Recreation Therapy Intern

Recreation Therapy Intern

Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Overview

Salary Range $22.50 Hourly Position Type Part Time I

Description

JOB PURPOSE:

• To assist with all job responsibilities of the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist including (but not limited to) assessing, planning, developing, implementing and evaluating therapeutic recreation programs for children and adults with disabilities within our member park districts and recreation departments.
• To gain exposure to components of the NCTRC Job Analysis Task Domains. While it is not mandatory that applicants be exposed to all the sub categories within tach task area, each of the main task areas must be completed. No less than 20 hours per week or more than 45 hours per week will be accepted for the internship experience, except as may be provided in the Alternative Internship Guidelines. Additionally, the internship experience must be completed for no less than fourteen consecutive full weeks. The total minimum number of required hours is 560. For students completing only 20 hours a week, the total number of weeks will be 28 to meet the minimum 560 hour requirement.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Communication and Outreach

• Provide timely responses to phone calls, voicemail and written materials, whether received by mail, fax, or email sent by NWSRA.
• Treat public complaints and concerns with the utmost attention. Is courteous in all cases.

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Assist in supervision and evaluation for part-time staff and volunteers in assigned programs.
• Serve as a team leader, prompting group cohesiveness while leading programs and assist in preparing part-time staff and volunteers working in the assigned programs.
• Develop goals and objectives for each assigned programs and maintain all program paperwork; i.e., records, forms, and correspondence.
• Effectively navigate to and from designated points in the member districts assigned quickly and without hesitation.
• Maintain expenditure records for each assigned program, collect, and turn in receipts from program expenses in a timely fashion.
• Plan and develop programs of all types including weekly, clubs, special events, Leisure Education, camps, trips/overnights, Lightning Athletics and cooperative programs.
• Prepare and implement behavior management strategies when necessary, to ensure safe involvement in recreation programs by people with disabilities.
• Drive agency vehicles and transport program participants, as required, and assist in care and maintenance of vehicles as required.
• Demonstrate creativity, enthusiasm, and take initiative when leading programs.
• Responsible for record keeping such as attendance sheets, as well as incident and accident reporting forms.
• Provide assistance and instruction to the participants when needed.
• Understand needs of persons with disabilities and adapt activities to enable participation when necessary.
• Assist with the development and implementation of behavior plans when needed in assigned programs.
• Other duties needed to help drive our Vision, fulfill our Mission, and abide by NWSRA's Core Values.

Safety

• Understand safety polices, maintain a working knowledge of all general and departmental-specific safety policies and inspect work and program areas for compliance with safe work practices and policies.
• Enforce safety policies by improving employee and public knowledge while correcting unsafe behavior and conditions.
• Cooperate and assist in the investigation of accidents/ incidents and attends all required safety program and education meetings.

Qualifications

JOB STRENGTH REQUIREMENTS:

Weight Bearing:

• Ability to gather and transfer program equipment and to move heavy recreational equipment.
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and push a wheel chair up to 300 lbs.

Agility/Flexibility/Balance:

• Ability to safely lift, transfer and/or position individuals with mobility impairments in wheelchairs.
• Ability to kneel, crawl, reach, rotate body position, reach into small spaces and run to maintain interaction with participants in programs who may need individualized assistance or close supervision.

Manual Dexterity:

• Ability to maneuver wheelchairs through narrow or small spaces, such as doorways, washrooms, and vehicles, while operating doors and lifts and lift wheelchairs over obstructions such as curbs, small stairs, and other barriers.
• Ability to manipulate a variety of objects such as eating utensils or G-tubes to perform personal care for participants as well as writing utensils, communication devices and recreation equipment of all types.

Stamina:

• Ability to work a varied schedule of days and hours.
• Ability to drive or ride long distances required for the program.
• Ability to keep pace with active participants who may be aggressive or a flight risk.

Psychological Considerations:

• Ability to work with individuals from all backgrounds and special interests in a respectable manner and to maintain a positive attitude in public places.
• Ability to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and handle stress in a calm, professional manner.

Environmental Considerations:

• Ability to perform in a variety of weather conditions, ranging from mild to severe, year round, and in facilities that may range in temperature, and/or have various exposures such as pool chemicals.
• Ability to perform in outdoor situations where there is potential exposure to poisonous plants, insects, and wild animals.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 21 years of age
• Enrolled in 4-year College or University in Therapeutic Recreation.
• Must have a valid driver's license. (in-state not necessary)
• Have an interest or experience working with children and adults with disabilities.
• Demonstrate dependability, promptness, flexibility and punctuality.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm in recreation programming and have the ability to engage in activities requiring physical exertion.
• Willingness to learn and accept new ideas.