RECREATION THERAPIST 3 - 12242024-64183

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, REHABILITATION SERVICES DIVISION, RUTHERFORD COUNTY

For more information, please visit the link below:

https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0012648_Recreation_Therapist3_Rutherford.pdf

This is an on-site position

Qualifications

Necessary Special Qualifications: Positions within the Division of Rehabilitation Services of the Department of Human Services will be required to:

1. Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
2. Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
3. Supply a fingerprint sample prescribed by the TBI based criminal history records check;
4. Submit to a review of their status on the Department of Healths vulnerable persons registry.

Overview

Responsibilities

1. Assures that departmental/facility policy is carried out as recreation therapy is being implemented to comply with state/federal law and accrediting bodies.
2. Evaluates the outcomes of the recreational therapy programs to determine whether effective services have been provided.
3. Develops and submits proposals concerning the establishment of therapeutic recreation policy and procedure at a facility to guarantee compliance with state and federal law.

1. Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with partnering agencies, co-workers, supervisors, other employees, and local governmental agencies through meetings and other positive interactions to ensure quality and timely services.

1. Investigates, responds, and resolves complaints and other disputes among staff, customers, and other sources to provide the most effective use of program resources and positive outcomes through mediation, discussions, or other problem solving techniques deemed appropriate.
2. Implements behavior education systems with clients to ensure successful independent living skills by creating behavior change plans and contracts, providing individual behavior change interventions with documentation, and intervening as needed when behaviors violate the standards of conduct.

1. Identifies goals and objectives for individuals engaged in recreational therapy relying upon individual assessments, therapist observations, referrals, and inter-disciplinary team findings to ensure appropriate services and activities are provided.
2. Develops therapeutic treatment plans/recreational therapy goals to ensure client outcomes are met.
3. Assesses, plans, evaluates, and implements recreational activities of individuals engaged in therapy to assist in meeting desired client outcomes.

1. Oversees workflow and processing of paperwork within the unit to ensure effective and quality services are delivered to clients.

1. Conducts the employee evaluation process to review and provide feedback to the employee regarding their job performance in order to confirm effective service delivery, compliance with state law, and understanding of policies and procedures.
2. Motivates staff through goal-setting to increase performance and improve client outcomes.
3. Provides guidance to staff about assigned work to guarantee proper service delivery.

1. Develops corrective action plans for the unsatisfactory job performance of staff and makes recommendations for disciplinary actions to improve performance and service delivery.
2. Provides input and information to other therapists and inter-disciplinary teams about the effectiveness of individuals adapting to recreational therapy programs to ensure client goals and objectives are met.

1. Demonstrates awareness of individual differences by delivering instructions that are always appropriate for individual needs.
2. Works with staff through brainstorming sessions and other discussions to formulate creative ideas and find solutions to problems in an effort to promote and improve service delivery.

1. Plans, directs, and approves programs for individuals receiving recreational therapy services to ensure effective service delivery.
2. Identifies goals and objectives for individuals engaged in recreational therapy relying upon individual assessments, personal observations, referrals, and inter-disciplinary team findings to ensure appropriate techniques and services are provided.
3. Supervises the recreational program to complement the total treatment programs so that the appropriate services are provided to meet the needs of the client.
4. Assesses whether recreation therapy provided is safe and appropriate for the physical needs of the client.
5. Evaluates and assesses client progress to determine readiness for re-entry into the workforce/independent living.
6. Recommends and implements changes in order to achieve therapeutic goals to ensure the best use of program resources and client outcomes.

1. Completes work assignments in the designated time frames to meet facility guidelines.
2. Submits program development activities for approval to meet the changing needs of the client population.
3. Creates annual goals for the department to assist with meeting state and federal guidelines and improving the department as a whole.

1. Interprets rules, regulations, and laws for programs and the public in an effort to provide clarity.

1. Performs duties of the residential services administrator as scheduled by supervisor to ensure continuity of care.
2. Develops and implements program policies and procedures to ensure effective service delivery.
3. Prepares written correspondence to provide information to staff, customers, and the public to comply with state and federal laws.
4. Ensures staff and provider files are maintained and updated through a periodic review so that information can be easily located.
5. Approves staff leave, travel, and time sheets through the designated system to guarantee employees are compensated for time worked.

1. Assists in training direct care staff so that the client receives the correct and appropriate services.
2. Gives direction to other personnel concerning proper entries for records and reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with policies and procedures.
3. Works with paraprofessional personnel to train and assist in carrying out therapeutic programs to meet the needs of the client.
4. Provides a teaching setting for interns to provide them with skills they will need for future employment.

1. Conducts interviews with applicants and reviews resumes to identify relevant skills and work experience to select the most qualified candidate for the positions.
2. Discusses new hire recommendations with management to select the most qualified candidate for the position.
3. Reads existing job plans to identify appropriate skills in order to select the most qualified candidate.

1. Trains subordinate staff regarding policies and procedures so that positive client outcomes will be met.
2. Plans and conducts in-service training in recreational principles, methods, and procedures to ensure staff are provided with the most current and relevant information.
3. Implements various recreational activities such as social interactions, anger management, healthy lifestyles, coping skills, leisure education, character education, creative expression, and physical activities to assist in meeting desired client outcomes.
4. Implements clinical care activities to provide resources for successful client outcomes.

1. Evaluates progress data of individuals to assess their advancement toward meeting their goals and objectives.
2. Identifies psychosocial, behavioral, or physical problems of individuals to assist with meeting client needs.
3. Analyzes client exit surveys to determine trends within the department to produce plans to improve services.

