Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (37.5 Hour)

State of Connecticut•Middletown, CT

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH), under the umbrella of the State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), is seeking a qualified individual to join our team as a Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (PCN 136801). This position is part of the Merritt 2AB program, a 30-bed Residential Rehabilitation Program (ASAM level of care 3.7R) for adults in early stages of recovery, offering a structured and safe environment. The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) aims to promote overall health and wellness for individuals with behavioral health needs through an integrated network of services and supports. Connecticut Valley Hospital, established in 1868, provides treatment for mental illness across 18 inpatient units. The Merritt 2AB Program specializes in trauma-informed/gender-responsive care for clients with co-occurring disorders, offering a combination of medical, psychiatric, and counseling services, including individual, group, and family counseling, recovery education, wellness therapies, 12-step meetings, and Medication Assisted Treatment. The length of stay varies based on individual needs, with aftercare services provided upon completion.

Requirements

Five (5) years of professional experience in a professional rehabilitation therapeutic recreation program performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for individuals with an intellectual disability, emotional disabilities and physical disabilities.
College training in a recognized therapeutic recreation discipline may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
One (1) year of experience at the level of a Rehabilitation Therapist 1 (Therapeutic Recreation) or its equivalent may be substituted for the General Experience.
Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline.
Knowledge of physical and intellectual disorders; individual and group dynamics.
Considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.
Skill in evaluating individual needs.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting individual and group treatment in a substance use/behavioral health inpatient treatment setting.
Experience recording and evaluating client progress, including completion of assessments.
Possess a Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Therapy, or Recreation and Leisure Studies (with a Therapeutic Recreation concentration).
Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), and/or life-saving (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive therapeutic recreation assessments to identify patient strengths, needs, functional abilities, and recovery goals.
Develop and implement individualized, evidence-based treatment plans that support patient engagement, clinical objectives, and long-term recovery.
Facilitate structured therapeutic interventions designed to enhance coping skills, promote healthy leisure participation, and address complex psychosocial needs.
Modify treatment approaches in real time based on patient presentation, progress, and changing clinical needs within a fast-paced day program environment.
Collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary treatment team to ensure coordinated, patient-centered care and consistent communication about treatment planning.
Monitor, document, and evaluate patient progress, adjusting interventions to promote meaningful outcomes and successful community reintegration.
Contribute to a recovery-oriented care environment by providing compassionate support, fostering motivation, and promoting engagement in therapeutic programming.
Utilize person-specific interventions to address barriers to recovery, encourage functional independence, and enhance overall quality of life.
Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual.
Writes and implements treatment plans.
Plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities.
Actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of an individual.
Participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for an individual.
Participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces.
Participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees.
Trains and supervises staff and individuals in application of a specific discipline.
Provides in-service training to other staff.
Attends and participates in workshops and conferences.
Gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities.
Coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy.
Selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of individual.
Maintains and orders equipment.
Observes, records and evaluates individual progress.
May transport and escort individuals to community functions.
May teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy.
May make adaptive equipment.
May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional.