RECREATION THERAPIST II/CORRECTIONAL HEALTH

Position Overview Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Recreation Therapist II vacancies related to the DOJ Consent Decree. Applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment. Prior to the end of the initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance, which will be weighted 100%. Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Recreation Therapist II. Benefits Up to 20% recruitment and retention bonus for full‑time Recreation Therapist II positions. New appointments and incumbents will be compensated at step 3 of the applicable salary range until June 30, 2024. Responsibilities Plans, organizes, and directs a recreation therapy program designed to assist patients in hospital, clinic, or institutional settings, including conception and demonstration projects. Supervises and conducts individual and group therapeutic recreational, social, and physical treatment modalities, including therapeutic intervention, instruction, leadership, and counseling techniques focused on restoring physical, mental, and social capabilities. Selects, administers, analyzes, and interprets a variety of standardized and non‑standardized assessment techniques of cognitive and social skills, affective behavior, and sensory‑motor integration to evaluate patients; provides appropriate interventions based on ongoing interpretation of assessment data supporting treatment goals. Defines recreation therapy goals and objectives, and implements recreation therapy programs through effective use of subordinate staff, facilities, equipment, and supplies. Contributes to medical and rehabilitative services by participating in case, colleague, and systems consultations; serves on special committees representing recreation therapy in hospitals, institutions, departmental, or community settings. Conducts and/or coordinates social/leisure discharge planning, community adjustment programs, and referral and patient‑family education services to assist patients in reintegrating into the community. Develops and maintains liaison with community agencies and recreation facilities to encourage participation in recreation therapy and coordinate after‑care follow‑up programs. Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of current recreation therapy programs and services, revising or modifying programs to meet changing needs. Documents treatment services in accordance with departmental, local, state, federal, and JCAHO regulations and standards. Delegates responsibilities and assigns treatment procedures to subordinate recreation therapy personnel and students; reviews work and may prepare performance evaluations. Orients new staff and members of the inter‑disciplinary team to therapeutic recreation procedures and the role of recreation therapy; provides ongoing informal and formal in‑service training. Provides technical guidance to subordinate staff and students by instructing and training them in therapeutic methods and recommending appropriate treatment modalities and intervention. Evaluates current and future needs for facilities, supplies, and equipment; prepares and submits budget requests and follows through with ordering supplies and equipment. Attends and participates in professional conferences, seminars, and workshops. Minimum Requirements Graduation from an accredited college or university with a specialization in Recreation Therapy or Therapeutic Recreation, AND two (2) years of experience practicing as a Recreation Therapist at the level of Recreation Therapist I. A Master’s degree in Recreation Therapy or a specialization in Therapeutic Recreation may substitute for one year of the required experience. Licenses & Certifications Current certification to practice as a Recreation Therapist issued by the California Board of Parks and Recreation Certification, OR current certification to practice as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. A valid California Class C driver license or an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job‑related essential functions. A valid California Class B driver license may be required for some positions. Physical Demands Physical Class III – moderate. Requires standing or walking most of the time, bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10–25 pounds. Equal Opportunity & Fair Chance Los Angeles County is a Fair Chance employer. Unless you receive a contingent offer of employment, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history. If asked, only convictions or court records exempted by a valid court order must be disclosed. #J-18808-Ljbffr County of Los Angeles