RECREATION THERAPIST

PRIMARY PURPOSE: Plan, schedule and implement activities for the treatment cottages consistent with the overall hospital mission. Develop and implement Recreation Therapy interventions for Hillside youth related to goals/ problem areas in the clinical record.  Collaborate with multi- disciplinary treatment team to provide holistic approach to care.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

A. Provide Recreation Therapy services to Hillside clients that are therapeutic, safe, age-appropriate, creative, and culturally appropriate. Primary services will be delivered via groups addressing physical fitness, art, Leisure Education, social/life skills, DBT skills, Social Emotional Learning, and other areas deemed therapeutically relevant by RT clinical team.

B. Directly responsible for facilitation of RT services during school day, evening, and weekend hours. Assigned responsibilities for schedule modification necessary to accommodate campus needs.

C. Transport and supervise children involved in off-campus activities as necessary.

D. Coordinate the acquisition/inventory/maintenance of supplies and equipment as well as facilitate the use of Kids Club and movie/ game check out per department guidelines.

E. Responsible for the active direct supervision of all children assigned to his/her supervision as to their designated duties and responsibilities. Provide direction for developing and understanding an appreciation of the philosophy, function, and operation of the treatment program, as well as the structure and philosophy of service and treatment of Hillside.

F. Serve as a coach/ liaison for activity/ program planning for assigned cottages by collaborating with Cottage Supervisors, Lead Behavior Specialists, and direct care staff to develop opportunities that enhance cottage schedule.

G. Communicates and proactively seeks pertinent information on client behaviors, progress, and general concerns via Hillside email, participation in clinical rounds (2x per month for assigned cottages), and participation in scheduled staff meetings.

H. Participates in coordination and implementation of volunteer and on- campus special events as assigned by RT Director.

I. Perform all assigned duties in a safe manner by following Hillside policies and procedures.  Ensure proper ESI techniques are adhered to when involved in physical interventions.  Report all accidents/incidents in an expeditious manner. If involved in a work-related accident, follow the State of Georgia Worker’s Compensation Laws and Responsibilities and abide by the treating physician’s directions.

J. Responsible for completing a variety of paperwork on a daily basis.  This paperwork includes, but is not limited to: progress notes, attendance records, special procedure observation forms, incident reports, Emergency Safety Intervention records or reports, treatment received, monthly summaries, documentation of school behaviors on child’s daily tracking sheet/progress notes, completion of crossover report and any area of concern in accordance with record documentation policies.  Emphasis is placed on the neatness, correctness and timeliness of the paperwork.  Required to understand and maintain the confidential nature of all children and facility related activities with emphasis on the sensitivity of the child’s records.

K. Ensure Hillside’s Accessibility Plan is adhered to by assuring the removal of barriers to the greatest extent possible that may hinder those served, staff and/or other stakeholders.

L. Perform other duties as deemed necessary by Management.

GENERAL COMPETENCIES:

         Customer Focus

A. Promote positive image of Hillside with all contacts (customers)

B. Exhibit high quality of work

C. Contribute to development of a culture of care

            Teamwork

A. Take the initiative to act on own

B. Demonstrate cooperation

C. Be a productive member of the staff

            Communication

A. Communicate Effectively, clearly, and appropriately

B. Make use of supervision

C. Use excellent Judgment

CORE COMPETENCIES:

A. Plans therapeutically- driven experiential tasks that support Hillside’s mission and clinical foundation.

B. Facilitation of RT treatment services that support child/ adolescent growth and development as well as individualized clinical needs.

C. Completion of high- quality clinical documentation compliant with departmental guidelines.

D. Represents RT department as an engaged, professional, member of the multidisciplinary treatment team.

JOB SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES:

A. Creates activity plans that are diverse, address Social Emotional/ clinical/ departmental objectives, and have clear therapeutic goals.

B. Implement program services using a variety of activities, facilitation techniques, and methods of processing while providing strong leadership and coaching.

C. Ability to conduct formal and informal assessments and use findings to develop interventions and provide feedback via clinical summaries.

D. Serve as a liaison between department and treatment team for assigned cottages by attending team meetings for assigned cottages and providing/ receiving pertinent information to implement in program services.

EDUCATIONAL: BS in Therapeutic Recreation from accredited program                                   

CERTIFICATIONS: Must be credentialed as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by NCTRC.  Must be certified as a lifeguard or able to pass lifeguard training to obtain certification within designated timeline.  

WORK EXPERIENCE: Prefer one to three years in Recreation Therapy in a similar environment.  Internship experience may apply.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Must submit to an annual physical exam and be able to meet the following essential requirements:

A. Lift from 60 to 110 lbs. alone on recurring basis.  Lift 110 to 200 lbs. with assistance on recurring basis.

B. Able to withstand long periods of standing, walking, leading and/or taking part in physical exercise programs on a recurring basis.

C.  Be highly alert with very quick reflexes to respond to emergency situations and children.

MISCELLANEOUS REQUIREMENTS:             

A. Must not have a record of a felony or misdemeanor convictions.          

B. Must have a current valid State of Georgia Driver’s License. Must present an MVR dated within one week of request.

C. Must have a clear record of driving, meeting standards set in Hillside’s Driving Policy. 

SUPERVISION GIVEN: Supervision of children assigned to your groups and scheduled activities per policy (PM-18; Supervision of Children).

WORK SCHEDULE: Schedule may vary according to program needs.