Clinical Service Leader - Therapeutic Recreation

Position Overview

Under the direction of the Manager (or Designate), the incumbent is responsible for:

1. Overseeing the daily clinical service delivery and environment/operational issues in a designated service area to ensure optimum client care in a safe therapeutic environment.
2. Providing guidance to Therapeutic Recreation Coordinators, Mental Health Rehabilitation Workers, Recreation Students and/or Volunteers within the designated service area through clinical leadership, mentoring, supervision, education, evaluation and research.
3. Contributing to the delivery of quality Therapeutic Recreation services by examining, developing, refining and evaluating the body of knowledge and clinical practices and assisting in program planning, development and evaluation.
4. Providing input into performance appraisals and recruitment, as well as coordinating clinical work schedules, caseloads and service rotations.
5. Maintaining a partial clinical caseload including a therapeutic recreation assessment, interventions and follow-up within the established standards of care as per Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator’s job description.

Experience

• Minimum of 3 years recent Therapeutic Recreation experience in a healthcare setting required.
• Recent experience in the clinical service area preferred.
• Supervisory experience is preferred.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Undergraduate degree in Recreation Studies or approved equivalent required.
• Post-graduate research degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field, or other post-graduate degree relevant to the position, preferred.

SPECIAL TRAINING:

• Working knowledge of computer software programs, i.e.,  word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and email required.
• Successful completion of relevant continuing professional education in designated clinical area, or in fiscal/human resource management, preferred.
• Non-Violent Crisis Intervention required.
• Knowledge of integrated hospital information systems preferred.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Membership in local, provincial and national professional organizations preferred.
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training requirements for this position shall be in accordance with the Employer policy.

Qualifications and Skills

• Ability to establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with other disciplines.
• Demonstrated professional judgment and initiative.
• Knowledge of the physical, emotional, cognitive, social, cultural and economic aspects of client care.
• Knowledge of social, recreational and leisure programming and recreation resources.
• Excellent interpersonal and role-modelling skills and the ability to establish and maintain good interpersonal relationships.
• Demonstrated effective organizational, critical thinking, clinical reasoning, conflict resolution and decision-making skills.
• Ability to adapt to new concepts, techniques and best practice in the academic and clinical fields of healthcare knowledge.
• General knowledge of the regulations and scope of practice documents that guide the practice of Therapeutic Recreation and relevant support workers such as Mental Health Rehabilitation Workers.
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and mentoring abilities.
• Sound knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice.
• Working knowledge of research/program evaluation methodology.
• Ability to perform both independently and as a team member.
• Ability to critically evaluate and apply relevant knowledge to practice.
• Ability to function in a demanding and stressful environment.
• Ability to initiate, support and implement change.
• Ability to delegate appropriately and monitor outcomes of delegation.
• Ability to prioritize workload and attend to operations in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated commitment to continued professional development.
• Understanding of the vision and strategic directions of the region, facility/program and profession.
• Ability to function creatively and with minimal direction.
• Understanding of adult education methods.

Physical Requirements

• Must demonstrate adequate strength, agility, motor coordination and dexterity for implementation of therapeutic techniques and manipulation of therapeutic activities as appropriate to the service area.
• May be required to occasionally work extended hours.
• May be required to have access to a vehicle and have a valid driver’s licence.
• May be exposed to infectious diseases, blood and body fluids, toxic materials, noise, allergens, physical and emotional stress.
• May encounter aggressive and/or agitated clients/visitors/staff.