RECREATION THERAPY ASSISTANT | BEHAVIORIAL HEALTH SERVICES - RECREATION THERAPY | FULL-TIME DAY SHIFT (21033)

About the role

We are dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our diverse community. As a leading healthcare provider, we offer a supportive and inclusive work environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative setting, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is looking for a Recreation Therapy Assistant.

Responsibilities

• Deliver patient care responsibilities with knowledge of patient growth and development appropriate to the ages of patients served
• Provide on- and off-unit recreational activities in accordance with the unit program schedule as determined by the Program Director and the Director of Rehabilitation Services
• Implement and lead programs related to leisure education, stress reduction, social skills, reality orientation, communication skills, self-esteem, independent living skills, and physical exercise
• Use appropriate behavioral management techniques when interacting with patients
• Provide appropriate individual patient interventions during group activities and in the unit milieu
• Provide support and assistance to other clinical staff in group and individual therapeutic interventions
• Assist patients with activities of daily living as assigned, including vital signs, meal serving and monitoring
• Communicate effectively with the Charge Nurse and other treatment team members regarding patient needs, requests, and observed behaviors
• Take direction from the Unit Charge Nurse concerning patient care and management as appropriate
• Provide daily orientation to patients to the unit environment and scheduled program services, including maintaining daily posted patient schedule and patient assignments
• Maintain unit activity areas (day room, dining room, activity room, and other group rooms) to provide a clean, safe, and therapeutic environment; may include moving furniture, cleaning up after activities, wiping tables, organizing storage closets and pantries
• Conduct patient head counts as assigned
• Participate in monitoring precaution levels as assigned
• Assist with transporting patients to and from scheduled activities and other appointments
• Participate in activity program development in conjunction with other Rehabilitation Department staff
• Participate in the development and implementation of multidisciplinary treatment plans as appropriate
• Assist in creating an aesthetically pleasing unit environment and decorating for seasonal/holiday observances following hospital safety standards
• Document patients’ actions, behaviors, symptoms, significant verbal and non-verbal communications in prescribed format in the patient’s medical record per policy and procedure
• Follow Hospital-Wide, Behavioral Health, and Department of Rehabilitation policies and procedures
• Apply principles of infection control and safety in the work environment
• Understand and adhere to the Medical Center’s Code of Conduct
• Maintain established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards
• Promote adherence to the Patient's Bill of Rights
• Demonstrate customer service: respect, flexibility, knowledge, confidence, professionalism, pleasant attitude, patience, and helpfulness; all responses timely, professional, caring, and respectful per Customer Service Performance expectations
• Effectively utilize the hospital computer system as it pertains to job responsibilities and in accordance with hospital policy
• May assist patients during mealtimes, including patient observation and assistance with feeding
• May assist patients with ambulation, including walking about the unit and accompanying to the bathroom
• Identify problems and contribute to unit and department problem-solving processes
• Participate in unit committees and Performance Improvement activities as assigned
• Assist other personnel as necessary
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the department and organization

Qualifications

• Heartsaver/CPR Certification required
• 1 to 2 years experience as a direct service provider in a behavioral health facility preferred
• Technical skills required for patient care
• Good oral and written communication skills
• Good interpersonal skills
• Speaks, reads, and writes English to the extent required by the position

Education

High School graduate or equivalent required.

Physical Demands

• All patient care areas; contact with patients, visitors, staff
• Frequent prolonged standing/walking
• Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, crouching
• Mobility and manual dexterity

Pay

$23.58 per hour (commensurate with experience within posted range).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including competitive medical, dental, and vision plans
• Generous time off policy with ample vacation days, personal time, sick leave, and nine paid holidays
• Robust tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs for ongoing professional development