Manager, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Program

Yale New Haven Health • New Haven, CT

416d

About The Position

The Therapeutic Recreation Manager is responsible for the administrative and clinical management of the Therapeutic Recreation Department, focusing on inpatient and partial hospital settings. This role emphasizes collaboration with hospital staff to integrate therapeutic recreation interventions into patient care, ensuring a patient and family-centered approach. The manager oversees departmental operations, including budgeting, staff supervision, and program development, while promoting service excellence and a positive work environment.

Requirements

• Master's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Child Development, Child and Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, Child Psychology, or related field preferred.
• Therapeutic Recreation certification required.
• Minimum of 5 years experience as a therapeutic recreation manager in a health care environment.
• Teaching experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary groups.
• Proficient in public speaking and grant/proposal writing.
• CPR certified and a member of the Therapeutic Recreation Association.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in pediatric healthcare settings.
• Knowledge of current trends in therapeutic recreation.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and direct therapeutic recreational staff in providing therapeutic play activities and support for pediatric patients and families.
• Ensure therapeutic recreation staff perform patient care responsibilities consistent with age-specific needs.
• Establish goals and objectives for the therapeutic recreation department based on business plans and patient needs.
• Develop and review departmental policies and procedures, updating job and program descriptions as necessary.
• Interview, select, train, and evaluate therapeutic recreation staff, promoting their professional growth.
• Develop and administer the therapeutic recreation budget, identifying materials needed for programming.
• Oversee the student internship program, selecting interns and coordinating their educational programs.
• Collaborate with the Volunteer Department to train and evaluate pediatric volunteers.
• Plan and evaluate educational programs regarding the psychosocial needs of pediatric patients and families.
• Develop promotional and educational literature for therapeutic recreation and family-centered care.
• Participate in administrative and operational meetings, contributing to departmental initiatives.
• Work with Marketing and Public Relations to highlight quality patient care projects.
• Collaborate with the Development Office to secure funding for special programs.
• Participate in rounds and meetings with medical and nursing staff to support program development.
• Stay current with developments in Therapeutic Recreation and support staff professional development.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Flexible scheduling options.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Hospitals
• Education Level: Master's degree