CAREERS

Contract Position: Recreation Therapist Assistant   

Description:  

The Recreation Therapist Assistant reports directly to the Recreation Therapist. The Recreation Therapist Assistant plays an active part in planning and administrative preparation for the YouQuest Service Day. These activities are established under the guidance of the Recreation Therapist and based on pre-determined events established during planning sessions. Then, the Recreation Therapist Assistant acts as support to the Recreation Therapist Lead during service days. Taking direction from the Recreation Therapist, the Assistant ensures that transitions and preparation for activities are effectively managed. In addition, the Assistant is prepared to intervene with participants or take the lead of the whole group should the Recreation Therapist request it.  

Responsibilities:  

Responsibilities are broken down according to planning and administration along with service day implementation. Activities may or may not be assigned to the Recreation Therapist Assistant. This is intended to be an example of the different types of activity this position may include. Additional responsibilities may be added as required:   

Service Day Support:

  • Attend and support all activities for service days as required 
  • Attend coaching, orientation, and planning sessions as scheduled  
  • Ensure supplies and equipment are collected and in place prior to the start of the day, tidied up and cleaned at the end of the day  
  • Assist with setting up venue prior to service day start time  
  • Participate with carrying out itinerary for the day ensuring transition times are seamless  
  • Ensures snacks, drinks and lunch selections are ready for the day  
  • Places order for meals ahead of time and confirms restaurant bookings  
  • Provide one-to-one support for participants with young onset dementia to maximize their potential and to create opportunity to be successful, satisfied and meaningfully engaged in their community  
  • Able to lead specific elements of the day based on experience, expertise and comfort levels (e.g. Fitness training/stretching)  
  • Prepared to provide leadership to participants, volunteers, and Program Coordinator during a service day in the event of an emergency or incident that requires the Recreation Therapist to direct their attention elsewhere  
  • Is familiar with and prepared to implement emergency procedures and protocols as directed by Recreation Therapist  
  • Provide guidance and model to volunteers best practices when interacting with participants  
  • Provide input for student practicum experience and evaluations  
  • Support Recreation Therapists in communicating with Care Partners before and after service days regarding participant and service day needs. Share feedback and information with Recreation Therapists 
  • Document and share participant information using YouQuest tools   

Planning and Administrative Support  

  • Collaborate with Recreation Therapists and Volunteer Coordinator to develop a high-level service day schedule  
  • Support planning and implementation of family events (e.g. picnic and family holiday party)  
  • Research, resource, book and organize details for each service day and effectively communicate details with the team (transportation, venue, restaurant, meal choices, special guests, etc.)  
  • Organize and file photos from service days on the online shared drive  
  • Assist with set-up, transitions and other aspects of the day to ensure smooth transitions for the participants  
  • Participate in team meetings  
  • Assist with maintaining a current list of equipment inventory and ensuring equipment and materials in the storage room are labelled and well organized  
  • Collect and organize receipts to reconcile with credit card statements  
  • Actively and positively promote YouQuest to current and prospective stakeholders (participants, volunteers, donors, research groups, etc.)  

Qualifications:  

  • Recreation Therapy Aide Certificate or equivalent experience 
  • Agree with and abide by the Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) Code of Ethics  
  • 1+ years of experience providing RTA support (can include practicum experience)  
  • Personal experience or educational training with dementia  

Skills:   

  • Energetic, enthusiastic and able to interact with people exhibiting varying stages of their diagnosis  
  • Previous experience with leading large groups (approx. 20 people)  
  • Creative and able to implement new activities   
  • Able to read circumstances and situations with individuals and groups and provide appropriate response  
  • Detailed, organized, and able to manage multiple tasks at the same time  
  • Self-Starter, highly motivated, able to self-direct work while managing own time effectively  
  • Evidence of following policies and procedures relevant to managing confidential and sensitive information  
  • Proficient with technology(Microsoft 365, Outlook, SharePoint, Shared Drives, Microsoft Office Suite, inputting information and pulling reports from database systems)  

Authority:  

Reporting: Directly to the Recreation Therapists 

Direct Reports: 0  

Authority: As provided by the Recreation Therapists 

Working Conditions:  

This position requires an individual who can adapt and flex with daily circumstances. Conditions include but may not be limited to:  

  • Personal office space (remote) with your own hardware and software to complete the job (laptop/computer, MS Suite, access to internet, etc.)  
  • Ability to drive and has own vehicle  
  • Able to lift up to 25 lbs.  
  • Able to walk and be active for long periods of time (2+ hours)  
  • Can tolerate busy and noisy environments  
  • Available to work the occasional evenings and weekends   

Start Date: 

  • September 16, 2025 

Schedule and time requirements: 

  • Contract Position 
  • Two days per week, either Tuesday or Thursday and every Wednesday, 8:15 am to 4:15 pm 
  • Some planning time throughout the year as needed 

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Volunteers

YouQuest is actively looking for volunteers to support service days and participants. Volunteers typically attend the YouQuest service days for either a half-day or full-day. The main role is to come alongside our participants with young-onset dementia to engage in conversation, activity and other support as needed. Training is available for volunteers and this is a great opportunity to support people with young-onset dementia and their families. There are other opportunities for behind the scenes support depending on your interests and availability.

Contact Us Today