About The Role

With a passion for resident care, the Recreation Therapist is responsible and accountable for the provision of resident assessments and interventions; site/ unit recreation programs to optimize resident physical, cognitive, sensory, emotional and social functions.

The Recreation Therapist works in close liaison with the Interdisciplinary Team and is accountable to provide leadership and supervision to the Recreation Therapy Assistant or Therapy Assistant as applicable.

What You Will Do

Resident Centered Care

Promotes service excellence through active participation with the Interdisciplinary Team to achieve and maintain quality resident care within the scope of Recreation Therapy.

Conducts recreation therapy assessments in alignment with Bethany Care policies and procedures.

Determines resident and family needs, strengths, and goals for recreation services

Monitors on-going evaluation of Recreation Services and adapts programs, leisure equipment, and schedules as needed to meet the needs of the residents.

Coordinates Recreation programming provided by community partners or agencies (e.g., Music therapy, pet therapy, ARBI’s, CAPCC, Entertainment, etc.).

Promotes resident independence, choice, and engagement through self-directed leisure opportunities and community programs.

Documentation

Accurate, comprehensive, and timely documentation of resident care assessment, interventions, and outcomes in alignment with Bethany policies and procedures.

Documents in healthcare records, including resident centered care plan in accordance with policy, procedure, and professional standards.

Ensures record of resident participation is completed daily through comprehensive progress notes and monitored quarterly or as needed.

Communicates resident changes and unusual occurrences as appropriate.

Maintains accurate records of recreation budgets and provides reports as directed.

Obtains and documents consent from resident and/or designate for specialized services (e.g., photos, outings, programming, etc.)

Provides input to resident’s levels of social engagement as it relates to the RAI/MDS Team

Work





Cares for and actively participates and assists the Interdisciplinary Team to achieve and maintain a responsible atmosphere of resident centered care.

Promotes constructive caring relationships with the Interdisciplinary Team, by fostering an understanding of the unique contributions of all team members

Educates and assists the Interdisciplinary Team to provide resident centered services

Promotes and maintains a partnership with residents’ families.

Assists in the review of Recreation programs and actively participates in the implementation and evaluation of new Recreation programs and services.

Contributes to the establishment of short- and long-term goals for the resident.

Leadership

Enables a high-performance culture through leading, developing, and coaching employees.

Provides orientation, supervision, and direction to Recreation Therapy Assistants, students, and volunteers, to ensure expected outcomes of service.

Supports ongoing educational development through in-services, workshops, and/or learning sessions for Recreation Therapy Assistants, ID Team Members, students, and/or volunteers.

Demonstrates critical thinking and judgement with decisions related to resident centered care. (e.g., decides whether a resident should go on a planned outing or participate in an assigned program when health status had changed).

Modifies intervention plans to meet the resident’s goals when there is change in status that affects participation levels.

What You Bring

- Recreation Therapy Diploma;
- Degree in Therapeutic Recreation preferred;
- Previous experience in geriatrics preferred.
- Knowledge of and experience with dementia care preferred.
- Registration with Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association preferred but not required.
- Membership in appropriate regulatory college when required.




- Able to work effectively in a physically and mentally demanding environment.
- Excellent observation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Current First Aid Certificate and CPR Certificate.
- Class 4 driver’s license if driving resident passenger buses is required.

Position Information

- Location: Cochrane, Alberta
- Site: Bethany Cochrane
- Site Address: 32 Quigley Dr #1000, Cochrane, AB T4C 1X9
- Classification: Recreation Therapist (SVR-CC20-001) - Bethany Cochrane
- FTE: 1.00
- Non- Union/Union: Department/Unit: Therapeutic Services - Cochrane
- Time Type: Full time
- Position Type: Temporary (Fixed Term)
- Shift & Hours of Work: Days (0800-1615)
- Shift per Cycle: 20 x 7.75 hr shifts in 4 weeks
- Position Start Date: 2026-09-04
- Position End Date: 2026-12-04

All applicants are thanked for their interest.

Only those selected to move forward will be contacted.

Bethany Care Society is an equal prospect employer.

Successful candidates will be required to obtain a Criminal Background Check and provide proof of all mandatory immunizations.

Bethany Care Society complies with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA).

By forwarding your resume to Bethany you are consenting to the collection and use of your personal information for this job competition. Your information will be kept strictly confidential.

Bethany is one of Western Canada’s largest not-for-profit providers of care, housing, and community services for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Since 1945, Bethany has provided high-quality, person-centred care focused on the unique physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of our residents and tenants.

At Bethany, our employees are the backbone that supports our model of quality care.

We celebrate a workforce rich in diversity, and our employees are rewarded through meaningful work experiences.

Our employees are a part of something bigger than themselves—we are a team of multidisciplinary professionals committed to "Creating Caring Communities.

For more information, check out this video about Working at Bethany

📌 Recreation Therapist (SVR--001) - Bethany Cochrane
🏢 BCS Bethany Care Society
📍 Cochrane