Major Responsibilities:
Responsible for all principal accountabilities of a Recreational Therapy Therapist.
Responsible for assessment of patients' leisure functioning and documentation on appropriate forms.

Develops with the patient/family, individualized treatment goals and expected outcomes.

Responsible for treatment planning and implementation. Provides structured therapeutic activities for patients.

Evaluates patients' progress toward goals and expected outcomes

Documents plan and progress toward outcomes on designated forms in the medical record.

Effectively communicates with all the team members, ongoing patient status and discharge plans and unmet needs.

Assists in planning special events.

Utilizes opportunities in the milieu to provide unstructured therapeutic activities.

Maintains a safe environment for patients

Collaborates with all multidisciplinary team members to optimize the delivery of patient care.

Participation in Rehab Services growth and operations related to the Rehabilitation Unit programmatic needs.
1)Assumes active role in major projects or committees i.e. Quality Improvement, Regulatory Compliance and Program Planning to support the programmatic needs of the Rehabilitation unit with regard to the established goals and objectives.

Takes an active role in the Quality Monitoring committee i.e. collecting data, putting together reports

Assists in data collection for regulatory purposes related to the Rehabilitation Unit accrediting body CARF.

Participation in educational and mentoring activities with Recreational Therapy students, medical students, peers, hospital staff and/or the community.
Assumes role of mentor for new team or program members.

Assists with orientation of new staff members, volunteers and students related to the rehabilitation program.

Assists with clinical education through training and instructions of students in the clinical setting when available.

Promotes Recreational Therapy to other professionals and the community through participation in educational and marketing programs.

Provides in-services to peers in Rehab Services and hospital staff.

Assumes other related responsibilities as assigned.

Education/Experience Required:
• Bachelors degree in Therapeutic Recreation 2-3 years of clinical experience. • Experience with student supervision preferred. • Advanced continuing education. • Experience in providing inservices to peers.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required:
• Good communication skills. • Independence in providing advanced level of clinical skills and expertise.
• NCTRC Certification

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
•May require local travel for outings and activities Ability to work designated shifts, including weekends and holidays, may work some evenings May be exposed to hazardous materials and life-threatening diseases May at times come in contact with aggressive or agitated patients. Knowledge of techniques to manage patients is a must. May be involved in restraining patients. Ability to work in rapidly changing environment. • Direct contact with chemicals and body fluids • Ability to assist, escort, transfer, and respond to patient needs for extended periods of time. • Pushing, pulling, lifting, and transferring patients. Ability to perform heavy lifting (lifting 50 to 100 pounds frequently and/or 25 to 50 pounds frequently) • Ambulating with patients over a variety of surfaces with and without assistive devices • This position will need to recognize the needs and behaviors of a variety of age groups. The incumbent will need to be familiar with normal growth and development issues, normal patterns of behavior and signs of the normal aging process for the designated patient group he/she is working with.
This requirement supersedes any previous lifting requirement effective 08/01/2014. Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance. For patient lifts of over 35 pounds, or when patient is unable to assist with the lift, patient handling equipment is expected to be used, with at least one other associate, when available. Unique patient lifting/movement situations will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.


This job description indicates the general nature and level of work expected of the incumbent. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent. Incumbent may be required to perform other related duties.