Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Per Diem
About The Position
The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist evaluates, plans, implements, and documents therapeutic recreation services according to ATRA standards. The role develops programs that support patients’ health, functional status, personal development, and quality of life, and promotes recreation, leisure, and community participation throughout admission. The specialist works with an interdisciplinary team, shares relevant information, educates staff, patients, and families as needed, and mentors and trains aide-level staff and volunteers when appropriate. The specialist provides evaluation and treatment for recreation, leisure, and community reintegration; establishes measurable goals with patients and families; delivers and adjusts interventions; supports patient and family education, discharge planning, and continuity of care; and coordinates schedules and delegated responsibilities. The position requires timely clinical and professional documentation, communication with patients, families, colleagues, supervisors, and students, and adherence to patient safety, crisis response, and de-escalation procedures. This is a per-diem role in Inpatient Rehabilitation Services at Hospital for Special Care, with zero scheduled weekly hours and a first-shift designation. Work is primarily indoors with occasional outdoor work. The schedule can fluctuate frequently and unpredictably, and weekend coverage of therapeutic recreation programs is required. The role involves regular interaction with others and occasional exposure to cleaning particles or chemicals, body fluids, contagious disease, blood-borne pathogens, and radiation. The job has substantial physical demands, including patient transfers and assistance, lifting and pushing/pulling, mobility and positional changes, and possible physical management of patients.
Requirements
- Valid driver's license.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a major in therapeutic recreation.
- Certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation within six months of hire.
- Maintain competency requirements defined by NCTRC and ATRA standards of practice.
- Ability to tolerate up to four consecutive hours of work; periods of sitting and independent mobility; and occasional running for short distances, with frequent standing, walking, and sitting.
- Ability to safely transfer patients and provide contact guarding or hands-on assistance; physically manage or escort patients who may become combative using approved methods.
- Ability to lift or carry objects up to 10 pounds continuously, up to 20 and 50 pounds occasionally, and over 100 pounds occasionally for patient transfer; ability to push or pull over 100 pounds occasionally for patient transport.
- Ability to reach, grasp, hold, bend, squat, and kneel, and to make frequent positional changes to access equipment and provide treatment.
- Ability to tolerate submersion in shoulder-depth water for one to two hours; functional fine and gross motor skills and upper-extremity sensation; intact vision for observing non-verbal responses and driving.
- Independent problem identification, quick decision-making, abstract reasoning, adaptability, and sustained attention in the presence of noise or distraction.
- Clinical judgment to interpret medical history and evaluation data, determine prognosis and plan of care, select interventions, and modify treatment to patient needs.
- Strong reading, auditory comprehension, inference, writing, and communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex ideas and adapt communication to the listener.
- Working knowledge of medical terms and definitions.
- Ability to perform arithmetic operations with whole numbers and fractions, and to compute ratios, rates, and percentages.
- Willingness to work a frequently fluctuating schedule, including weekend coverage.
Nice To Haves
- Current CPR certification.
- Minimum of one year of clinical experience.
- Public Passenger endorsement(s).
Responsibilities
- Evaluate, plan, implement, and document therapeutic recreation services according to ATRA standards and practice standards.
- Create therapeutic recreation programs that support patients’ health, functional status, personal development, quality of life, and recreation, leisure, and community participation.
- Recognize physiological, psychological, and age-related patient changes; consult with health care team members; and establish measurable goals with patients and families.
- Plan, implement, deliver, and delegate patient care using appropriate therapeutic modalities and interventions, revising treatments as needed.
- Instruct patients and families using verbal, written, and audiovisual materials, and participate in discharge planning and recommendations to community resources.
- Maintain knowledge of care delivery advances through evidence-based review, peer review, case discussion, and continuing education.
- Coordinate schedules and time management for self and support personnel, meet productivity requirements, collaborate with team members for coverage, and supervise delegated responsibilities.
- Document evaluations, assessments, progress toward goals, equipment purchase orders, statistical reports, home programs, discharge summaries, and other required interactions in a timely manner.
- Communicate appropriately with patients, families, health care team members, supervisors, and students; use AIDET principles and demonstrate professionalism.
- Report critical incidents promptly to the charge RN, document in the medical record, complete applicable incident or seclusion and restraint forms, and participate in debriefings.
- Handle crisis situations safely using the least restrictive safe patient-care alternative, and anticipate, address, and de-escalate patient distress according to treatment plans.
- Mentor and provide training to aide-level staff and volunteers as appropriate.
- Provide weekend coverage for therapeutic recreation individual and group programs.
Benefits
- Employer-subsidized medical and dental insurance.
- Vision insurance.
- 403(b) retirement savings plan with employer match of up to 6%.
- Paid time off.
- Employer-paid life insurance.
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
- Health Savings Account with employer contributions.
- Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Employee Assistance Program.
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
- Voluntary benefits, including pet insurance.
- Employee wellness programs with access to an onsite fitness and aquatics center.
- Employee referral bonus program.
- Employee recognition and appreciation initiatives. Eligibility for certain benefits depends on scheduled hours worked.
