Jennifer Parks, Recreation Therapist at Banfield

 “VCH is a great place for recreation therapists,” she shares. “The level professional practice support is like nothing I have experienced before. VCH really values the work of recreation therapist and that is demonstrated by the positive team culture, the new roles being created for Recreation Therapy, and the excellent professional practice leadership.”  

Along with the culture, Jennifer enjoys the nature of the work, especially as it involves being there for the big little moments for her residents. She shares examples of helping someone with arthritis be able to paint or knit again, greeting them in their heritage language, hearing about happy life memories from someone with dementia, and witnessing someone with a brain injury become more alert. “It is always such an honour to witness these types of changes and moments in our residents,” she says.

Jennifer always had a passion for healthcare. She found her calling in Recreation Therapy, drawn to its blend of health sciences, disability studies, and psychology. She realized that by incorporating enjoyment into healthcare practices, she could make a meaningful difference in people's lives. She graduated from Douglas College, with a bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation and held a range of work in a variety of programs within diverse teams. After closely working with a few memorable residents with terminal illness, Jennifer realized a passion for palliative care and pursued a Death Doula Certificate and became a volunteer at her local hospice.

When Jennifer felt ready to grow her career and make a change, she chose VCH. She shared, “VCH offers new and evolving roles for recreation therapists across healthcare settings, reflecting the opportunities for growth and versatility”.

Practitioners are encouraged to engage in initiatives like practice-based research and education, fostering professional development and community involvement.

“VCH promotes a culture where recreation therapists are respected as valued team members, enabling us to practice in a clinical setting. This allows for meaningful contributions to professional practice and collaboration with peers, enriching the field of Recreation Therapy at VCH.”

Jennifer says she is still gaining experience in this profession and is learning on a daily basis. “I am always developing my clinical skills and leadership skills through learning opportunities and mentorship. There are lots of opportunities to explore ideas through webinars, in-services and training courses.”

The educational opportunities at VCH are also a significant benefit for Jennifer. She acknowledges the strong support from professional practice that promotes work recognition and provides the necessary resources to enhance her practice as a Recreation Therapist.

As a practitioner, Jennifer is particularly interested in chronic illness and pain management, palliative care, ecotherapy, trauma-informed practice, leisure counseling, and psychotherapeutic techniques. “I find that I get the opportunity to apply and learn about these topics through the work that I do,” she says. Additionally, Jennifer has initiated the process of completing the Educator Pathway training opportunities and is actively pursuing graduate studies to further deepen her knowledge and expertise in these areas.

At BVC, Jennifer shares that the whole team works closely with each other. “I can go from consulting and collaborating with my allied health colleagues on a care plan in the office to walking into the resident areas to work with the nursing staff and care aides to make that plan happen,” she says. “It is easy to collaborate with the whole interdisciplinary team and I am always learning new things from them.”

Jennifer describes her interdisciplinary team and colleagues at BVC as passionate and supportive. “Everyone is great to work with, really cares for the residents and do their best to meet their needs,” she says. “When times get tough at work (as they do in any healthcare setting) the team supports one another and helps each other. My leaders are also supportive and are super approachable if I need anything. I feel lucky to be part of a great team at BVC.”

Recreation Therapy plays a crucial role in long term care amidst the growing aging population with increasingly complex needs. This field offers a uniquely challenging and rewarding work environment for practitioners. With residents spanning diverse cultures, languages, ages, genders, and cognitive and physical abilities, Recreation Therapists must employ critical thinking and creativity daily. The dynamic nature of the job ensures no dull moments, providing opportunities to continuously learn new skills and enhance competencies. Moreover, the capacity to forge genuine, meaningful relationships with residents adds profound satisfaction to the role.

“Long term care may be perceived as being boring and for the stereotypical older adult, but I highly disagree,” says Jennifer. “I encourage any early career Recreation Therapist to get experience in long term care.”

VCH has exciting opportunities for recreation therapists. Learn more and apply today.

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