Recreation Therapist - Inpatient Psychiatry - Mental Health and Addictions

​Req ID: 205756
Location: Western Zone, South Shore Regional Hospital  
Department: MHA WZ Inpatient Psychiatry SS
Type of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1 
CUPE Healthcare Position
Posting Closing Date: 14-Jul-25

Nova Scotia Health is the largest provider of health services in Nova Scotia, with some specialized services also offered to clients throughout Atlantic Canada. We’re on a mission to achieve excellence in health, healing, and learning through working together, which is reflected in the hospitals, health centres, and community-based programs we operate across the province. Our passionate team of professionals provides a variety of high-quality inpatient and outpatient services including academic, tertiary, and quaternary care, as well as continuing care, primary health care, public health, and mental health and addictions. Join a diverse team of innovators, collaborators, and creative thinkers today.

Nova Scotia Health employs professionals in all corners of our beautiful province. We believe there's a place here for everyone to call home, from vibrant cities with exuberant nightlife to quaint towns with picturesque trails. The work-life balance that comes with a Nova Scotia Health role means you'll have the time to explore, discover, and participate in that coveted Atlantic lifestyle. Visit us today and check out www.novascotia.com to see why more people from across the globe are moving here.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Inpatient Psychiatry, Mental Health & Addictions, the Recreation Therapist provides a diverse range of interventions to clients and their families enabling them to achieve their optimal level of functioning and health.  The Recreation Therapist utilizes therapeutic intervention comprised of treatment, leisure education and recreation participation to promote physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of clients. As an integral member of the multidisciplinary team, the primary role of the Recreation Therapist is to provide assessment and treatment plans for leisure opportunities and resources and works with outpatient day treatment programming consistent with the day hospital model.  The successful candidate would be involved in quality improvement and evaluation activities to support continuous improvements in the provision of Therapeutic Recreation Services as well as the interprofessional team functioning for excellence in client care. 

It is an expectation that the Recreation Therapist will act in a professional and ethical manner, following all guidelines relevant to clinical practice and profession. They will convey respect and a solid understanding of subtle and complex diversity and inclusion as they relate to specific groups. 

About You

We would love to hear from you if you have the following:
 

• Baccalaureate degree in Recreation or Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation
• Certified as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with NCTRC
• Experience in working with various populations/disability groups preferred
• Knowledge of leisure/recreation assessments
• Knowledge of leisure education and leisure counseling processes
• Knowledge of various health conditions and their impact on health and well being
• Effective counseling and verbal/written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities and work independently
• Demonstrated ability to establish and promote good interpersonal relationships
• Demonstrated ability to select suitable activities
• Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred

 Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.

Hours

• Permanent, full-time position; 75 hours bi-weekly

Compensation and Benefits

$35.83 - $46.37 Hourly

Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan. 

Once You've Applied