Recreation Therapist

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionHealthcare Staffing Professionals, Inc is looking for Recreation Therapists to fill this position working at an acute care hospital in San Diego, CA. Employees in this job class assess clients, children, residents, patients and/or inmates in mental health, geriatric, rehabilitation, skilled nursing and/or detention facilities and emergency shelters; plan and implement diverse therapeutic groups; and evaluate treatment/recreational goals.
Pay Rate: $35/hr
Benefits Offered: Healthcare, Dental, Vision, 401k
Job Duties:

• Assesses, plans, implements and evaluates recreational activities for patients, clients or inmates in 24-hour residential settings that include closed wards, open wards, and/or jails.
• Motivates and organizes client, patient and/or inmate groups into recreational therapy activities, special events, and other physical, social, cognitive and spiritual activities.
• Evaluates the needs and interests of individual patients, clients and/or inmates and assists and encourages them in selecting and participating in recreational activities.
• Participates in staff conferences for patient, client or inmate assessment.
• Observes patients, inmates, and clients' attitudes, social adjustment, and general progress.
• Performs initial assessments and counsels clients, patients or inmates.
• Arranges for transportation of patients, clients and/or inmates to and from recreation activities.
• Charts clients, patients or inmates progress, goals and care plans within time guidelines.
• Purchases recreational supplies and materials.
• Maintains work areas.
• performs lead work and acts in the absence of the Recreational Therapist Supervisor.
• Organizes field trips.
• attends mandated facility training.
• May be required to perform the functions of the lower level classes in this series.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of recreation therapy
• Therapeutic, recreational, and athletic activities
• Group dynamics and individual behavior in a mental health, geriatric, rehabilitation and/or detention setting
• Principles and practices of lead work
• Computers and software programs
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette
• County customer service objectives and strategies
• Body mechanics in transferring, transporting and lifting patients and equipment
• Current technology and trends in the profession

Skills and Abilities to:

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing when instructing, counseling and leading activities
• Work with clients, inmates or patients who have difficulty controlling their behavior
• Exercise leadership in working with groups of clients, inmates and/or patients
• Establish interpersonal relations by encouraging clients, inmate and/or patient participation in activities
• Deal with clients, patients or inmates with emotional and behavioral problems
• Drive a van or bus
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Assess the customer's immediate needs and ensure customer's receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral
• Provide prompt, efficient and responsive service
• Establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds
• Communicate effectively with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds and function calmly in situations, which require a high degree of sensitivity, tact and diplomacy

Desirable Traits
Communicates Effectively, Knowledge Worker, Customer Focused, Values and Respects Others, Drives to Excel, Teamwork and Collaboration, Continuous Learning, Demonstrates Ethical Behavior, Supportive of Change
Education and/or Experience
Education, training, and/or experience that demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills and abilities listed above. Required education and experience:
Certified or eligible for certification as a Registered Recreator with the California Board of Parks and Recreation Certification (CBPRC), or the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
Note: Experience in planning and administering recreation therapy to mental health and geriatric patients is highly desirable. Experience as a lead worker is also highly desirable.

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