Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Position Summary:  Are you ready to love what you do?  

Assess elder’s leisure skills, interests, and desire for meaning in order to develop a variety and balance of programs to increase the quality of life and meaningful activities of the elders who live at SJH.

Coach/mentor team members to participate in engaging elders in meaningful opportunities and promoting their desires and life style choices.

Qualifications & Education Required: What is required to be successful on the job?

• High school diploma or GED required, and 2 years of experience in an age-appropriate social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient or resident activities program in a health care setting required
• Bachelor’s degree in TR or related human service field preferred
• Prior experience with older adults and people living with dementia preferred
• Ability to interact with elders and care for their needs
• Willingness to embrace and exemplify St. John’s Brand Characteristics

Core Organizational Competencies: What are the expectations of me at St. John’s?

• St. John’s Brand Characteristics - Embrace living by being Friendly, Respectful, Responsive, Compassionate, Innovative and Fun towards elders, families and colleagues.  
• Teamwork - Actively participates. Assists team members; offers encouragement. Acknowledges/welcomes elders. Keeps team members informed. Recognizes achievements and efforts of others. 
• Job Knowledge - Consistently demonstrates working knowledge of all aspects of job. Remains current on job related changes and trends.
• Planning/Organization - Demonstrates initiative; plans appropriately. Uses time, materials, resources effectively. Organizes work to ensure commitment and priorities.
• Productivity - Consistently maintains high activity and efficiently produces acceptable volume of work. Consistently meets deadlines and commitments.
• Quality - Consistently produces accurate, timely work which meets required quality standards. Pays attention to detail. Sets high standards of performance for self and actively seeks continuous improvement. Provides elder-driven care.
• Reliability - Consistently delivers on commitments. Can be counted on to accomplish tasks without follow up. Available when required by elder or team and can be counted on to help or assist when needed. Responds in a timely manner.
• Demeanor (attitude) - Embraces change with optimism. Addresses concerns appropriately. Positively communicates. Good listener. Consistently maintains a positive demeanor.

Position Competencies: What are the required skills that set me apart from other candidates?

• Utilizes community resources effectively
• Supports education and peer-to-peer coaching
• Advocates for, and bring meaning to people, particularly those living with dementia
• Discharge and transition planning to maintain meaningful lives
• Speedy and timely decision maker
• Committed to making a difference and excellent customer service
• Uses resources wisely around department budgets
• Values continual improvement
• Passes on information to coworkers
• Shifts priorities as needed
• Strong organizational skills
• Good judgment about people
• Shows sensitivity for others
• Is a collaborative team player
• Enjoys being around people who are different
• Adapts appropriately to cultural differences
• Takes responsibility for their actions
• Maintains confidentiality when requested
• Spontaneous, fun, and playful
• Can make tough decisions when necessary

Essential Functions: What will I be doing to make an impact?

• Work as a part of the interdisciplinary team to address recreation and leisure needs, problems, goals and interventions
• Identify and share what meaningful activities mean to each elder
• Balance individual, neighborhood, and community opportunities for meaningful engagement
• Actively participate in care plan, rounds; and other meetings
• Complete MDS and care plan pieces in a timely manner, and in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team
• Documentation responsibilities which include but are not limited to: leisure assessment, prior leisure interests, and progress notes. Documentation to be in accordance with facility and regulatory agency guidelines
• Provide education and resource counseling to elders, families and staff regarding leisure opportunities
• Refer to and collaborate with other disciplines (i.e.: spiritual care, music therapy, volunteers, hospice, psychiatry, therapies) as appropriate
• Design and execute a monthly calendar of therapeutic recreation programming considering the needs and interests of assigned units/facility
• Collaborates with the SJH team to organize, design, and execute community programs in/out of the facility
• Facilitate the planning and execution of community outings, enabling elders to maintain community ties, and participate as desired
• Maintain necessary paperwork around department spending, receipts, and other assorted documentation
• Actively involved in own development of position related competencies    
• Other duties assigned as necessary to support St. John's mission, vision, values

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent moving and lifting, pushing, pulling and bending (up to 50 pounds). Frequently squatting and occasionally reaching.

Exposure to Conditions:

• May provide care to individuals with infectious diseases. May be subject or exposed to experiences that involve physical aggression.