Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Affiliations
Timeline
Generic

Sarah Bartkus

Summary

Healthcare professional and leader with a proven track record to achieve exemplary levels of service delivery. Experience working with various non-profit organizations, with prior work supporting the Pacific Northwest Division of Family Practice. Proven problem solver and excellent communicator. Strong organizational skills, superb understanding of data collection and performance metrics. Diverse experience working with Physicians and other Health Care Providers.

Overview

12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Care Manager

CapitalCare
12.2022 - Current
  • Provided Care Manager support at the CHOICE South Restorative Program and Strathcona Care Centre
  • Responsible for the implementation and optimization of operational objectives, through management of a multidisciplinary team and relationship development with Community Partners, Physicians, Clients, and Caregivers
  • Provides direct leadership to the following interdisciplinary team members: Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Recreation Therapist, Social Worker, Therapy Assistants, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Health Care Aides, and Administrative Support Staff
  • Ensures the provision of high-quality evidence-based care for clients attending the program
  • Improved client satisfaction through effective communication and collaboration with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.
  • Developed strong rapport with clients and families through empathetic listening and compassionate communication techniques.
  • Responsible for overall departmental budget and expenditures, program delivery, evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives
  • Works collaboratively with both CapitalCare and Alberta Health Services senior leadership teams to ensure program goals and strategic partnerships are optimized
  • Chair of the CHOICE South Occupational Health, Safety and Wellness Committee, staff meetings, client care planning meetings, and other strategic meetings
  • Responsible for staff recruitment, training, performance appraisals, and performance management.

Recreation Therapist - Manager

Extendicare Leduc
08.2021 - 12.2022
  • Member of site management team
  • Managed the Recreation Therapy, Volunteer Services and Pastoral Care Departments
  • Board Director and Convenor on Extendicare Leduc Resident and Family Council
  • Worked with universities and colleges to coordinate therapy student practicum placements
  • Successful grant writer for the 2022 New Horizons for Seniors Program Federal Grant, to benefit resident wellness initiatives
  • Provided leadership to therapy team: including recruitment, coaching, performance reviews, payroll, scheduling, and leading department meetings
  • Managed departmental budget and expenditures
  • Implemented and evaluated program policies and procedures
  • Creating monthly program calendars, newsletters, and promotional materials
  • Managing large-scale events
  • Extensive collaboration with interdisciplinary team and community stakeholders

Recreation Therapy Manager

Salvation Army - Edmonton Centre Of Hope
10.2017 - 08.2021
  • Leadership of two Recreation Therapy departments, including a 100-bed Supportive Living Site and a 72-bed Mental Health and Addictions site
  • Recruitment, retention, and team development
  • Responsible for budget development and financial reporting
  • Led implementation of ActivityPro electronic documentation at both sites
  • Grant and proposal writing
  • Successful grant writer of the 2021 New Horizon’s for Seniors Federal Grant application that benefited residents at the site
  • Developed and presented educational in-services for interprofessional team members
  • Worked closely with Volunteer Services Department, including recruitment and training of volunteers and identification of areas in need of volunteers
  • Achieved departmental goals by developing and executing strategic plans and performance metrics.
  • Developed a strong organizational culture focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and continuous learning opportunities.
  • Supervision of recreation therapy students
  • Created monthly communication plans based on resident interests and needs
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to develop care plans for residents
  • Responsible for ensuring that all recreation therapy programs followed strict adherence to COVID-19 policies and procedures
  • Conducted regular program evaluations
  • Developed promotional material for newsletters and special events
  • Established and maintained strong relationships with key stakeholders, to enhance programming
  • Leadership of resident council meeting and department meetings, including preparation of agendas and meeting minutes
  • Active participant in site leadership conferences and meetings

Project Manager (1-Year Contract Position)

Pacific Northwest Division Of Family Practice
11.2016 - 10.2017
  • Supported membership services for 120 Physician members in the Pacific Northwest Division of Family Practice
  • Developed and planned patient engagement strategies, such as coordinating large-scale Community Engagement surveys across BC’s Pacific Northwest region
  • Managed online engagement surveys to gather perspectives to inform primary care network planning for the region
  • Developed comprehensive project plans with clear timelines, milestones, and budget requirements, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results.
  • Responsible for developing and managing online survey databases, entering, and analyzing data, promotion of surveys on social media, as well as generating reports of survey results
  • Member of interdisciplinary committees
  • Created and managed all social media platforms to increase visibility for the Pacific Northwest Division
  • Development of newsletters and other promotional materials
  • Networked with various community partner organizations to arrange Division initiatives

