Therapeutic Therapist I (Recreation Evening Shift /Gulfport, MS)

Recreation Therapeutic Therapist

The mission of Specialized Treatment Facility is to promote and strengthen the mental health and the education of males and females who are experiencing behavioral difficulties in their homes, schools, and communities. Milieu Therapy is a planned treatment environment in which everyday events and interactions are therapeutically designed for the purpose of enhancing social skills and building confidence. This therapy uses common structures familiar to all children, such as daily routines, consistent rules and activities. Recreation Therapeutic Therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, to help maintain or improve a resident's physical, social, and emotional well-being. They may also perform environment of care checks and transport residents to offsite appointments and field trips.

About the Position

Recreation Therapeutic Therapists are the first-level direct care position accountable for supervising the residents at STF in the recreation department. They provide supervision to residents in all recreational activities and across the campus as appropriate for the individual and the setting/activity to ensure safety and therapeutic goals are met. Recreation and sports promote development and healing for residents with mental and behavioral health challenges. Play offers residents multiple benefits for mental health and physical development. Through play with peers and counselors, residents are able to build trust and positive relationships with others. The residents are encouraged to partake in developmentally-appropriate activities. These activities allow residents to play and learn at their own pace. They also engage in structured skill-building to develop coping mechanisms that work for them. Recreation is incorporated into the resident's daily schedules to match their individualized therapy. Activities are led by trained staff to meet the needs of each child. Recreation Therapeutic Therapists adhere to MS State, MS DMH, and STF policies and procedures while performing their job. Recreation Therapeutic Therapists participate in continuous learning.

Recreation Therapeutic Therapists staff will provide instructions for residents and staff to engage, complete, or assist in scheduled activities. Recreation Therapeutic Therapists staff will encourage non-participating residents to keep score or referee games engaged in by participating residents or assist other duties correlating with the activity. Recreation Therapeutic Therapists plan, schedule, implement, and coordinate off campus outings and weekend activities according to Recreation's policy and plan appropriate events, activities, and outings for each level earned. Recreation Therapeutic Therapists communicate with Resident Living Leadership about planned weekend activities and provide equipment according to the activity calendar. Recreation Therapeutic Therapists maintain the cleanliness of the gymnasium and ensure the equipment is in good working order. Requisitions and supervises maintenance and care of recreational equipment. Supervises recreational building activities. Makes careful observations of residents and their reactions while participating in recreational activities. Assists in analyzing current programs and makes decisions relative to future activities. Maintains certifications in Mandt, CPR and first aid. Maintains a valid driver license and liability insurance to be a driver of a state vehicle.

What you'll need to be successful

Teamwork: Communication is the key element for collaboration in a team. Knowing to look at the bigger picture. Knowing how to be flexible, adaptable, and open-minded. Knowledge of how to provide care to residents by means of personal hygiene, first aid, and the monitoring of resident conditions. Resident Identification and Familiarization: Is adaptive to an ever-changing population with the ability to cope with the loss of residents. Conflict Resolution: Knowledge of physical and nonphysical behavioral interventions. Report Writing and Record Keeping: Accurately maintain and document resident information on charts and reports. Training and Instruction: Provides instructional training to residents.