Recreation/Recreational Therapist

Hospital for Behavioral Medicine is seeking a Recreation/Recreational Therapist for a job in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Discipline: Therapy
~ Shift: 8 hours
~ Employment Type: Staff

Hospital for Behavioral Medicine (HBM) specializes in mental health treatment. Our 120-bed facility is equipped with the latest safety features designed to provide patients with a comfortable environment to receive therapeutic care. Situated in Worcester County, Hospital for Behavioral Medicine is the newest mental health facility of its kind in the state of Massachusetts and is a joint venture between HBM and UMass Memorial Health Care. A short drive from the UMass Memorial Medical Center, HBM is designed to serve members of the community both near and far.
To learn more about Hospital for Behavioral Medicine, please visit: you feel that your skills and compassion fit with our vision for person-centered care and want to make a difference in your community, we invite you to apply today
Hospital for Behavioral Medicine offers competitive rates and benefits including:
Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
Long-Term Disability
401k Retirement Plan with Company Match
Every other weekend availability


The Activity Therapist is responsible for planning and implementing activity services for assigned program, which involves defining and implementing treatment goals as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and providing continuous patient care, observation, interaction, and role modeling to patients.
Demonstrate responsibility for observation and application of sound judgment in patients' physical and mental condition/needs.
Observe and document changes in patients' appearance, behavior, and ability to work towardstreatment plan goals.
Document services rendered in accordance with established criteria.
Maintain current documentation in daily progress notes, including the patient's name, date of therapy, name of therapeutic group/intervention, and summary of the session.
Effectively plans and implements activity therapy for assigned patient case load within the facility, as well as outside the hospital as required.
Monitor therapeutic space, supplies and equipment and ensures they are kept in a clean, orderly and safe condition.
Demonstrate knowledge of group dynamics as well as therapy and practice of group processing.
Performance Accountability
Provide direction, education, and in-service to other unit personnel regarding activity therapy.
Participate in performance improvement activities (i.e. inservices, conferences or seminars).
Adhere to facility, department and Corporate Personnel Policies and Procedures.
Attend all mandatory facility inservices and staff development activities as scheduled.
Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.
Treatment Planning
Provide pertinent feedback to the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding patient response to therapy, treatment interventions, and therapeutic objectives, as appropriate and necessary.
Specific Standards for the Care of Child Patients Ages 5 through 11
Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines.
Maintain knowledge of children's stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise.
Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and make note of any deviations in behavior.
Recognize acting out behavior of child specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled child.
Relate to child patients in an age appropriate manner.
Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issue.
Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Child Patient Programs.
Assess patients for behaviors consistent with the developmental stages and makes note of any deviations in behavior.
Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to the learning disabled adolescent.
Act as a resource to other staff in regard to the Adolescent Patient Programs.
Specific Standards for the Care of Adult Patients Ages 19 through 64
Gather information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use judgments based on knowledge of adult behaviors in treatment planning and interventions.
Utilize seclusion/restraint procedures applicable to adult body size and past history of violent or emotional behaviors.
Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of adult care within Specific Standards of Care for this age group.
Maintain knowledge of the developmental tasks and sociological theories of aging.
Utilize theoretical concepts to guide the effective practice of gerontological health careand behavioral care.
Gather the appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgments based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
Utilize interventions based on gerontological theory to restore patient’s functional capabilities and to prevent complications and excess disability.
Assesses patient needs as related to chemical dependency and document the plan of care from the admission through discharge.
Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care.
Adhere to facility, department, corporate and standard policies and procedures.
Attend all mandatory facility in-services and staff development activities as scheduled.
Adhere to facility standards concerning conduct, dress, attendance and punctuality.
Support facility-wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.
Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational, Recreation therapy, humanities, social work or related therapeutic discipline, or a Masters degree preferred.
Successful completion of CPR Certification and successful completion of Preventative Management Aggressive Behavior Training prior to assisting with a restraining procedure and within 30 days of employment. May be required to work overtime and flexible hours.
Knowledge in one or more program disciplines (i.e. art, occupational, recreation, and/or music therapy).
Thorough knowledge and training in CPR.
Knowledge of adolescent and adult program rules and protocols.
Skill in telephone etiquette and paging procedures.
Ability to adhere to safety policies and procedures.
Ability to accept direction and adhere to policies and procedures.
Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric).
Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
At Hospital for Behavioral Medicine we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information, political affiliation, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilitie Hospital for Behavioral Medicine Job ID #95225.
About Hospital for Behavioral Medicine
Discover a fulfilling career at Hospital for Behavioral Medicine (HBM)

Welcome to the heart of mental health treatment innovation in Worcester, MA HBM, a cutting-
edge 120-bed inpatient facility, is the leading provider of exceptional therapeutic care,
prioritizing patient comfort and safety. In proud collaboration with UMass Memorial Health Care,
our facility is conveniently situated near the UMass Memorial Medical Center, allowing us to
serve the community with unwavering dedication.

Join us in providing exceptional care and contributing to the well-being of individuals and
families in need, and be a part of the transformative healthcare experience at Hospital for
Behavioral Medicine.


Individuals Maintaining Positive Attitude and Commitment To Service
Employee assistance programs
~ Medical benefits
~ Dental benefits
~ Holiday Pay
~401k retirement plan
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