Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist Float

Stony Brook University•Town of Brookhaven, NY

4d•Onsite

About The Position

At Stony Brook Medicine, a Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist is a valuable member of the team. A therapeutic recreation program is defined as a professional service that assists people with disabilities and other limitations to have a leisure life-style that encompasses functional independence, health and well-being through treatment, education and participation. Functional therapeutic activities are practiced in clinical, community and residential treatment. As a FTA staff member, the individual would, individually or as a member of a treatment team or treatment program, plan and conduct activities for client/patient groups. The goal of each program is to bring about positive change in a client’s/patient’s mental, physical and/or social behavior. The individual would lead life skills training groups and leisure activities.

Requirements

A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a functional therapeutic activities area such as Recreational Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy or other related category from an accredited college, and one year of full time experience in planning and administering a therapeutic program, which involved developing and coordinating therapeutic activities for psychiatric patients/residents; individuals with developmental disabilities; individuals that are physically challenged or individuals in treatment for chemical dependency; in a hospital or heath care or related facility.
Have or have had previous PMCS or similar crisis prevention training.
Superior verbal calming/de-escalation skills.
Have a philosophy of person-centered, trauma-sensitive, and recovery-focused care.
Excellent communication skills and teaching ability in informal and classroom settings.
Willing to travel to provide and/or participate in education/training events as needed to develop PMCS training and coaching skills.
Must frequently move about the hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors to service patients.
Will also aid with the transport of patients.
Responsible for responding to alarms/codes, detecting and communicating situations that may cause harm to the patient, or others, responding to and communicating requests for assistance.
As necessary, use physical interventions and techniques when securing and applying restraints on patients and move restrained patients; as necessary.
Will also restrain agitated patients and aid with lifting patients.
Successfully complete pre-employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from Stony Brook Medicine's Employee Health Services.
Complete electronic reference check with a minimum of three (3) professional references.
Successfully complete a 4 panel drug screen.
Meet Regulatory Requirements for pre employment screenings.
Provide a copy of any required New York State license(s)/certificate(s).

Nice To Haves

5 years of experience, 2 years specialty experience in Acute Psychiatry.
Current certification or license associated with field of study.
Experience/training in crisis management and crisis prevention and associated training.
Attend PMCS “Train the Trainer” Training to become an instructor if applicable.
Attend regional The Six Core Strategies© (philosophy, curriculum) when offered and develop coaching/mentoring skills when offered.

Responsibilities

Promote, plan and carry out programs and activities according to field of specialty as directed.
Directly monitor and evaluate patient response to programs and activities offered and inform the treatment team of requests and response.
Maintain inventory of relevant supplies, and inform Supervisor of supply needs for specific functions.
Prepare the area for the comfort and safety of the patients to provide the maximum therapeutic value of the session.
Supervise adjunct staff/students when necessary.
Evaluate patient’s progress and status and work with the treatment team to provide a therapeutically effective program to meet the patient’s needs.
As an integral member of the treatment team, will interface with other staff such as nursing, social work and therapy staff, to provide each patient with a comprehensive therapy and care program.
Document attendance statistics and progress notes, and document patient progress. Share relevant information about patients with other department/disciplines, as necessary to benefit the patient and assist other care staff.
Participate in Crisis Prevention Team rotation, serving patients on all hospital units (Medical, Surgical, Psychiatric, etc.) and working with interdisciplinary medical team.
Attend Preventing and Managing Crisis Situation (PMCS) Training as a part of your orientation at Stony Brook.
Attend PMCS “Train the Trainer” Training to become an instructor if applicable.
Attend regional The Six Core Strategies© (philosophy, curriculum) when offered and develop coaching/mentoring skills when offered.
Utilize verbal de-escalation skills as a part of the crisis prevention team utilizing skills learned in PMCS.
Utilize physical skills and interventions in applying appropriate manual restraints when applicable utilizing skills learned in PMCS.