Come work as a Recreation Therapy Assistant with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH)!

Vancouver Coastal Health is looking for a Recreation Therapy Assistant to join the Acquired Brain Injury Transitional Housing team at George Pearson Centre in Vancouver, BC. Apply today to join our team!

A new, innovative, and exciting Recreation Therapy Assistant position! You will support a regional ABI Transitional Housing Program that has been co-designed in collaboration with specialists from across VCH, including brain injury, rehabilitation, substance use, mental health and safety. This is the first program of its kind in BC - one that provides a healing, client-driven ("meeting the client where they are at" and "nothing about me without me"), transitional location for people after their acute brain injury and hospitalization. As part of an interdisciplinary team in a community program you will care for clients throughout their stay including transitions and outreach to the community. The ABI program also emphasizes a supportive and innovative environment to learn and expand your knowledge and expertise. As the Recreation Therapy Assistant you are passionate about helping those most impacted by the housing and toxic drug supply crises and working within a team-based care environment that emphasizes trauma informed, harm reduction and culturally safe care. Be part of a new program that will provide hope at a critical moment.

As a Recreation Therapy Assistant with VCH you will:

• Function under the operational supervision of the Program Manager or Team Leader and the practice supervision and work direction of the Recreation Therapist, to carry out recreation therapy services.
• Carry out individual or group based programs based on client need both onsite and in the community.
• Program plan, demonstrate recreation activities, and carry out modifications and adaptations to recreation programs to maximize client independence and participation.
• Report relevant observations of client progress and participation to the Recreation Therapist and interdisciplinary team as appropriate.
• Provide functional direction to program volunteers.
• Possibly operate a van or bus with a passenger seating to transport clients within the community as required by the site/ program.

Education & Experience

• Completion of a recognized Therapeutic Recreation Diploma Program or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Valid Class 4 vehicle license (unrestricted).

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• General knowledge of Trauma Informed Practice, Harm Reduction approaches and Strengths-based care.
• Demonstrated ability to promote Indigenous Cultural Safety.
• Demonstrated ability to provide competent and culturally safety care with diverse populations.
• Ability to work independently and in cooperation with others.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to observe and recognize changes in clients.
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
• Ability to operate related equipment, including computer software programs.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the positon.

The hours of work including days off and work area may be subject to change consistent with operational requirements and the provision of the Collective Agreement and applicable statutes. Successful applicants may be required to complete a Criminal Records Review Check.

As per Ministry of Health policy, all health care workers working in publicly-funded health care facilities are required to report their past receipt of certain vaccines or history of certain infections. Collecting these records will allow for offering of any missing vaccines, and for appropriate actions to be taken in the event of any future exposure to a communicable disease or during outbreaks. For all new hires and appointments to Vancouver Coastal Health, you will be asked to provide this information as part of the onboarding process.

WHY JOIN VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH?

VCH is a world class innovator in medical care, research and teaching, delivering service to more than one million BC residents. At VCH, we embrace thinking boldly, taking smart risks, and "going first" when we believe it will lead to the best possible outcomes for patients and their families. We invite you to join us in creating healthy lives in healthy communities by showcasing our passion for care, connection to the communities we serve and our culture of teamwork that makes VCH a great place to work.

• Comprehensive health benefits package, including MSP, extended health and dental and municipal pension plan
• Grow your career with employer-paid training and leadership development opportunities
• Wellness supports, including counselling, critical incident and innovative wellness services are available to employees and their immediate families
• Award-winning recognition programs to honour staff, medical staff and volunteers

At Vancouver Coastal Health, our vision of healthy lives in healthy communities inspires us and our values and pillars guide us. We support equitable practices, diverse teams and inclusive environments, which are vital to creating welcoming spaces where everyone can bring their whole selves to work and feel supported. We encourage applications from equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous Peoples and members of racialized groups, people with disabilities and people of all gender identities and expressions and sexual orientation.

Vancouver Coastal Health is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers in 2024.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for this posting.


***Employees of VCH must apply online via the Internal Career Portal on CareerHub, you are currently viewing the External Career Portal. Refer to the https://my.vch.ca/working-here/job-postings site for instructions on how to view internal job postings and how to apply as an employee. Current VCH employees who apply to this posting using this external site will be considered as an external candidate. Seniority will not apply.***

Thank you for your interest in Vancouver Coastal Health.