Recreation Therapist - Forensic

Position Details

Job Number:

JR02645

Department:

Forensic Recreation Therapy

This position may be scheduled at any of the following sites:

West 5th Campus (Hamilton Mountain)

Job Type:

Regular, Full time

Contract Duration: (If applicable)

0 months

Number of Positions:

1

Union:

OPSEU Local 206

Hourly Rate (Min / Max):

$35.8 - $43.59

Schedule

Work Days:

, Alternate Weekends, Monday to Sunday

Time of Day:

Days, Evenings

Shift:

Hours -12, Hours - 8

Shift Start: (If applicable)

Reason for Posting:

Posting is for a role with an existing vacancy

Application Dates

Opening Date:

2026-11-10

Closing Date:

2026-11-17

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:
•Therapeutic Recreation Specialized Degree, or Post Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Recreation following TR related degree, or Therapeutic Recreation College Diploma
•Current/Maintained designation of registration with Therapeutic Recreation Ontario (R/TRO) and/or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) designation through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
•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 maintained annually.
•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.

St. Joseph’s Health System (SJHS) and its member organizations are equal opportunity employers and strives for equity, inclusiveness, and diversity in all programs, practices, facilities, and people. We foster a culture of patient and staff safety where all positions comply and work in conjunction with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. SJHS and its member organizations are committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process - please inform us should accommodation be required at any point in the recruitment process (recruit@stjoes.ca).