Recreation Therapist (Maternity Leave Coverage)

Extendicare Eaux Claires
01.2016 - 10.2016
  • Managed the recreation therapy department in a 180-bed long-term care residence
  • Developed and presented educational in-services for staff members
  • Worked closely with Volunteer Services Department, including supervision and training of volunteers and identification of areas in need of volunteers
  • Created monthly calendars based on resident interests and needs
  • Conducted regular program evaluations
  • Grant writing
  • Developed promotional material for newsletters and special events
  • Connected with various community organizations to enhance resident programming
  • Led monthly resident council meeting and recreation therapy department meetings, as well as developed agendas and meeting minutes
  • Budget management
  • Development of sensory stimulation programming
  • Provided leadership and supervision to staff and summer students
  • Participated in weekly interdisciplinary conferences
  • Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams for comprehensive resident care and improved treatment outcomes
  • Established partnerships with local organizations to secure additional resources and support ongoing programming efforts within the facility
  • Conducted research on emerging trends in recreation therapy, staying current with industry best practices and integrating innovative approaches into daily practice

Recreation Therapy Supervisor (Mat Leave Coverage)

Salvation Army - Grace Manor
02.2015 - 03.2016
  • Managed the recreation therapy department in a 100-bed supportive living residence
  • Provided opportunities for community-based wellness programming
  • Assessed residents’ needs and developed personalized care plans
  • Led the development, implementation, and evaluation of group and individual wellness programs
  • Managed and developed annual department budget
  • Liaised with various community organizations and contractors, to enhance programming
  • Reviewed and developed departmental policies
  • Supervised staff and volunteers
  • Provided education to interdisciplinary team members
  • Created monthly wellness calendars.
  • Streamlined operations for increased efficiency through regular process reviews and implementing necessary changes


Recreation Therapy Clinical Practicum

Royal Alexandra Hospital
01.2014 - 04.2014
  • Upon referral, completed patient assessments, developed patient-centered treatment plans, and led individual and group wellness sessions
  • Developed educational in-services for the Rehabilitation Department
  • Provided patients with resources and education to access community wellness programs upon discharge.
  • Conducted research for various projects, leading to well-informed decisions and successful outcomes
  • Prepared comprehensive reports summarizing data analysis findings, informing key decision-makers of important trends and patterns

Program Assistant

Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
07.2012 - 05.2013
  • Planned and led adapted recreation programs
  • Involved with piloting an inclusive spin class at the University of Alberta for individuals with spinal cord injuries
  • Completed various administrative duties, including scheduling meetings, booking facility spaces, arranging contracts, developing monthly newsletters, and creating program manuals
  • Recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers for large-scale fundraiser
  • Promoted Spinal Cord Injury Alberta at various community wellness events
  • Increased participant satisfaction by regularly evaluating feedback and making necessary adjustments
  • Supported the development of new programs through thorough research and analysis of industry trends

Education

Master of Health Administration -

University of Regina

Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport And Tourism -

University of Alberta
04.2014

Skills

  • Quality Improvement
  • Project Management
  • Budget Administration
  • Staff Management
  • Community Partner Collaboration
  • Meeting Facilitation
  • Team Building
  • Proficiency with Electronic Medical Records
  • Meeting facilitation
  • Risk Management
  • Data Analysis
  • Strategic Planning
  • Resource Allocation
  • Strong Commitment and Understanding of Cultural Safety and Humility

Certification

  • CPR – Health Care Provider
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI)
  • Individual CISM Training
  • Group CISM Training

Affiliations

  • Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
  • Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA)

Timeline

Care Manager

CapitalCare
12.2022 - Current

Recreation Therapist - Manager

Extendicare Leduc
08.2021 - 12.2022

Recreation Therapy Manager

Salvation Army - Edmonton Centre Of Hope
10.2017 - 08.2021

Project Manager (1-Year Contract Position)

Pacific Northwest Division Of Family Practice
11.2016 - 10.2017

Recreation Therapist (Maternity Leave Coverage)

Extendicare Eaux Claires
01.2016 - 10.2016

Recreation Therapy Supervisor (Mat Leave Coverage)

Salvation Army - Grace Manor
02.2015 - 03.2016

Recreation Therapy Clinical Practicum

Royal Alexandra Hospital
01.2014 - 04.2014

Program Assistant

Spinal Cord Injury Alberta
07.2012 - 05.2013

Master of Health Administration -

University of Regina

Bachelor of Arts in Recreation, Sport And Tourism -

University of Alberta
  • CPR – Health Care Provider
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI)
  • Individual CISM Training
  • Group CISM Training
Sarah Bartkus