Therapy Assistant

Reporting to the Care Manager and the Recreation Therapist, the Recreation Therapy Assistant working in Airdrie and Didsbury will contribute to the effective and efficient operation of the Adult Day Program, including functional and goal orientated services to clients, families and groups. Key responsibilities include: Screening clients using established protocols for their suitability in the Adult Day program. Assists in developing, scheduling, planning, implementing and evaluation of the program. Contributing to the development and modification of the client’s care plan. Uses available resources to and contributes to the enhancement of the program/service delivery. Recognizes and takes opportunities to build on client’s personal strengths and environmental strengths to support function and success in achieving the client’s therapeutic goals. Promotes client’s independence in daily living activities and motivates client’s to actively participate in designated therapy programs. Observes and understands the causes of behaviour and modifies approach to enhance successful interactions. Assigns duties and functions to the Therapy Aide and HCA’s in the program. Gathers and maintains statistical information/data required for program evaluation.

As a Therapy Assistant, you will work both individually and as part of an interprofessional team under the assignment, monitoring and evaluation of an audiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, recreation therapist or speech-language pathologist. You will contribute to effective and efficient rehabilitation services including direct and indirect client care across the health care continuum (healthy living, getting better, living with illness and disability, end of life care) for all ages as well as non-client service provision. This role will require you to work effectively with internal and external partners, and display professionalism and strong ethics in both client centered care and participation in care teams. You will demonstrate evidence of reflective thinking and lifelong learning that enhances individual and team competency. You will have opportunities to use your interpersonal and clinical skills in contributing to quality improvement, program planning and student supervision.

Completion of diploma from an accredited post-secondary rehabilitation Therapy Assistant program or equivalent training may be considered.

Diploma from an approved post-secondary Therapist Assistant or Therapeutic Recreation program required. 2-5 years' experience working in a recreation environment. Previous experience working with seniors. Previous experience leading groups and group activities. Previous leadership/supervisory experience. Excellent communication skills. Creative, self-motivated and enthusiastic individual with a passion for working with seniors.

Previous experience working in an Adult Day Program. Previous experience working in a community recreation program. Program development skills. Computer skills.