Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
About The Position
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist plans, directs, and implements activity therapy programs as part of patients’ treatment plans. The role assesses patients’ needs, skills, interests, and limitations, then develops and leads therapeutic activities intended to support treatment goals and patients’ mental and physical well-being. Activities may include therapeutic leisure skills, leisure education, sports, dance, music, art, relaxation techniques, exercise, games, and community outings. The specialist also helps patients develop social skills and modifies activities to meet the needs of specific groups. This is a full-time opportunity on a collaborative behavioral health team at CenterPointe Hospital.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy, or a related field.
- Three or more years of recreation experience in a healthcare setting, with knowledge of the patient population served by the facility.
- CTRS, currently in the process of obtaining national certification, certification in a specialty area such as art, dance, or music, or clinical professional licensure such as LCPC or LPC with expressive therapy certification.
- CPR certification.
- De-escalation and restraint certification; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree.
- Previous experience in recreation in a healthcare setting.
- First aid may be required depending on state or facility requirements.
Responsibilities
- Assess patients through observation and interviews with patients and families to identify needs, skills, interests, and limitations.
- Plan, organize, direct, and implement activities within the treatment program to support patient progress toward treatment goals.
- Plan and implement programming in therapeutic leisure skills, leisure education, and leisure awareness.
- Facilitate and lead activity sessions to improve patients’ mental and physical well-being.
- Instruct patients in activities and techniques, including sports, dance, music, art, and relaxation techniques, based on their needs.
- Develop treatment plans and implement activity interventions that meet patient needs and interests and support treatment goals.
- Engage patients in therapeutic activities such as exercise, games, and community outings.
- Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
- Modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
- Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude; acknowledge and work to resolve unmet patient needs or complaints; prioritize patient safety.
- Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
