Come work as a Recreation Therapist with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) at Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre in Vancouver, BC. Apply now to join the team!

Within the context of a dynamic patient/client/resident and family-centred care model, and in accordance with established standards of professional practice, and the vision and values of the organization, works in a team-based environment and provides therapeutic recreation/leisure interventions to designated patient/clients/residents. Participates as a member of an integrated collaborative health care team by assessing the patient’s/client’s/resident’s recreation and leisure needs, abilities and interests, maintaining a variety of records, planning and implementing therapeutic recreation care plans, evaluating the effectiveness of the intervention and communicating with the patient/client/resident/family and health care team members. Contributes to the organization and delivery of Recreation Therapy services and participates in designated quality assurance initiatives, meetings, research and education, as required.

About the Services at Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre - Mental Health & Substance Use Inpatient Units

The Segal Psychiatric Inpatient Units are located on Levels 5 to 8 in the Joseph & Rosalie Segal & Family Health Centre at Vancouver General Hospital. Psychiatric inpatient services provide assessment and treatment to adults who require acute 24-hour management in a hospital setting. There are 75 beds focused on clients who require longer-term, intensive treatment to return to their community. The length of stay is approximately five to 12 days.

The Segal Psychiatric Inpatient Units include:

• Brief Intervention Unit – Segal 5th floor
• Mood Disorders – Segal 6th floor
• Inpatient Psychiatry – Segal 7th floor
• Inpatient Psychiatry & Concurrent Disorders – Segal 8th floor

Education & Experience

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential and successful completion of the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) exam.
• Baccalaureate in Therapeutic Recreation or Leisure Studies from an accredited university.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Emergency First Aid.
• Valid Class IV Driver's License.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Basic knowledge of recreation therapy theory and practice within a rehabilitation and/or patient/client/resident/family centred model of care.
• Basic knowledge of evidence-based clinical practice related to designated clinical area.
• Basic knowledge of research process and methodology.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in client care.
• Demonstrated ability to function as a team member.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and empower clients to assume control over their health.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with co-workers and clients both one-on-one and in-groups.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective consultation.
• Demonstrated ability to establish workload priorities in collaboration with others in a complex health care environment.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize when referral to another health care professional as required.
• Skills in the use of equipment, and in the techniques appropriate to recreation therapy treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively utilize related computer information systems, applications, technology, and equipment.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.

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
• Access to exclusive discount offers and deals for VCH staff

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, BC’s Top Employers, Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and Canada's Top Employers for Young People in 2026.

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.