Job Summary

We are searching for a Recreation Therapist — someone who works well in a fast-paced setting. In this position, you will plan, evaluate, organize, and implement therapeutic recreation programs in a developmentally and age-appropriate manner for patients ages 0 - adulthood.

Think you’ve got what it takes?

Responsibilities

• Provides population appropriate care for one or more of the following age groups routinely: Toddler, Preschool Age, School Age, Adolescent, and Young Adult. Considers developmental age in approach to and preparation of child. Handles and speaks to children or adolescents based on an understanding of developmental age. Implements safety measures that are appropriate to developmental age and medical diagnosis. Uses age-appropriate equipment, supplies, and interventions. Communicates appropriately with each developmental age group and their family
• Performs patient care and related activities. Completes standardized patient evaluations and reassessments to determine therapeutic recreational needs in accordance with hospital and department guidelines. Develops an individualized treatment plan of care incorporating patient and family needs and in accordance with hospital and program guidelines. In collaboration with patient and family, establishes measurable long term and short-term goals. Performs patient care and related activities within the scope of their training and responsibilities. Participates in ongoing communication and collaboration with other members of the patient's interdisciplinary care team. Coordinates treatment plan with all parties involved in the patient's care. Contributes to patient care by participating in weekly team conference and care progression rounds to effectively share information regarding patient participation and collaboration with team and family for potential community reintegration outings. 
• Provides instruction/education to patients and families/care givers. 
• Provides oversight for Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) Wheelchair Van. Follows all guidelines for maintenance including van preparation before and after outings, external and internal cleaning, engine, and tire service and other necessary mechanical or body shop needs. keeping Rehab Program Manager informed of needs. Ensures timely state inspections. Ensures proof of insurance document is always readily available accessible and in the van. Completes safety check prior to embarking upon each outing. Keeps accurate, up to date records of mileage, destinations, reasons for usage, maintenance services, as well as a listing of all individuals onboard the van for each trip. Provides original copies of all receipts related to the use and care of the wheelchair van to the Program Manager and the Fleet Service Manager via scanned copy. Provides orientation and training for all staff utilizing the van including emergency preparedness. Coordinates and communicates usage of IRU Van with other drivers to avoid conflicts.
• Maintains administrative functions for individual caseload. Documents patient’s evaluation results, objective status, progress towards goals, treatment plan and recommendations in compliance with hospital and departmental guidelines and accrediting associations. Utilizes appropriate computerized or standardized documentation methods as applicable to caseload. Schedules patients for treatment in coordination with rehab team. Communicates patient’s status and collaborates with physician, third-party payers, and relevant healthcare providers. Completes all required documentation for the IRU Therapeutic Community Outings including TCO Approval Forms, TCO goals, family agreement and emergency contact number exchange, and all IRU van documentation requirements.
• Provides support for activities initiated on behalf of the Inpatient Rehab Unit. In collaboration with IRU Leadership and participating staff, determines role and responsibilities in support of various initiatives; i.e., process improvement, quality improvement, etc. Coordinates all aspects of the role within budgetary guidelines and seeks guidance and assistance from others when necessary. Serves as Lead in the coordination and planning of the Annual Patient/Family Reunion: Venue rental and security fees, Date / Time of the event, Invitations, Theme, Activities, Supplies, Refreshments, Volunteers, Onsite Patient/Family registration/check-in, Set-up / Clean-up, Marketing and Publicity, Acknowledgements and Follow-up
• Participates in staff development. Plans, coordinates, and presents at least one (1) educational in-service per year to unit / departmental staff, and at least one (1) interdepartmental in-service to hospital, physicians, or community in addition to the scheduled post-workshop training. Provides new employees and new student orientation. Provides successful mentorship opportunities to less experienced professional staff (in area of specialty) as determined by evaluations completed by the "learner". Offers to share knowledge and skills willingly with peers. In collaboration with Rehab Team, participates in the departmental performance improvement plan; identifies opportunities for improvement, collects data, assists in data analysis, and implements deficiency resolution in accordance with the departmental guidelines.

Qualifications

• Being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including any booster dose(s) of the COVID-19 vaccine recommended by the Centers for Disease Control when eligible, is required for all employees at Texas Children’s unless approved for a medical or religious exemption.
• Required Bachelor's Degree Therapeutic Recreation
• Required Licenses/Certifications
  • CRTS - Cert-Recreation Therapy SPCLST by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation
  • DL ANY - DRIVER'S LICENSE ANY STATE
• 1-year Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) in physical dysfunction or pediatrics

Company Profile

Since 1954, Texas Children’s has been leading the charge in patient care, education and research to accelerate health care for children and women around the world. When you love what you do, it truly shows in the smiles of our patient families, employees and our numerous accolades such as being consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation by U.S.News & World Report as well as recognition from Houston Business Journal as one of this city’s Best Places to Work for ten consecutive years.

Texas Children’s comprehensive health care network includes our primary hospital in the Texas Medical Center with expertise in over 40 pediatric subspecialties; the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (NRI); the Feigin Center for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston. We have also created the nation’s first HMO for children, established the largest pediatric primary care network in the country and a global health program that is channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is also academically affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine, one of the largest, most diverse and successful pediatric programs in the nation.

To join our community of 14,000 dedicated team members, visit texaschildrenspeople.org for career opportunities. You can also learn more about our amazing culture at infinitepassion.org. At Texas Children’s Hospital, diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of our values and mission for the women and children that we serve. We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment for all faculty, staff and learners throughout our organization. We believe that each member of our one amazing team provides enrichment that allows us to create a lasting legacy for future employees of this great organization.

Texas Children’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants and employees are considered and evaluated for positions at Texas Children's without regard to mental or physical disability, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, genetic information, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or any other protected Federal, State/Province or Local status unrelated to the performance of the work involved.