Recreation Therapist – Forensic Psychiatry Program

Job title: Recreation Therapist – Forensic Psychiatry Program

Company: St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton

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:

• Graduate of an accredited Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation & Leisure or Recreation Therapy program at the University or College level or Post-Graduate Certificate with a specialization in Therapeutic Recreation course content required.
• Minimum of Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (TRO) Professional Member in good standing, actively working toward a registration designation for R/TRO or R/TRO DIP
• Current designation of R/TRO, R/TRO DIP and/or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is preferred
• 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 working towards TRO registration required
• 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.

HOURS OF WORK:
May involve rotating shifts (days/evenings/weekends) and extended hours based on the needs of the clients and/or Forensic Psychiatry Program.

Expected salary:

Location: Hamilton, ON

Job date: Wed, 31 Jul 2024 06:28:43 GMT

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