Recreation Therapist II - Adolescent/Children Inpatient Psychiatric Services

Recreation Therapist II

Employer: County of Santa Clara

Salary: $97,976.32 - $118,535.04 Annually

Location: San Jose Metropolitan Area, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 26-R1D-BHP2

Department: County-Wide Recruitment

Opening Date: 05/15/2026

Bargaining Unit: 01

Description

Under general supervision and using clinical expertise, evaluates the recreational therapy needs of inpatients and outpatients in a hospital setting. Develops, implements, and documents treatment plans and goals designed to meet these patient needs and acts as a clinical resource specialist to other therapists.

Distinguishing Characteristics The Recreation Therapist II is distinguished from the next lower class of Recreation Therapist I in that the Recreation Therapist II requires no more than minimal supervision for complex patient care, possesses clinical expertise in two or more areas of clinical practice, and has supervisory responsibility for interns, Recreation Therapy Assistants and Therapy Technicians. The Recreation Therapist II is distinguished from the next higher class of Recreation Therapist III in that the Recreation Therapist III has direct supervisory responsibility for Recreation Therapist Is and IIs, coordinates Therapeutic Recreation Services, and independently performs complex patient care.

This position is within Santa Clara Valley Healthcare's Acute Psychiatric facility, with a primary role on the Adolescent/Children Unit. This position will work collaboratively with Occupational Therapy and interdisciplinary team members on the Adolescent/Children Acute Psychiatric Unit to implement individualized and group therapy sessions.

Filing Period and Application Procedure Final Filing Date: Open until filled. The recruitment may be extended or closed as early as 7 days after the issue date. You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and to monitor this site for updated closing information.

Typical Tasks

Patient Care

• Performs complex patient care with advanced skills in clinical reasoning, problem-solving and treatment interventions;
• Determines therapy prognosis, including predicted optimal level of improvement in leisure functioning and the amount of time needed to reach that level and develops appropriate plans of care to meet the patients' identified goals;
• Implements leisure education programs for patients and their caregivers;
• Performs indirect patient care liaison to physician and other allied health disciplines duties such as communication/coordination of care with the patient, family/caregiver, and other professionals, discharge planning, documentation of all elements of patient management, patient care conferences, and charging for services provided;
• Makes appropriate referrals to various community agencies for patients in need of additional services;
• Plans and implements specialized outpatient programs;
• Plans, implements, and facilitates community outings;
• Develops adaptive recreational equipment;
• Manages own caseload of patients as assigned;
• Serves as a consultant in an area of clinical specialty to staff therapists.

Clinical Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises Recreation Therapy Assistants, students, interns, Therapy Technicians and volunteers as assigned, and conducts clinical competencies for same;
• Provides clinical guidance to other Recreation Therapists in areas of expertise;
• Assists Recreation Therapist III with training of staff therapists, assistants (PT and OT) and students;
• Leads other therapists working on special projects of who are assigned to satellite facilities;
• Provides orientation and training of new service personnel.

Administrative Tasks

• Prioritizes and schedules patient treatment as assigned;
• Conducts in-service and instruction to unit staff concerning patient programs;
• Participates in fundraising events to support recreational therapy program;
• Participates in hospital-wide special events;
• Assumes selected responsibilities of other staff during temporary absences;
• Participates in day to day operations of assigned service;
• Assists with development and implementation of service policies and procedures;
• Acts as a direct liaison to community agencies;
• Assists with the development and implementation of service goals and objectives.

Professional Development

• Participates in internal and external professional and educational activities to enhance personal and professional growth;
• Participates in hospital research as appropriate;
• Assists with program development as assigned.

Employment Standards

Certification, or eligibility for certification, by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC), the national credentialing organization for therapeutic recreation and recreation therapy or California Board of Recreation and Park Certification, to practice as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Some positions may require certification from California Children's Services as a Child Life Specialist. Possession of a valid California driver's license upon hire. Sufficient education, training and experience to demonstrate the knowledge and abilities listed below. Training and Experience Note: The knowledge and abilities are typically acquired through at least two (2) years professional experience and two or more specialty areas relevant to Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.

• Theory and practice of mental and physical rehabilitation;
• Basic human anatomy and physiology;
• Pathologies and injuries that result in physical impairment;
• Principles, methods, and theory of the practice of recreation therapy applied to complex patients;
• Basic understanding of the business aspects of therapy services, such as utilization management, charging practices and regulatory compliance;
• Basic principles of clinical supervision and clinical instruction;
• Regulatory practice requirements.

Ability to:

• Develop, implement and adapt treatment programs;
• Lead other therapists and aides;
• Apply advanced clinical skills in treating difficult and complex cases;
• Evaluate patients and interpret clinical data and make clinical judgments;
• Write clearly and concisely;
• Communicate effectively with patients, staff, and other health professionals;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with others;
• Efficiently manage time and priorities;
• Clinically supervise, train and evaluate staff;
• Instruct and provide consultation to therapists and other team members in designated clinical specialty;
• Demonstrate appropriate patient handling skills;
• Reach, grasp, manipulate and carry a variety of objects;
• Assist, support, lift and transfer patients.