Recreational Therapist

Overview

At Nationwide Children’s Hospital, we are passionate about integrating physical health with behavioral health and aspire to serve as champions for the holistic wellbeing of children. The Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion is a state-of-the-art facility and a cornerstone of our mission to deliver innovative, comprehensive behavioral health care for children experiencing mental illness.

This position supports behavioral health services at the Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion and may include work in the Youth Crisis Stabilization Unit, Inpatient Psychiatric Units, Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program, and the Psychiatric Crisis Department and Extended Observation Suites.

Job Description Summary

Evaluates and screens patients, establishes treatment goals, and implements treatment plans. Provides patient and family education, completes discharge planning, and documents results and progress in the medical record.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Evaluates and screens patients to determine therapeutic recreational needs, identifies strengths and deficits, establishes long and short-term goals, and develops an individualized treatment plan incorporating patient and family needs.
• Administers treatment intervention to meet each patient’s specific needs and achieve their goals. Observes progress or changes in patient’s condition and modifies treatment plan accordingly.
• Facilitates the patient’s adjustment into the hospital and improvements in the patient’s self-perception of body image and function.
• Documents evaluation results, objective status, progress towards goals, treatment plan, and recommendations in compliance with documentation requirements of the hospital and accrediting associations. Utilizes appropriate computerized or standardized documentation methods, as applicable to caseload.
• Educates on treatment goals and therapy plan, instructs on therapeutic activities to follow while in hospital or at home, and documents instruction. Evaluates ongoing compliance and understanding.
• Recommends and secures patient referrals to community agencies to ensure continuity of care.
  
  

Education Requirement

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation from an accredited school or completion of professional experience path requirements as defined by NCTRC.

Certifications

• Certification as a Therapeutic Specialist through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation certification, required.
• CPR certification no later than 60 days post hire or post expiration, required.
  
  

Experience

One year experience as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), preferred.

Physical Requirements

OCCASIONALLY: Biohazard waste, Climb stairs/ladder, Cold Temperatures, Driving motor vehicles (work required) *additional testing may be required, Fume /Gases /Vapors, Hot Temperatures, Lifting / Carrying: 41-60 lbs, Pushing / Pulling: 41-60 lbs, Working Outdoors

FREQUENTLY: Bend/twist, Blood and/or Bodily Fluids, Chemicals/Medications, Communicable Diseases and/or Pathogens, Computer skills, Lifting / Carrying: 21-40 lbs, Patient Equipment, Pushing / Pulling: 26-40 lbs, Squat/kneel

CONTINUOUSLY: Audible speech, Color vision, Decision Making, Depth perception, Flexing/extending of neck, Hand use: grasping, gripping, turning, Hearing acuity, Interpreting Data, Lifting / Carrying: 0-10 lbs, Lifting / Carrying: 11-20 lbs, Peripheral vision, Problem solving, Pushing / Pulling: 0-25 lbs, Reaching above shoulder, Repetitive hand/arm use, Seeing – Far/near, Sitting, Standing, Walking

"The above list of duties is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this classification. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties performed by the individuals so classified, nor is it intended to limit or modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under their supervision. EOE M/F/Disability/Vet"