Certified Recreation Therapist

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist – Per Diem
Schedule Hours: 8 AM – 4:30 PM Weekdays and Weekends as needed
Location: Long Beach, CA
Pay Range: $23.00 - $26.00 / Hour

Position Overview

The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) functions under the Director of Social Services to plan, develop, coordinate, and implement evidence-based therapeutic treatment programs and activities. Utilizing the APIE process (Assessment, Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation), the CTRS ensures that all clinical interventions are specifically tailored to meet the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional needs and interests of each patient within the facility. 

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, coach, train, and sign off on RT Internship hours.
• Ensure all documentation meets facility, state, and NCTRC standards. 
• Conduct activity groups and services of the Recreation Therapy Treatment Program, including assessments, group notes, 1:1 sessions, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
• Maintain quality verbal reporting and written documentation of patient involvement and progress.
• Coordinate treatment and unit activities with other programs and multidisciplinary staff.
• Represent Recreation Therapy on facility committees and in interactions with patients’ families and support systems.
• Document admissions, discharges, group participation, and complete screenings and treatment plan interventions within required time frames.
• Attend multidisciplinary treatment planning meetings.
• Complete data collection for performance improvement activities.
• Keep assigned areas clean, orderly, and safe.
• Work designated holidays as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• NCTRC Certification
• Bachelor’s degree in occupational, therapeutic recreation, art, music, or drama therapy required.  
• Minimum of two (2) years of direct service experience working with acute behavioral health in an inpatient hospital setting (internship or practicum hours may be considered)
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and effective in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments.
• Demonstrated sound professional judgment; clinical judgment where applicable to licensure/role.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and standard keyboard functions for data entry and electronic documentation
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read, write, and communicate fluently in English
• Current CPR, BLS, and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within90 days of employment
• Demonstrate understanding and be compliant with Patients' Rights, LPS Statutes, and Seclusion and Restraint Protocols.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual in English and Spanish or other languages commonly spoken by the patient population
• Prior experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for documentation and coordination of care
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams) and/or cloud-based communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, or other languages commonly spoken by the patient population
• Crisis prevention/intervention training (e.g., HWC, CPI, PMAB) or de-escalation certification
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and culturally responsive practices
• Leadership experience or demonstrated capacity to mentor others 

Physical & Mental Requirements

• Independent body mobility to frequently stand, walk long distance corridors, descend and the ability to bend, stoop and sit for a prolonged time. 
• May require significant strength and alertness in a crisis to apply non-violent crisis intervention to containment techniques, or to provide CPR. 
• Ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds. 
• Ability to safely assist with the physical management, lifting, or repositioning of adult patients, including those who may be physically resistive or assaultive, potentially weighing 100 pounds or more in accordance with facility safety protocols and training.
• Manual dexterity to reach, grasp, manipulate small objects, and precision instruments to give injections, take pulse and blood pressure; manual dexterity to hand write or use computer keyboard; sufficient vision to read gauges, thermometers, calibrated measuring instruments, labels on medications, and a computer screen; hear and speak well enough to communicate with patients at normal conversation level in person and over the phone. 
• May require fit testing for N95 respirator/facemask. 
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and effective in high-stress or crisis situations. 
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments Demonstrated sound professional judgment; clinical judgment where applicable to licensure/role.

Environmental Requirements

• Depending on assignment of position may be required to work in a locked unit with juveniles, formerly incarcerated, and individuals assigned to guardianship who have complex social, and psycho-social needs; may be assigned to evening or night shift, assigned to work weekends, and to work holidays as needed as Ocean View is a 24-hour, 7 day a week facility and coverage is essential; environment can be noisy and sporadically chaotic, and may be exposed to hostile patients and profanity.

Special Conditions

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Live Scan fingerprinting, background check clearance, and verification of required licenses, certifications, and education
• Satisfactory completion of professional reference checks
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; Ocean View does not provide visa sponsorship for certain roles unless otherwise specified
• Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), The Joint Commission, and HIPAA standards
• Compliance with all required health screenings and immunizations in accordance with regulatory guidelines and facility policy, which may include tuberculosis (TB) testing, N95 fit testing, annual trainings, and proof of vaccination for certain communicable diseases

• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or variable shifts as needed, based on operational or patient care needs