Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences

(TEMPORARY FULL-TIME) RECREATION THERAPIST - GERIATRIC Psychiatry Unit

Whitby, ON
On-site
Posted Oct 20, 2026
1 position

Opens an external site

Employment type: Full-time
Experience level: Mid-level · 2+ years
Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree
Posting language: English
Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job summary

The Recreation Therapist will assess, develop, and implement individualized and group therapeutic recreation programs for geriatric patients with complex mental illnesses. They will work as an integral part of an interdisciplinary team to support patient stabilization, rehabilitation, and community reintegration.

Job details

JOB DESCRIPTION Job Details Description JOB DESCRIPTION Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences is seeking a Recreation Therapist. As a Recreation Therapist, you will provide specialized care to patients with complex mental illnesses by using a recovery focused model of care, built upon compassion, inspiration and hope. The Recreation Therapist will assess, develop, implement and evaluate individualized and group therapeutic recreation programs as well as providing functional and strength based social skill programs, which support and encourage the treatment, rehabilitation and recovery programming for a geriatric population. The Therapeutic Recreationist is knowledgeable of the older adult population and contributes to the patient’s Plan of Care working as an integral part of the interdisciplinary team. The assignment is on the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, within the Geriatric and Neuropsychiatry Program. This unit will provide specialized services for older adults with complex and treatment resistant mental illness. This unit will provide assessment, stabilization, treatment and management of dementia-related behaviours with the goal of community reintegration. The goal of treatment will be to stabilize patients so that they can successfully transition to long-term care or the referring organization. Please Note: Although the posted vacancy is for the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit, Recreation Therapists must have the ability to work in any area of the Ontario Shores as patient needs dictate. Requirements: • Degree or diploma in Therapeutic Recreation and 2 years related experience is required • Knowledge of current therapeutic recreation practices, theories, methodologies • Current TRO membership required and eligible registration with TRO is preferred • Knowledgeable of recovery and mental illness including treatment practices • Ability to implement appropriate treatment, leisure education and participation programs • Skills in therapeutic recreation assessment and program design • Experience in a mental health setting or older adult population is required (preference given to individual with DD knowledge/experience) Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, computer skills, liaise with community agencies • Ability to maintain regular attendance and perform physical demands of the position. • Applicants are required to have a valid driver’s license and CPR Level HCP (Health Care Provider) certification. Link to OPSEU Wage Table-This position is part of the OPSEU bargaining unit [https://www.ontarioshores.ca/media/1821] Job Posting Closing: November 2nd 2026 . Please note any job applications after this closing date will not be considered. Number of vacancy - 1

What you’ll do

Requirements

Candidates must hold a degree or diploma in Therapeutic Recreation and possess at least two years of related experience. A valid driver’s license, CPR Level HCP certification, and current TRO membership are required.