Contingent Recreational Therapist

Position Purpose

Captures a program of recreation therapy services to assist patients in recovery or adjustment to illness or disability, and to address specific social issues.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

• Confers with physicians and other clinical personnel to plan and implement individually tailored programs in Recreation Therapy.
• Assesses patients' functional status and collaborates with physicians and treatment team members to establish therapy goals.
• Schedules recreation therapy activities aligned with treatment goals.
• Provides group and individual therapy to help patients develop interpersonal relationships, relieve anxiety, and build confidence.
• Budgets program funds, manages inventory, and replaces equipment and supplies.
• Instructs patients on recreation therapy activities, participates in events, and observes and documents patients' progress.
• Documents patients' responses to therapy activities and contributes to treatment team meetings.
• Maintains knowledge of current trends and developments in the field through professional development.
• Coordinates community re-integration activities that teach or re-teach hobbies, sports, and games.
• May be responsible for case management duties such as discharge planning, referral source acknowledgment, and insurance coordination.
• Trains and supervises student interns and oversees Recreation Therapy aides.
• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships with patients, families, and staff.
• Approaches conflict constructively and assists in problem-solving and resolution.
• Maintains confidentiality of patient, physician, and employee information.
• Ensures safe working conditions and practices.
• Delivers compassionate, person-centered care according to age-specific, developmental, and cultural needs.

Required Education, Experience And Certification/Licensure

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