Recreation Therapist

The recreation therapist helps patients build resiliency and life skills. Responsibilities include interviewing and observing patients to assess physical and mental status, capabilities, interests, rehabilitation needs, and planning appropriate interventions; designing and developing treatment programs and interventions addressing patients assessed needs; and developing treatment goals, evaluating patients progress toward goals, and revising goals as needed. Additionally, this position functions as a lead worker for the rehabilitation therapy aides.

Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors):

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation.

• One year recreation therapist experience.

• Completion of approved recreation therapist internships may substitute for the one year of required experience.

• National Council for Therapeutic Recreation certification is required within one year of employment.

• Other combinations of directly related education and experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Required for the first day of work:
• Knowledge of recreation therapy interventions and practices.
• Knowledge of psychology, human behavior, and development.
• Knowledge of individual and group therapy principles.
• Knowledge of recreational activities and related equipment.
• Knowledge of mental illness, chemical dependency, traumatic brain injury, developmental disabilities; medical and physical disabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write reports and make oral presentations.
• Ability to operate personal computer and general office equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, including using spreadsheets, word processing, database, email, internet, and other computer programs.

Physical and Environmental Demands: Position is required to move between work areas throughout the day as well as part of the offered activities to patients. Work will be performed primarily indoors, but will transition throughout the day between buildings. Additional activities will occur outdoors in varied weather conditions. Must be able to safely demonstrate and facilitate all types of leisure activities throughout the day and lift up to twenty pounds. Position may be required to assist in patient crisis interventions to include patient holds and restraints due to imminent safety risk of patient and/or others. Work hours could change occasionally due to special activities or events.

Eligible Training Assignment:

18.53