Recreational Therapist, Forensic Psychiatric Hospital - Coquitlam, BC

Recreational Therapist, Maximum and Multi-Level Security Units

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Coquitlam, BC

What is the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital?

The Forensic Psychiatric Hospital (FPH) is a 190-bed secure facility located in Coquitlam, B.C., on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded core territory of the kwikwəƛ̓əm First Nation (Kwikwetlem). We treat people who have been found not criminally responsible for a crime or unfit to stand trial due to a mental health disorder. We deliver services to patients using the “Clinical Program Model,” which aims to deliver high-quality care to meet the specific needs of patients and is currently the best practice in health care.

Learn about working as a member of the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital team. 

Watch this video to learn about working with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services!

What you’ll do

• Assess patient’s current level of recreation functioning and determines the requirements for programming through methods such as selecting and/or developing appropriate assessment tools; interviewing and assessing patients, reviewing the health record, using input from other health care professionals, considering available history and leisure analysis; determining strengths, functioning level and potential; analyzing the therapeutic needs of the patient; and attending and consulting with other members of the interdisciplinary team at Treatment Planning Conferences in order to receive and provide Information for the assessment.
• Plan, develop and arrange both on a short and long-term basis, individual and group therapeutic recreation program and services by methods such as translating therapeutic recreation plans into action plans defining objectives and strategies for intervention by the interdisciplinary team and other individuals; contacting services and resources in the community; enrolling patients in programs and/or arranging in-services; ensuring patients have proper equipment and supplies; arranging transportation when required; ensuring recreation programs and services are regularly scheduled; coordinating programs in conjunction with dietary, nursing and other disciplines; and reviewing, adapting and documenting changes in recreation plans to reflect patients’ progress.
• Implement safe and secure recreation therapy services for patients and staff by methods such as ensuring patients have the necessary security clearance to attend designated programs and escorting patients who do not have grounds clearance; taking attendance and immediately initiating appropriate security procedures if a discrepancy is discovered; checking that all equipment, tools, materials and chemicals used in the program are accounted for; observing patient behaviour and noting any patient behavioural changes which may be of a safety or security concern and immediately initiating appropriate security and reporting procedures; reviewing patient progress and modifying recreation care plans as required; supporting and assisting in patient intervention procedures; evaluating recreation programs and making changes as indicated; and ensuring that the facility and equipment do not become a security risk when working with maximum security patients.
• Maintain and report on comprehensive patient assessment and progress records related to recreation therapy as per FPSC policy, discipline standards and guidelines by methods such as writing concise and accurate assessment and treatment reports on patient case load to the Case Managers for the B.C. Board of Review; ensuring documentation is complete and up-to-date and providing evidence and rationale to support findings; appearing before the B.C. Board of Review to respond to inquiries concerning patient progress when required; and reporting concerns and issues to the Supervisor or Director as required.
• Participate in community meetings and collaborate with others on recreation therapy treatment by methods such as attending ward community meetings, liaising on a regular basis with nursing staff in regards to treatment, security and safety issues for patients; providing feedback on when it is safe and appropriate to integrate community resources into the program for normalization; and contacting community resources necessary to the operation and/or enhancement of the Recreation Therapy Services.

What you bring

Qualifications:

• Bachelors in Recreation Therapy from a recognized post-secondary institution.
• Two (2) years recent related experience working in a psychiatric setting with individuals who have complex mental health and addictions issues or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Eligible for membership in the British Columbia Therapeutic Recreation Association.
• Valid BC Drivers License.  Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of recreation therapy theory and practice within an evidence-based, patient and family-centered, psychosocial rehabilitation model of care.
• Broad knowledge of other health care disciplines and their role in patient care.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, implement, lead and evaluate therapeutic recreation programs and to coach patients and co-workers both one-on-one and in groups.  
• Demonstrated ability to apply psychosocial rehabilitation techniques.
• Demonstrated ability to teach and supervise patients while empowering them to assume control over their health.
• Commitment to develop knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents – including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study – and how they intersect across the health care system.
• Commitment to upholding the shared responsibility of creating lasting and meaningful reconciliation in Canada as per TRC (2015) and BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019).
• As a strong asset for consideration, we are looking for our successful candidate to have: Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).

What we bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• Enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including municipal pension plan, and psychological health & safety programs and holistic wellness resources.
• Annual statutory holidays (13) with generous vacation entitlement and accruement.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.

Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Wage: $37.89 - $47.31 per hour

2% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Minimum and Medium security units and community settings; 4% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Maximum and Multi-level security units.
Location: 70 Colony Farm Road, Coquitlam, B.C. V3C 5X9
Hours of Work: Monday – Thursday; 1215-2015
Requisition: # 176823E

** Please indicate in your cover letter why you are interested in joining our team at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital!

What we do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

The Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs:jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

PHSA is committed to equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently marginalized groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya'kula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at indigenous.employment@phsa.ca.

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and marginalization faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and self-determination of Indigenous communities. PHSA must uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents such as including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.

ATTN: PHSA Employees:

To be considered as a PHSA employee (internal applicant) for this position, you must apply online via your internal profile at http://internaljobs.phsa.ca

Please note the internal job posting will no longer be accessible after the expiry date of December 20, 2024 . If the internal job posting has expired, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk and advise that you would like to be considered as a late internal applicant for this position. Please do not apply for the external job posting.

If you have not registered your internal profile, a password is required to log in for the first time. To obtain your password, please contact the Internal Jobs Help Desk at 604-875-7264 or 1-855-875-7264. Please note regular business hours are Monday – Friday (excluding stats), 8:30am to 4:30pm. For inquiries outside of regular business hours, please email the Internal Jobs Help Desk at internaljobshelpu@phsa.ca and a Help Desk Representative will contact you the next business day.