1. Supervises and schedules specific recreational and social activities to assist in meeting desired client and program outcomes.
2. Assigns subordinate staff their work to ensure effective coverage is provided or provides coverage when needed.
3. May assign referred clients to the appropriate therapists based on individual client needs to meet recreational therapy goals.

1. Implements activities in a therapeutic plan in order to develop psychosocial skills, independent living skills or the physical development of individuals engaged in recreational therapy to ensure appropriate client outcomes are achieved.
2. Follows state facility emergency response plans to ensure safety of clients and staff.
3. Implements recreational activities for all clients who want to participate in recreational services.

1. Provides timely communication to supervisor regarding problematic situations in day-to-day service delivery operations to ensure problems are handled in a timely manner.
2. Communicates relevant information to supervisor and co-workers by telephone, in written form, email or in-person to provide information and for consultation and accreditation.
3. Provides information at monthly departmental meetings to ensure staff is aware of changes and improvements needed at the facility.
4. May act as a community liaison by establishing recreational therapy internships or recreational therapy internship agreements with colleges, universities, or technical institutes and attending/conducting lectures concerning leisure time/therapeutic activities for disabled individuals to promote education of new professionals and the public regarding recreational therapy advances and techniques.

1. Coordinates recreational therapy programs and activities with other disciplines to allow for continuity of services for clients.
2. Provides input and information to other therapists about the effectiveness of individuals adapting to recreational therapy programs to ensure the continuity of services provided.
3. Recommends new programs to administrators and management at a facility when necessitated by the needs of the client.

1. Completes recreational assessments within the facilities' established timeframes to create client goals, outcomes, and objectives.
2. Prepares, maintains, and monitors the status of documentation activities concerning recreation at the facility according to established policy and procedures to guarantee all documentation is up-to-date and is completed within the allotted time frames.
3. Documents all relevant records and reports related to services provided as an official record for the department.
4. Records the progress and reactions of individuals engaged in recreational therapeutic activities to evaluate their advancement toward meeting desired outcomes.
5. Completes recreational discharge summaries to give clients information on how they can continue recreational programs within their community.

1. May be required to lift up to 40 pounds, walk and stand for extended periods of time, and provide other physical activities as required to perform job tasks.

1. Conducts team building exercises and other group activities to promote positive interaction among staff.

1. Assesses the skill level, ability, and interests of individuals engaged in recreational activities to ensure client outcomes are met.
2. Gathers information from other inter-disciplinary components to obtain a comprehensive picture of services provided to clients.
3. Observes and assesses individuals engaged in recreational therapy and gathers information regarding their progress toward goals and objectives.
4. Reviews client documentation to obtain important information regarding client needs and ability levels.

1. Creates yearly equipment request to ensure staff has appropriate resources and materials to complete their job responsibilities.
2. Requisitions supplies and equipment for recreation therapy to guarantee effective service delivery.

1. Evaluates the outcomes of therapeutic programs in relation to individual needs to determine if appropriate and beneficial services are provided to clients.
2. Reviews client input to determine the quality of services provided.

1. Ensures staff complies with all motor vehicle regulations and state/facility guidelines to ensure client and personal safety.
2. Maintains and secures appropriate motor vehicle operating license and endorsement in a timely manner to provide transportation as needed.
3. Has knowledge of and practices wheelchair van procedures to ensure safety.
4. Follows center and state regulations while driving state vehicles to ensure safety.

1. Operates computer hardware and software, scanners, and other equipment to complete reports, document collective data, and communicate with others to capture and maintain program information.

1. Maintains care and storage of recreational equipment and supplies to ensure available resources are well maintained and in good condition.
2. Reports any equipment which needs repairing or any shortage of supplies to the supervisor to guarantee the appropriate number and types of equipment and supplies are readily accessible.

1. Creates learning environment for staff to provide new leisure resources and educational tools to enhance the recreation therapy department.
2. Attends state organization's required annual trainings to increase knowledge of policies and procedures.

Competencies (KSA's)

1. Administration and Management
2. Clerical
3. Communications and Media
4. Computers and Electronics
5. Customer and Personal Service
6. Education and Training
7. Fine Arts
8. Law and Government
9. Personnel and Human Resources
10. Psychology
11. Public Safety and Security
12. Therapy and Counseling
13. Transportation

1. Active Learning and Listening
2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
3. Learning Strategies
4. Mathematics
5. Monitoring
6. Reading and Writing
7. Communication
8. Instructing
9. Negotiation
10. Persuasion
11. Service Orientation
12. Social Perceptiveness
13. Equipment Maintenance
14. Equipment Selection
15. Operation and Control
16. Management of Material Resources
17. Time Management
18. Independent Living Skills
19. Fine Motor Skills

1. Processing and Expressing Information
2. Stamina
3. Basic Physical Fitness
4. Depth Perception
5. Far Vision
6. Glare Sensitivity
7. Hearing Sensitivity
8. Near Vision
9. Night Vision
10. Peripheral Vision
11. Sound Localization
12. Speech Clarity
13. Speech Recognition
14. Visual Color Discrimination

Tools & Equipment

1. Computer
2. Fax
3. Copier
4. Proxy Cards
5. Audio Visual Equipment
6. Exercise Equipment
7. Motor Vehicles
8. Wheelchair Lift
9. Communication Equipment
10. Restraints
11. ADL (Activities Daily Living) Equipment