RECREATION THERAPY SUPERVISOR

Los Angeles County (CA)•Los Angeles, CA

63d

About The Position

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. DHS operates as an integrated health system, operating 25 health centers and four acute care hospitals, in addition to providing health care to youth in the juvenile justice system and inmates in the LA County jails. Across the network of DHS' directly operated clinical sites and through partnerships with community-based clinics, DHS cares for about 500,000 unique patients each year, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual operating budget of 8.4 billion. For additional information regarding DHS please visit www.dhs.lacounty.gov. Through academic affiliations with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences (CDU), DHS hospitals are training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty. In addition, to its direct clinical services, DHS also runs the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Agency and the County's 911 emergency response system, as well as Housing for Health and the Office of Diversion and Re-entry, each with a critical role in connecting vulnerable populations, including those released from correctional and institutional settings, to supportive housing. MISSION: To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care. DEFINITION: Provides first-level supervision to recreation therapists, therapy assistants, aides, and other support staff in acute medical, rehabilitation, or psychiatric hospitals, out-patient clinics, community health centers, mental health facilities, or institutional settings performing recreation therapy services that contribute to the treatment of patients with physical and mental disabilities by providing recreation therapy programs designed to restore or maintain physical, social, and mental functioning and assist patients to adjust to their disabilities. Based on available staff and therapy needs of patients, establishes and adjusts work schedules, reviews the quality and adequacy of therapy services provided by the therapy staff, and implements corrective measures where necessary.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with specialization in Recreation Therapy -AND- Three (3) years of experience in Recreation Therapy, two (2) years of which must have been in the practice of Recreation Therapy at the level of Recreation Therapist I. A Master's degree in Recreation Therapy or Recreation with specialization in Therapeutic Recreation may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
Current certification as a Recreation Therapist issued by the California Board of Parks and Recreation Certification -OR- Certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
All required licenses and certifications must be active and unrestricted or your application will not be accepted.
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions. A valid Class B Driver License may be required for appointment to some positions in this class.
PHYSICAL CLASS III - Moderate: Includes standing or walking most of the time, with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching; includes working on irregular surfaces, occasionally lifting objects weighting over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

Responsibilities

Evaluates employee performance and prepares performance evaluations.
Makes recommendations on hiring, promotions, transfers, work improvement, discipline, and discharge.
Resolves problems of employee grievances and discipline and/or makes recommendations regarding unresolved problems.
Serves as a resource person to the therapy staff regarding unusual or difficult therapy problems by consulting with or demonstrating evaluation and treatment procedures.
Develops, revises, and implements organizational policies and procedures for the facility or medical unit.
Supervises clinical training of students in the areas of patient assessment, evaluation, treatment, orientation of allied health team, and provides for staff development through in-service training and arranging for attendance at special conferences, seminars, or college education courses.
Prepares reports to summarize work activities, including descriptions of goals, planning, scheduling, execution, results, analysis, conclusions, and recommendations according to management and state/federal reporting requirements.
Plans and recommends staff, equipment and supply requirements to support therapy services in assigned area.
Plans, manages, and coordinates unit therapy programs with physicians, allied health personnel, teachers, families, and other agencies.
Plans short and long-range therapy staff requirements for assigned area, based upon anticipated caseload and types and levels of therapy required.
Develops and revises therapy treatment programs based upon changes in therapy needs, review of patient records and review of professional literature.
Plans and conducts staff meetings for the purpose of sharing and eliciting technical and administrative information, sharing in the resolution or problems, and interpreting policies and procedures.
Carries a caseload that includes the more complicated or emergency casework assignments as required, conducts individual and group therapy and supportive services as required.