Recreational Therapist

Summary

As part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the Recreational Therapist evaluates patients, and develops a plan of care with interventions designed to maximize their physical, intellectual and social functioning. Recreation and activity therapies will be individualized according to each patient’s capabilities, interests and needs to best improve health outcomes by fostering effective interactions, patients identifying and implementing coping skills, engaging in healthy exercise, leisure and recreational interests and prioritizing independence in caring for self.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

These duties and responsibilities described below represent the general tasks performed on a daily basis; other tasks may be assigned.

• Attend treatment team huddles and coordinate care in close collaboration with other treatment team members (i.e., physician, psychiatrist, nurse, community service board clinician, case manager, etc.)
• Completes progress notes on interventions conducted and patient response.
• Stimulate patients’ interest and cooperation in various individual and group activities and therapeutic interventions.
• Engage patients at their level of functioning with recreation, movement, art, music, psychoeducation, and/or other empirically supported therapeutic intervention.
• Utilize effective strategies for the management of emotional and behavioral crises.
• Provide appropriate crisis intervention as necessary by anticipating and responding quickly to escalating behaviors, utilizing de-escalation techniques to diffuse the situation, correctly prioritizing safety concerns, following proper restraint technique guidelines, and displaying neutral emotions.
• Link behavioral health patients to services and supports specified in their Individualized Service Plan.
• Assist the individual directly for the purpose of locating, developing, or obtaining needed services and resources.
• Make collateral contacts with the individuals' significant others to promote implementation of the service plan and community adjustment.
• Demonstrate knowledge of referral/placement process and available community resources.
• Oversee patient engagement and morale, maintaining a warm and positive environment that is supportive of individual choices, enriching, homelike, safe, and nurturing for people in mental health crisis receiving emergency stabilization services.
• Collaborate with the clinical team to ensure effective communication and progress monitoring.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

Reports to: Behavioral Health Director

Supervises: n/a

Responsibilities: n/a

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education And Experience

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an accredited institution in therapeutic recreation or related field.

Experience: 1 year of experience working with behavioral health diagnoses required.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

QMHP eligible, as defined by the Virginia Board of Counseling.

Must be fully QMHP registered with the Virginia Board of Counseling within 6 months of hire.  

BLS Certification required. If not current upon hire, must complete BLS certification within 90 days of hire. 

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Certification is preferred.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Separate sheet documenting description of physical demands and working conditions must be included/attached as last page of the finalized job description.