Therapeutic Recreation Aid

JOB SUMMARY:

Conducts comprehensive recreational therapy services designed to facilitate the psychosocial rehabilitation of psychiatric patients in an acute psychiatric health care facility. Reports directly to the Therapeutic Recreation Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

1. Explains the benefits and orients patients to the therapeutic recreation program.
2. Devotes time specifically, interacting with the patients and staying the duration of the session.
3. Observing patient's interest levels and behaviors while motivating her/him toward therapeutic recreation activities which are beneficial to them. Maintains an awareness of patient's needs and individual goals.
4. Leading and executing planned therapeutic recreation sessions.
5. Understands the abilities and special needs of specific age groups.
6. Completes documentation accurately and timely including intervention used and patients progress.
7. Listens attentively to any patient complaints and works in a positive manner to help alleviate the problem. Assists in limit setting in a firm but kind manner, treating all individuals with respect and kindness.
8. Assists patients in developing an understanding of benefits of ongoing health and fitness. Assist patients to improve social interaction, coping skills, problem solving, anger management skills and any skills that relates to address the functioning of the therapeutic recreation domains (physical, emotional, cognitive, social and spiritual) to increase overall quality of life.
9. Maintain safety checks for therapeutic recreation supplies including counting all supplies before and after group ensuring no supplies are missing.
10. Conducts therapeutic recreation assessment on each patient within 48 hours admission. Long-term patients will be reassessed yearly for any changes.
11. Maintains observation of patients and shares appropriate information with charge nurse, supervisor and other co-workers.
12. Maintains cleaning logs for multipurpose rooms, supplies and equipment.

  ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Receives a thorough report from nursing staff before taking patients to off unit group activities and before providing on unit therapeutic recreation sessions.
2. Attends and participates in Recreation department meetings and may be asked to work on committees or teams.
3. Understanding treatment planning process and how it correlates with providing active treatment interventions for quality outcome based recreation therapy to help reach goals.
4. Works with the multidisciplinary treatment team to develop and implement individualized therapeutic recreation interventions.
5. Self-motivating - does not need to be reminded of specific or general duties by peers or supervisor. Works well and cooperates with staff in other departments. Reports concerns in a timely manner to direct supervisor.
6. Performs non-patient duties between responsibilities such as cleaning sinks, art room counters at the end of day, and putting exercise equipment away. May be asked to transport patients to various therapeutic recreation activities, and attend therapeutic community outings.
7. Checks with supervisor to approve spending.
8. Maintains supplies and keeps inventory, ordering from central supply and kitchen.
9. Keeps aware and helps enforce hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
10. May assist in orientation of new employees.
11. Must learn to use various copiers or fax machines.
12. Exercises good judgment and sets positive examples, using TQM principals.
13. Other duties as assigned.

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:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Prior experience working with people in an therapeutic recreation activity, supportive, or service capacity is preferred.

Completion of MEPAP 1 course is preferred.

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret instructions, documents and follow procedures.

Ability to write routine reports and speak effectively with patients and their families, employees, and public.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables as needed. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration:

Valid West Virginia driver’s license.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to work flexible hours,

Ability to work with children, adolescents or adults experiencing mental health disturbances or dual diagnoses.