Recreational Therapist- 6 East (Weekend Only)

Chesapeake Regional Healthcare•Chesapeake, VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

As part of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the Recreational Therapist evaluates patients and develops a plan of care with interventions designed to maximize their physical, intellectual, and social functioning. Recreation and activity therapies will be individualized according to each patient’s capabilities, interests, and needs to best improve health outcomes by fostering effective interactions, patients identifying and implementing coping skills, engaging in healthy exercise, leisure, and recreational interests, and prioritizing independence in caring for self.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Science degree from an accredited institution in therapeutic recreation or related field.
1 year of experience working with behavioral health diagnoses.
QMHP eligible, as defined by the Virginia Board of Counseling.
Must be fully QMHP registered with the Virginia Board of Counseling within 6 months of hire.
BLS Certification.
If not current upon hire, must complete BLS certification within 90 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Certification is preferred.

Responsibilities

Attend treatment team huddles and coordinate care in close collaboration with other treatment team members (i.e., physician, psychiatrist, nurse, community service board clinician, case manager, etc.)
Completes progress notes on interventions conducted and patient response.
Stimulate patients’ interest and cooperation in various individual and group activities and therapeutic interventions.
Engage patients at their level of functioning with recreation, movement, art, music, psychoeducation, and/or other empirically supported therapeutic intervention.
Utilize effective strategies for the management of emotional and behavioral crises.
Provide appropriate crisis intervention as necessary by anticipating and responding quickly to escalating behaviors, utilizing de-escalation techniques to diffuse the situation, correctly prioritizing safety concerns, following proper restraint technique guidelines, and displaying neutral emotions.
Link behavioral health patients to services and supports specified in their Individualized Service Plan.
Assist the individual directly for the purpose of locating, developing, or obtaining needed services and resources.
Make collateral contacts with the individuals' significant others to promote implementation of the service plan and community adjustment.
Demonstrate knowledge of referral/placement process and available community resources.
Oversee patient engagement and morale, maintaining a warm and positive environment that is supportive of individual choices, enriching, homelike, safe, and nurturing for people in mental health crisis receiving emergency stabilization services.
Collaborate with the clinical team to ensure effective communication and progress monitoring.