RECREATIONAL THERAPY SPECIALIST_

Nashua

Summary

The Recreational Therapist is responsible for providing high quality patient care, displaying good skills in assessment of patients’ functional needs and outcomes; consulting with and participating as part of the patients’ treatment team. The Recreational Therapist effectively participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team and the unit community relations team. The Recreational Therapist reviews patients’ functional needs and will adjust care plans to assist patients in expressing their emotions and experiences in a safe and controlled manner, ensuring optimal patient outcomes. Depending on Program needs and the Recreation Therapist’s education and training, the recreational therapist may function in a variety of therapeutic roles.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

+ Supports and promotes the mission and values of Covenant Health Ministry.

+ Respects patient rights and organizational ethics

+ Conducts and adjusts therapies in accordance with patient diagnosis and needs.

+ Implements a treatment plan of care for patients based on a thorough assessment of the patient’s symptom presentation, professional/referral input, and all other available data. Completes individualized and group therapies to ensure optimal outcomes.

+ Conducts therapy practice within defined standards of care.

+ Completes progress notes and assessments according to program procedures.

+ Participates as an active member of the interdisciplinary team.

+ Communicates effectively with other professional and support staff to achieve positive patient outcomes.

+ Practices hospital and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards

+ Conducts group therapy sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of group therapy principles and group therapy techniques.

+ Engages in timely, efficient discharge planning. Works in close conjunction with patient family, nursing staff, social workers and attending physician.

+ Displays thorough knowledge of available community therapeutic resources.

+ As directed, conducts group therapy sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of group therapy principles/psychopathology and effective group therapy techniques.

+ As directed, conducts activity therapy sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of activity therapy principles/psychopathology and effective group therapy techniques.

+ As directed, conducts educational group sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of subject matter and effective communication skills in presenting material.

+ Provides group and individual therapies on weekends as directed by supervisor.

+ Provides ongoing education to patients and families as needed.

+ Conducts educational group sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of subject matter and effective communication skills in presenting material.

+ Provides resources and support for patients before, during, and after treatment of patients.

+ Is a member of the Referral Development Committee. Effectively participates in the referral development process.

+ Actively involved in measuring patient performance; communicates results and trends to supervisor.

+ Provides feedback to supervisor on an ongoing basis regarding concerns, improvements, changes, etc.

+ Attends Unit and Hospital meetings as directed.

+ Identifies areas needing improvement and utilizes the facility performance improvement process. Actively participates in department processes as requested.

+ Enhances professional growth and development of self and others through participation in educational programs, in-service meetings, and workshops. Keeps up to date on professional literature.

+ Ensures confidentiality of all information encountered.

+ Maintains professional interactions with peers, senior management, and staff through effective written and verbal communications.

+ Assists with ambulating and lifting patients as needed.

+ Complete and maintain CPI Training.

+ Checks email daily and responds timely.

+ Other duties as consistent with this role.

Job Requirements

Job Knowledge and Skills:

+ Proficient in software applications

+ Effective presentation skills

+ Ability to manage stress appropriately.

+ Ability to make decisions under pressure.

+ Ability to manager anger, fear, hostility and/or violence of others appropriately

+ At all times, conducts oneself ethically in accordance with all relevant standards and regulations.

+ Maintains knowledge of and demonstrates respect for patient rights.

+ Works sufficient hours to ensure effective performance. Coordinates work hours with supervisor.

+ Maintains a positive attitude/public image while in the facility and in all work-related activities outside of the facility.

+ Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

+ Ability to read and comprehend moderate to complex instructions and correspondence.

+ Ability to write detailed correspondence.

+ Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to patients and their families, Program leadership, employees, clients, providers, vendors, etc.

+ Completes and maintains all required state/regulatory, hospital competencies and training/education expectations on a timely basis.

Education and Experience

+ A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with a major recreational therapy or a related field is preferred.

+ Certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreations Certification (NCTRC) preferred, if applicable.

+ Graduate of an accredited therapy program preferred, if applicable.

+ Minimum one year internship or experience in a similar position and/or industry strongly preferred

+ Enhances professional growth and development through participation in educational programs, in-service meetings, and workshops, keeping up to date on professional literature strongly preferred.

+ Maintain effectiveness and certification in required patient management protocols strongly preferred.

+ Is knowledgeable of hospital and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement program, safety, environmental and infection control standards.

An equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed above may be substituted for the above education and experience requirements.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

Must p ossess the physical and mental abilities to perform the tasks normally associated with this position that involves a combination of sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, and reaching. Occasional lifting/carrying up to 25 lbs. Some stress related to high level of responsibility for quality care.

Americans with Disabilities Statement

Must be able to perform all essential functions of this position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Covenant Health reserves the right to modify position duties at any time, to reflect process improvements and business necessity.

Standard of Business Conduct

Every St Joseph Hospital employee is required to abide by the Standards of Conduct and to report any activity that appears to violate the Standards of Conduct.

Covenant Health Mission Statement

We are a Catholic health ministry, providing healing and care for the whole person, in service to all in our communities.

Our Core Values:

Compassion

We show respect, caring and sensitivity towards all, honoring the dignity of each person, especially the poor, vulnerable and suffering.

Integrity

We promote justice and ethical behavior, and responsibly steward our human, financial and environmental resources.

Collaboration

We work in partnership, dialogue and shared purpose to create healthy communities.

Excellence

We deliver all services with the highest level of quality, while seeking creative innovation.

We are an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, disability status, gender, sexual orientation, ancestry, protected veteran status, national origin, genetic information or any other legally protected status