Recreation Therapist

Job Summary

The Recreation Therapist plans, organizes, and implements recreational activities for an assigned program or campus. This position supervises recreation center facilities and manages the risk and safety of all attendees.

Essential Job functions

• Develop and deliver recreation programs and team building initiatives that promote healthy leisure lifestyle choices, psychomotor skills, and growth and socialization development.
• Create a varied youth recreational activities schedule with consideration to treatment plans, including but not limited to, arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and community reintegration field trips.
• Assist youth in positive play experiences through role modeling, skill development and provision of recreation opportunities that meets the individual’s needs.
• Document case progress notes per regulations and agency protocols. 
• Participate in treatment team meetings.
• Supervise the recreation center facilities, including the gym, camp, pool, playground, or other play areas to maintain an environment that is safe and secure.
• Perform basic repair, upkeep, and safety inspections for facility equipment, and complete work order submittals when necessary.
• Participate in special event planning, as needed.
• Provide feedback on Service Plan Review.
• Supervise the recreational activities for up to three youth, as needed.
• Complete reports and log entries.
• While this job description covers many aspects of the role, employees may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Physical Education, or related field required
• Minimum 1 year of youth recreation experience in human services environment required

Residential Services - Office of Mental Health (OMH) funded programs: Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, or Recreation with an emphasis in therapeutic recreation with a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential required. Waiver may be obtained for designated period of time.

Special Requirements

• CPR certification required or obtained within 60 days of hire.
• Red Cross Lifeguard Certification may be required.
• Unrestricted, valid NYS driver’s license for minimum of 1 year with a clean driving record and minimum insurance coverage that meets agency standards.  

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

In addition to demonstrating the Hillside Professional Competencies of Communicates Effectively, Personal Excellence, Cultural Competence, Builds and Leverages Relationships and Optimizes Decision Making, the following occupational competencies must be demonstrated:

• Knowledge of recreation programs, activities, and team building initiatives that promote healthy leisure lifestyle choices, psychomotor skills, positive interpersonal skills, and the development of social skills.
• Demonstrate a capability for engaging youth in trust-based, productive relationships in order to help them prepare for transitions, interact in the community, and promote respect and independence.
• Ability to use problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Knowledge and ability to recognize and appropriately address aggressive behavior through approved interventions and de-escalation techniques, which may include the use of physical interventions (i.e. holds).
• Ability to meet the highest standard for ethical and professional conduct towards all.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to work a variable scheduling including evenings and weekends
• The following physical demands are required:
  • Occasional sitting (up to 4 hours)
  • Occasional standing (up to 2 hours)
  • Occasional walking (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Occasional driving (up to 8 hours)
  • Continuous balancing (up to 8 hours)
  • Occasional balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching forward or down, reaching overhead, running, and twisting (up to 2.5 hours)
  • Weekly lifting up to 50 lbs. (community-based staff may be required to lift an empty wheelchair weighing up to 50 lbs.), 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
  • Weekly carrying up to 55 lbs. approximately 10-100 ft., 10-15 lbs. on a daily basis
• Manual dexterity is required, including the frequent ability to grasp in both hands and continuous use of fine manipulation skills in both hands (approximately 1-2.5 hrs.)
• Occasional exposure to dust, fumes, gases or chemicals is apparent. 
• Protective clothing or equipment as required: Close toed shoes; Protective Shields, Universal Precaution PPE, Gloves for toileting and food preparation
• Ability to change positions as needed

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

May be required to physically restrain clients weighing between 50 lbs. and 300 lbs. and guide them safely to the floor. In some circumstances, restraints can last up to 15 minutes and may require repetition as necessary.