Therapy Assistant- Full Time

Description

Therapy Assistant

Department:

Residential Services

Positions Supervised:

N/A

Immediate Supervisor:

Manager of Rehab Aides

Status:

Non-Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

The Therapy Assistant assists with the implementation of therapy and treatment services for clients in the Residential program. This position provides direct support to clients to promote participation in treatment goals, daily therapeutic activities, and recreational programming, while functioning as an adjunct to the Rehabilitation Aide, Medical Unit Staff, and clinical treatment team to support client safety and program operations. The Therapy Assistant ensures adherence to state statutes and rules, CARF standards, and federal regulations, including HIPAA and 42 CFR Part 2, and positively represents the organization while promoting Rimrock’s mission to the community.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide observation and therapeutic support to assigned patients, including regular rounds at residential sites to ensure safety, security, and adherence to program schedules.
2. Report all incidents, unusual events, and emergencies immediately to the Supervisor and nurse on duty according to Rimrock policies and procedures.
3. Intervene and de-escalate situations as needed using trauma-informed approaches.
4. Assist in planning, organizing, facilitating, and supervising recreational, leisure, and art-based activities that support treatment goals under the direction of the Recreation Coordinator.
5. Encourage and support client participation in activities that promote social connection, emotional regulation, and healthy coping skills.
6. Adapt activities to meet varying client needs, abilities, and levels of engagement.
7. Contribute to a therapeutic milieu by modeling appropriate behavior, fostering positive interactions, and maintaining a structured and supportive environment.
8. Provide informal coaching and support related to coping skills, emotional regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness during daily interactions.
9. Monitor and facilitate client phone calls.
10. Assist clients who struggle with literacy in completing treatment tasks and recovery journals.
11. Guide clients in self-advocacy and problem-solving when situations arise.
12. Scan documents under the direction of Medical Unit staff.
13. Move communication logs to client files and maintain accurate documentation.
14. Monitor cameras to ensure safety and rule compliance.
15.  Document client care, behaviors, and concerns in AM/PM communication logs.
16. Monitor visitors and ensure no contraband is brought into the facility.
17. Be with clients when they are at medical appointments as needed.
18. Perform client luggage and room searches under the direction of the Rehabilitation Aide Supervisor.
19. Assist with food service and provide supervision in the dining room.
20. Monitor and accompany clients during breaks.
21. Provide general program support to ensure smooth daily operations, assisting across departments as needed.
22. Attend all scheduled staff meetings and required trainings.
23. Follow all guidelines under the code of conduct in the employee handbook.
24. Other duties as assigned.

SAFETY-RELATED DUTIES

1. Conduct regular rounds to ensure facility security, including checking doors and alarms.
2. Complete incident reports in accordance with Rimrock policies.
3. Be familiar with emergency procedures and assist during drills or real events.

ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCIES:

1. Accountability – Takes ownership for resolving problems, reaching goals, and serving patients, team, and organization. Accepts responsibility for own behavior. Assures that resources are allocated in accordance with the priorities of the strategic plan. Performs self-quality monitoring in order to develop and execute plans to meet established goals.  
2. Time Management – Maximizes the use of time and resources and effectively prioritizes tasks. Completes paperwork, evaluations, and other required documentation accurately and timely.
3. Teamwork – Works cooperatively and capably with a wide variety of people. Actively promotes teamwork and information sharing within and across departments. Works in a spirit of teamwork and trust and maintains professional boundaries in working with others.
4. Flexibility – Adapts rapidly to changing work demands and priorities.
5. Confidentiality – Complies with all HIPAA and 42 C.F.R. Part 2 regulations relating to privacy, security, and confidentiality. Safeguards confidential information of patients, employees, and business operations
6. Safety – Knows and understands emergency procedures and completes incident reports within 24 hours of event with detailed information.
7. Communication – Consistently uses positive communication skills to promote effective interpersonal relationships. Provides timely and thorough follow-up with internal and external customers. Models professionalism by addressing others with appropriate actions, appearance, and communication. Models and promotes effective written and verbal communication.
8. Customer Service – Supports the organization’s customer service initiative. Strives for service excellence by seeking challenges and turning them into opportunities. Anticipates and meets needs of patients while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Displays a friendly, helpful, and approachable demeanor. Obtains feedback from patients regarding their perceptions of the service provided to them and utilizes this information to improve service delivery.  
9. Respect – Establishes compassionate and supportive rapport with patients. Communicates tactfully and respectfully with patients, coworkers, and others.  
10. Quality Improvement – Assures that information is collected, organized, reported and used to improve the quality of systems and services. Recognizes and appropriately reports to supervisor areas within scope of responsibility that fall outside the quality parameters. Serves on committees or process improvement teams to assist in improving quality/customer satisfaction, as assigned.  

EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/TRAINING: High school diploma or GED required. Knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to communicate and work with patients with addictions. Attend monthly departmental sessions and in-services. View non-violent crisis intervention tapes/videos and attend related training. Needs to attend 4 hours of CEU training annually, specifically Trauma Informed Care, De-escalation, Motivational Interviewing, and Suicide Awareness.

This position has a career ladder. In order to advance in the career ladder the following must be met:

1. No Disciplinary action within the last twelve months
2. Complete required 4 CEUs for calendar year 
3. Cross Trained at Main Facility and one Residential Facility
4. Score 90% percent on Safety RA Quiz
5. Complete Skills Assessment

CERTIFICATE OR LICENSE: 

• CPR and First Aid training certification must be obtained within 6 months.

SKILLS: Communication; ability to take direction and work adjunctively with therapeutic team; provide empathy and possess a knowledge and compassion of patients with addiction and implement positive reinforcement of patients. Computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft software including Word, Excel and Outlook.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work is indoors in an office environment with moderate noise. Intermittent physical effort involving lifting of up to 25 pounds, walking and stooping is required. A typical workday involves walking, standing, reaching with hands and arms, and talking and hearing, approximately 70% of the time. Approximately 30% or less of the time is spent sitting. Normal vision abilities required, including close vision and ability to adjust focus. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT/JOB LOCATIONS: Involves everyday risk or discomfort requiring normal safety precautions in an office setting, meeting room and patient care areas. Work may involve mental and emotional stress. Some driving required. Will work primarily in main facility, although may be required to work at another facility with adult or adolescent patients.

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.