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Recreation Therapy Associate - Rehabilitation & Supportive Care Services

  • Dartmouth, NS
  • On-site
  • Posted Oct 9, 2026
  • 1 position

$26–$31 / hour

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Employment type
Full-time
Experience level
Entry, Junior · 0+ years
Minimum education
Professional degree
Apply by
Oct 23, 2026
Posting language
English
Working hours
38 hours per week

Job summary

The Recreation Therapy Associate supports clients and families through therapeutic recreation interventions aimed at improving holistic functioning. They contribute to the assessment, planning, and evaluation of services while working closely with the early mobility group.

Job details

Click here to apply as an internal applicant. ​Req ID: 227674Location: Central Zone, Dartmouth General Hospital Department: OPCZ DGH & TA'sType of Employment: Permanent Hourly FT (100%) x 1 Union: NSGEU Healthcare PositionPosting Closing Date: 22-Oct-26About the Opportunity Reporting to the Health Services Manager, and under the direction of the Recreation Therapist, the Recreation Therapy Associate works to support clients and families through application of therapeutic recreation intervention aimed at holistic functioning of clients. The Recreation Therapy Associate contributes to assessment, evidence-informed interventions, planning and evaluation of recreation therapy services. Recreation therapy associates provide interventions to groups or individuals in inpatient, outpatient or community settings, related to the client’s leisure needs and overall plan of care. This position will also work closely with the early mobility group. About You We would love to hear from you if you have the following: A post-secondary diploma with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation from an accredited educational institution Standard First Aid Non-Violent Crisis Intervention considered an asset Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (BCLS CPR) Experience working with individuals with physical/cognitive disabilities Experience working with older adults who have dementia Ability to work effectively within a team or other healthcare professionals Ability to assist in the plan, develop, implement and evaluation of Therapeutic Recreation programs Effective listening and communication skills; ability to motivate residents Adaptability/Flexibility: changing and adapting skills to changing patient populations and/or worksites Ability to work independently, without direct supervision Ability to understand medical terminology used in a clinical area, and use within the documentation Competencies in other languages an asset, French preferred Please ensure your resume is up to date and includes all relevant education, experience, training, and certifications.Hours Permanent full-time position; 75 hours biweekly Compensation and Benefits $25.84 - $30.85 Hourly Successful candidates may be eligible for our benefits package which includes health, dental, travel, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage as well as a defined benefit pension plan.What You'll Love About Nova Scotia Health Nova Scotia Health is more than the province's largest provider of health services; we're a team driven by excellence in health, healing and learning. Across hospitals, health centres and community programs, our people deliver innovative, high-quality care that impacts lives across Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada. From vibrant city life to scenic coastal communities, Nova Scotia offers a lifestyle as rewarding as the work itself. At Nova Scotia Health, you'll find meaningful career opportunities, supportive teams and the work-life balance to enjoy everything our beautiful province has to offer. Join us and discover why so many people are choosing to call Nova Scotia home. Once You've Applied Thank you for your interest in this position. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. ​This is a Healthcare bargaining unit position. Preference is given to bargaining unit employees for unionized positions. Nova Scotia Health is committed to being a workforce that is free of discrimination, values diversity, and is representative, at all job levels, of the people we serve. We encourage all qualified applicants who self-identify as Indigenous, Black/African Nova Scotian, Persons of Colour, Foreign Nationals/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ to apply and self-identify.

What you’ll do

The Recreation Therapy Associate supports clients and families through therapeutic recreation interventions aimed at improving holistic functioning. They contribute to the assessment, planning, and evaluation of services while working closely with the early mobility group.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a post-secondary diploma in Therapeutic Recreation from an accredited institution and possess Standard First Aid certification. Experience working with individuals with physical or cognitive disabilities and older adults with dementia is required.

Benefits

  • Health insurance
  • Dental insurance
  • Travel insurance
  • Long-term disability insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Defined benefit pension plan

Listed skills

  • Care Planning · Preferred
  • Dementia care · Preferred
  • Communication Skills · Preferred
  • Teamwork · Preferred
  • adaptability · Preferred
  • crisis intervention · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

  • Therapeutic recreation
  • Patient assessment
  • Evidence-informed interventions
  • Care planning
  • Recreation therapy
  • Early mobility support
  • Physical disability support
  • Cognitive disability support
  • Dementia care
  • Medical terminology
  • Clinical documentation
  • Communication skills
  • Active listening
  • Teamwork
  • Adaptability
  • Crisis intervention
  • Dementia
  • Planning
  • Motivational Skills
  • First Aid
  • Basic Cardiac Life Support
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
  • Communication
  • Crisis Intervention
  • Disabilities
  • French Language
  • Innovation
  • Listening Skills
  • Medical Terminology
  • Recreational Therapy

Job areas

  • Healthcare
  • Social Services
  • Sports & Recreation
  • Rehabilitation Therapy Aide
  • Entertainment / Recreation Attendant
  • Creative and Performing Artists Not Elsewhere Classified
  • Amusement and Recreation Attendants

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