Behavioral Health Recreational Therapist Contingent

Part time, rotating shift.

About the role

Coordinates a program of recreation therapy services to assist patients in recovering from, or adjusting to illness or disability, and in dealing with specific social problems. Confers with physicians and other treatment team members in planning, developing, and implementing therapeutic recreational treatment programs. Observes and studies patients' reactions to recreation therapy activities for signs of progress or regression. Budgets program funds and is responsible for inventory, storage, and replacement of equipment and supplies.

Responsibilities

• Confers with physicians and other clinical personnel to plan and implement individually tailored programs in Recreation Therapy to provide patients with exercise, social participation, and group interaction.
• Assesses patients' functional status and confers with physicians and other treatment team members in establishing individually tailored patient therapy goals consistent with diagnoses.
• Schedules recreation therapy activities consistent with treatment goals.
• Provides group and individual therapy to assist patients in developing interpersonal relationships, (re-socializing, relieving anxiety, and developing confidence to participate in social activities), leisure education, and adapted sports.
• Budgets program funds and is responsible for inventory, storage, and replacement of equipment. Contacts vendors, evaluates products, and recommends acquisition of needed supplies and equipment.
• Instructs patients in recreation therapy activities, participates in events, and observes physical, mental, and social progress of patients.
• Documents patients' reaction to various recreation therapy activities and contributes information and progress reports for use in treatment team meetings.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field by reading appropriate books, journals, and other literature and attending related seminars, conferences, and the like.
• Provides community re-integrative activities that teach or re-teach hobbies, sports, and game activities that allow the patient to use, in a practical way, what has been learned in all other therapies.
• May perform case management duties, including discharge planning, referral source acknowledgement, insurance company and family contacts, and other duties to coordinate the case.
• May train and supervise student interns.
• Supervises Recreation Therapy aides.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships. Approaches conflict in a constructive manner. Helps to identify problems, offer solutions, and participate in their resolution.
• Maintains the confidentiality of information acquired pertaining to patient, physicians, employees, and visitors.
• Assumes responsibility for performance of job duties in the safest possible manner, to assure personal safety and that of coworkers, and to report all preventable hazards and unsafe practices immediately to management.
• Provides quality patient care by considering the age-specific, developmental, and cultural needs through competent clinical practice. Demonstrates unit/area competencies.
• Behaves in accordance with the Mission, Vision, and Values of St. Joseph Mercy Health System.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation.
• Current certification in Recreation Therapy from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
• Six to twelve months of related experience.

Skills

• Knowledge of current theory and practice in therapeutic and rehabilitative recreation.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively with patients and families when providing therapy and with physicians and other treatment team members when gathering and exchanging patient progress information.
• Analytical skills necessary to design therapeutic recreational activities to meet desired objectives, observe and note significant patient behaviors, evaluate the effectiveness of the program, and administer an approved budget.
• Ability to concentrate and pay close attention to detail for up to 50% of work time when observing and instructing patients, and recording notes and observations.