Recreational Therapist / Behavioral Health / Autism Support Specialist

Job Title:  Recreational Therapist / Behavioral Health / Autism Support Specialist

General Job Description:

To provide IEP-based recreational therapy and social emotional support services to identified eligible special education students for the prevention of increased disability wherever possible, through a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and community reintegration field trips to help maintain or improve physical, social, and emotional well-being.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Conduct assessment of students referred through the evaluation process.
2. Participate in the program planning for individual students.
3. Provide intervention for student’s identified as needing service by the IEP team.
4. Demonstrate management skills.
5. Demonstrate professional competencies:

1. Assess needs using recognized methodologies.
2. Create treatment plans and programs that meet student needs and interests.
3. Plan and implement interventions to prevent harm to the student.
4. Engage students in therapeutic activities, such as games and field trips.
5. Help students learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
6. Teach students about ways to cope with anxiety or depression.
7. Knowledge of handicapping conditions, and their effects on sensory, motor, psychosocial, and cognitive development of students with disabilities.
8. Knowledge of local, federal, and state regulations and procedures pertaining to the provision of recreational therapy services in the school setting.
9. Knowledge of major theories, treatment procedures, and research relevant to providing recreational therapy services for children with disabilities.
10. Ability to select, administer, and interpret appropriate assessment instruments, and procedures taking into consideration the student’s age, developmental level, disability, and educational needs.
11. Ability to assess the functional performance of students with disabilities within the school environment.
12. Ability to engage in consensus decision making as a member of the IEP team.
13. Ability to plan, and implement evidence based intervention strategies and purposeful activities using direct therapy.
14. Ability to communicate effectively (orally and in writing) with educational personnel, administrators, parents, and community members.
15. Ability to explain the role of recreational therapy within the educational setting to educational personnel, administrators, parents, and community.
16. Ability to document assessment and intervention results in the proper manner for a school setting, and to relate this information to the educational goals of the student.
17. Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and modify according to a recreational therapy program within the educational setting.

1. Follow policies and administrative rules and regulations as specified in the board policy manual.
2. Medicaid notes are to be submitted 10 business days from the completion of service.

Assessment and Evaluation:

1. Evaluate new students enrolling in the program within a reasonable time.  If therapy is not indicated as a direct service, the therapist shall provide written input to the appropriate persons.
2. Use standardized tests, and customized measures and/or observation to evaluate the student in areas recreational therapy.
3. The therapist, with parental permission, may make home visits for the purpose of evaluating and possibly servicing the child within his/her home environment.
4. Evaluate treatment effectiveness by observation, testing, communication with family and other sources.

Planning and Treatment-Direct Services:

Utilize treatment procedures involving physical, sensory, manual, creative, and recreational or play activities that are designed to:

1. Address leisure function;
2. Provide therapeutic recreation services;
3. Increase access to recreation programs in the school and community;
4. Support leisure education.

Indirect Services:

1. Participate in the Individual Education Program Committee (IEP).
2. Use a team approach to planning and treatment with school personnel, families, physicians, and agencies.
3. Re-evaluate treatment program and revise goals.
4. Stress follow-through of recreational therapy goals in the classroom setting and support classroom goals in the therapy program.
5. Maintain a close working relationship with parents for follow-through of recreational therapy treatment goals in the home.
6. Provide training to the appropriate persons regarding effective methods to aid the mainstreamed student with a disability.
7. Maintain background, assessment, and treatment records in accordance with administrative policy and the Right to Privacy Law.
8. Assess and recommend adaptive equipment and devices for the student and/or the classroom as needed.
9. Attend department meetings as appropriate as needed.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred.
2. Current Licensure from the State of New Mexico in Recreational Therapy.
3. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
4. Valid Driver’s license and Car Insurance.

Ability To:

1. Maintain confidentiality with sensitive matters.
2. Be flexible and able to prioritize tasks and maintain accurate and detailed records.
3. Work independently with very little supervision.

Physical Requirements:

Sitting, standing, lifting, and carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, climbing, squatting, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required.

Safety and Health:

• Child Abuse/Substance Abuse Workshop
• Bloodborne Pathogens Standard Training

Equipment/Material Handled:

Must know how to properly operate, or be willing to learn to operate, multi-media equipment including current technology as needed.

Work Environment:

Must be able to work within various degrees of noise, temperature and air quality. Job responsibilities require both inside and outside assignments. Interruptions of work are routine. Flexibility and patience are required. Must be self-motivated and able to complete job assignments without direct supervision. Occasional after hour work may be required. Sitting, standing, lifting and carrying (up to 50 pounds), reaching, squatting, climbing stairs, kneeling, and moving light furniture may be required.                                                                              

WORKING CONDITIONS AND PHYSICAL EFFORT:
Employee's work:

Requirements While Performing Job:

Requirements for pushing, lifting, pulling, or carrying obstacles of weight

Must be capable of working under unusual conditions such as:

Vision Demand and Capabilities                                                       

 Hearing Demands and Capabilities

This position will be paid according to the Ancillary Salary Schedule: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yJkQrVQV_z4ltRUChQy4IQ8jTKXfX6n_/view  

Terms of Employment:

Board Approved Calendar

Reports to:

Director of Student Services.

Socorro Consolidated Schools provides all training required by OSHA to ensure employee safety.