RECREATION THERAPIST (BA)

Certified Recreational Therapist

The Certified Recreational Therapist is responsible for overseeing the therapeutic activities program. They ensure that the program aligns with the needs and interests of patients and is designed to restore and maintain optimal levels of physical and psychosocial functioning. The Recreational Therapist actively participates in treatment planning and the implementation of activity services for the inpatient population. This involves defining and carrying out treatment goals as part of the interdisciplinary treatment team, while providing continuous patient care, observation, interaction, and role modeling under the direction of the Rec Therapy Manager.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreational Therapy / Leisure Studies; a Certified Recreational Therapy Specialist (CTRS), or certification eligible Recreational Therapist. Alternative degrees: Bachelor's in Art Therapy, or Music Therapist. Must obtain CPR, Handle With Care, Verbal De-Escalation, and First Aid Certifications (INBH will provide).

Preferred qualifications include two (2) years of related experience, with knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques with understanding of mental illness.

Specific performance responsibilities include observing and documenting changes in patients' appearance, behavior, and ability to work towards treatment plan goals. Provides assessment in psychosocial/leisure and recreational skills development/deficiency. Communicate changes in patient's condition to Charge Nurse or Program Manager. Ensure timely documentation of interventions and ensure interventions are based on the patient's plan of care. Maintain current documentation in daily progress notes, including the patient's name, date of therapy, name of therapeutic group/intervention, and summary of the session. Monitor therapeutic space, supplies and equipment and ensures they are kept in a clean, orderly and safe condition. Provide direction, education, and in-service to other unit personnel regarding activity therapy. Carry out teaching activities identified in the treatment plan. Provide pertinent feedback to the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding patient response to therapy, treatment interventions, and therapeutic objectives, as appropriate and necessary. Contribute to treatment plan with specific goals and interventions to be achieved in progressive therapy/recreational therapy. Assist patients in achieving their optimum level of independent functioning.

Physical and sensory requirements include being physically fit and able to perform all required recreational therapy activities. Ability to work with various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric). Ability to work as a team player. Ability to stand, or walk up to six hours, sit for up to two hours. Ability to occasionally push/pull wheeled carts up to 200 lbs. (i.e. crash carts, patients on stretchers or in wheel chairs). Ability to frequently lift and carry up to 10 lbs. (charts, records). Ability to see well enough to read written material. Ability to discern a variety of odors. Ability to handle hazardous/infectious waste on an occasional basis. Ability to work in an environment where the noise level is frequently high where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may occasionally be present; and where dust, mist, and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.