledge that the care we provide across Canada occurs on lands that have been cared for by many Indigenous peoples for generations. We recognize First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples and their enduring connection to this land, and the importance of respect and cultural safety in the work we do.