Recreational Therapist

Mercy Cedar Rapids•Baltimore, MD

About The Position

This position supports Mercy's philosophy of patient centered care by assists in planning, organizing and implementing a hospital therapeutic recreation program specifically designed to assist patients in recovery from or adjustment to illness and/or disability. The program will provide for mental and physical stimulation.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation required.
Current certification in Basic Life Support, in accordance with the American Heart Association required.
Iowa Dependent Adult Abuse/Iowa Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter training required. Employee must submit certification of completed training to Human Resources prior to start or transfer date.
Valid driver’s license required.
Must meet insurability requirements for purposes of utilizing Mercy vehicles - must be at least age 18 required.
Must have and maintain a good driving record. Motor vehicle record will be reviewed as part of the background check prior to hire or transfer.

Nice To Haves

Heathcare experience preferred.
Certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation is preferred.

Responsibilities

Ensures that all accurate and clinically relevant information is communicated with patients, their families and co-workers at hand offs and other times as needed.
Take all measures necessary to ensure that the appropriate and involved parties have communicated necessary information in order to allow for the best possible patient outcome.
Performs recreation therapy assessment with patient and/or family involvement and appropriate to the age of the patient population
Develops a plan responsive to patient/family concerns, diagnosis related issues and age appropriate.
Demonstrates knowledge of community resources and programs specific to age and diagnosis related issues.
Functions as an active member of the health care team.
Documents in the medical record covering services provided and plan of care in the time frames required for the assigned area.
Demonstrates knowledge of patients' rights and ethical issues for the age of the population.
Demonstrates ability to work with patients with special needs (i.e. mentally ill, persons with speech, hearing, language or physical impairments, dementia, Alzheimer's).
Demonstrates an understanding of patients' responses to recreation therapy services and is able to then make appropriate adjustments in the recreation plan of care.
Participates in performance measurement as appropriate within the department
Orders and maintains equipment and activity supplies in accordance to budgetary and safety requirements.
Practices cost containment efforts on a shift-to-shift basis by efficient use of time & resources, ie., man-hours, patient charges, equipment, supplies, etc.
Supervises therapeutic recreations students in agreement with placement requirements.
Assists and supervises volunteers assigned to work in the therapeutic recreation programs.
Maintains and coordinates all activities, including volunteer or auxiliary activities and religious services
Prepares monthly calendars in advance
Keep attendance logs and patient progress notes
Follows Mercy's safety guidelines, carries out job-specific safety duties and responsibilities, and promptly reports any unsafe conditions, situations, incidents and injuries.
Attends workshop and educational programs, which relate to activity programming. Minimum of ten contact hours per year.