Recreational Therapist II

About the role

The Utah State Developmental Center is seeking a compassionate and energetic Recreational Therapist to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a background in therapeutic recreation and a passion for working with individuals with special needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead or functionally supervise staff; delegate work assignments, monitor/review quality of work, schedule staff, provide technical assistance or training, and/or provide input on performance appraisal, hiring and discipline.
• Prepare and recommend therapeutic recreation, leisure education, and diversionary recreation activities for individual clients, groups and units.
• Adapt program(s) to meet specific needs or concerns.
• Write, implement, and provide documentation of individual client's treatment; maintain records to comply with federal requirements and write reports indicative of progress or regression.
• Maintain records to comply with federal requirements.
• Act as a resource to team members, participate in team and professional meetings, and give input as to needs of clients.
• Provide clients with information concerning rights, options, benefits, services, goals and expectations.
• Coordinate and/or act as a liaison between agency or work unit and other agencies, work units, organizations, suppliers, etc.

Qualifications

• Licensure as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in Utah.
• Follows all practices and requirements of the Recreational Therapy Practice Act and the Recreational Therapy Practice Rule, including HIPAA compliance in all situations.
• Identify developmental needs of others and coach, mentor, or otherwise help others to improve their knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Evaluate treatment effectiveness.
• Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally.
• Maintain and/or repair tools and equipment.
• Observe details at close range and at a distance.
• Observe physical conditions, behavior or surroundings for potential areas of concern or inappropriate activity.
• Hear sounds that may indicate potential areas of concern or inappropriate activity.

Preferred or Trainable/on-the-job Qualifications

• Understands and is passionate about the need of recreational therapy for individuals with special needs.
• Enthusiastic, flexible, and willing to try things they haven't done before.
• Experience working with the intellectually disabled population.
• Experience in the recreational therapy field.
• A good foundation of knowledge on how to write programs and goals for those with recreational needs.

About The Role

This is a lead level job. The incumbent is an expert in the field of recreational therapy and functionally supervises staff; provides the full range of recreational therapy activities to Deaf, Hard of Hearing youth and families, patients or residents of a state institution. Therapeutic recreational duties could include one of two types: Plan and implement therapeutic socialization programs and events which include at least one organized Deaf/Hard of Hearing sports program, summer social/recreation program for deaf youth, social/recreational activities for Deaf/Hard of Hearing teens, and educational/support activities for families with Deaf/hard of Hearing youth. Prepares and recommends therapeutic recreation, leisure education, and diversionary recreation activities for individual clients, group activities and units activities. Performs recreational therapy assessments and interest surveys and implements recreational therapy programs for individual clients. Supervises therapeutic exercises, leisure education and recreation activities. May require POST or any other safety sensitive requirement.

Location

895 N 900 E, American Fork, Utah, 84003 United States

Background Check Required

You must successfully pass a criminal history check.

Drug Test Required

No

Schedule Code

AX - Employees in supervisory positions

Why You Should Join Our Team

• Job Stability: Enjoy the security and reliability of employment within a well-established organization.
• Career Growth: Develop valuable skills and gain opportunities for leadership within a large organization.
• Meaningful Work: Contribute to an important service that benefits the community and supports organizational goals.
• Supportive Work Environment: Be part of a team that values cooperation, strong work ethics, and mutual support.

The Agency

The mission of the Utah State Developmental Center is to serve as "a statewide resource center for people with disabilities while promoting opportunity through choice and outcome based support." This will be accomplished by providing critical services, support and resources for the intellectually disabled individuals that reside at our facility.

EEO Statement

The State of Utah is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.