Recreational Therapist

Qualification

• Bachelors degree in Recreation Therapy
• CTRS certified or eligible to sit for the certification test preferred
• Previous experience in a behavioral healthcare setting preferred

Important Qualities

Compassion:  should be kind, gentle, and sympathetic when providing support to patients and their families. They may deal with patients who are in pain or under emotional stress.

Critical-thinking skills:  should be able to quickly think of adaptations to activities when a patients’ therapy plan requires adjustment.

Leadership skills: must be able to plan, develop, and implement intervention programs in an effective manner. They must motivate patients to participate in a variety of therapeutic activities.

Listening skills: must listen to a patient’s problems and concerns. They can then determine an effective course of treatment or therapy program appropriate for that patient.

Patience: may work with some patients who require more time and special attention than others.

Speaking skills: need to communicate well with their patients. They need to be able to give clear directions during activities or instructions on healthy coping techniques.

Job Description

• Assess residents' needs through observations, medical records, and talking with other healthcare professionals, patients’ families, and patients
• Create treatment plans and activity programs that meet patients’ needs and interests
• Conduct planned activities for residents on a daily basis as per scheduled calendar
• Plan and implement interventions to prevent harm to a resident
• Engage residents in therapeutic activities that are intellectually stimulating and appropriate to meet the needs of residents with Dementia & Alzheimer's
• Help residents learn social skills needed to become or remain independent and interact with others
• Teach patients about ways to cope with anxiety or depression
• Record and analyze a resident's progress
• Meets regularly with IDT to assist in development of resident’s plan of care and daily programming
• Evaluate interventions for effectiveness and make recommendations for modifications when necessary
• will help residents reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic physical and mental abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively.
• will help people with disabilities integrate into the community by teaching them how to use community resources and recreational activities. For example, therapists may teach a patient who uses a wheelchair how to use public transportation.
• will use activities, such as arts and crafts, dance, or sports, to help their residents.
• may also provide interventions to residents who need help developing new social and coping skills
• implement interventions with residents who need help managing their depression or anxiety
• Maintains inventory of therapeutic recreation supplies and equipment ensuring adequate supplies based on program schedule
• requires weekend coverage