Recreational Therapist - Senior Care

Johnson Regional Medical Center•Clarksville, AR

54d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for planning and implementing the unit’s therapeutic patient activities and assisting patients with daily living activities. The Recreational Therapist will plan and implement the unit’s Recreational Therapy Program, including daily events, special events, and providing in-services for other staff. They will conduct diversional therapy programs, including planning and coordination of out-trips and arranging guest speakers. The therapist will also conduct recreational therapy group sessions, complete recreational therapy evaluations, and participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning staffing. Additional responsibilities include completing progress notes, participating in the referral development process, treating patients as directed, and educating patients and families on program issues, medications, and diagnosis. The role also involves intervening with patients who disregard safety rules, responding to signs of aggression or elopement risk, assisting with seclusion or restraints, and documenting patient progress. Excellent customer service, maintaining supplies and equipment, and supporting a culture of safety and quality are also key aspects of this position.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy.
Current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
One to three (1-3) years of experience in Gero psychology.
Able to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
Basic computer knowledge.
Adheres to dress code, appearance is neat and clean.
Completes annual education requirements.
Maintains regulatory requirements.
Maintains patient confidentiality at all times.
Reports to work on time and as scheduled, completes work within designated time.
Wears identification while on duty.
Completes in-services and returns in a timely fashion.
Attends annual review and department in-services, as scheduled.
Attends staff meetings or reads and returns all staff meeting minutes.
Represents the organization in a positive and professional manner.
Actively participates in performance improvement and continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities.
Complies with all organizational policies regarding ethical business practices.
Communicates the mission, ethics and goals of the facility, as well as the focus statement of the department.

Nice To Haves

Additional languages preferred.

Responsibilities

Plans and implements the unit’s Recreational Therapy Program, including planning of daily events, special events, and providing in-services for other staff participating in the recreational therapy program.
Conducts diversional therapy program including planning and coordination of all out-trips and arranging for guest speakers.
Conducts recreational therapy group sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of group principles and good group techniques.
Completes recreational therapy evaluations in a prescribed item frame of 72 hours, not including weekends.
Participates in multidisciplinary treatment planning staffing.
Displays good interviewing, assessment, and report writing skills.
Completes progress notes in a timely and high-quality manner.
Participates in the referral development process as a member of the Referral Development Committee.
Treats patients as directed by Treatment Team and physician.
Treats patients and their families with respect and dignity.
Assists with assessments, group, and individual treatment as directed.
Adheres to general expectations for all employees in order that the program functions in an effective manner to meet the treatment needs of patients.
Provides feedback to supervisor on an ongoing basis in regard to concerns, improvements, changes, etc.
Identifies areas needing improvement and utilizes the facility performance improvement process. Actively participates in department processes as required.
Responsible for educating patients and families on program issues, medications, diagnosis education, and documenting this education on the patient’s chart.
Intervenes with patients who disregard, violate, and ignore unit safety rules. Reports and appropriately responds to any signs of increasing aggression, suicidal behavior, danger of elopement, violation of smoking rules, or violation of any other unit facility safety rules.
Assists in placing patients in seclusion or restraints and observes restraint/seclusion precautions.
Documents every shift on the patient’s progress in relation to their treatment plan.
Exhibits excellent customer service at all times (telephone, visitors, patient interactions, other hospital personnel).
Maintains recreational therapy supplies and equipment in an orderly and safe manner.
Supports and maintains a culture of safety and quality.