Recreation Therapist

Commitment to Equity & Inclusion

As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality service is a shared goal. All employees must be able to demonstrate multicultural competence – the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with others who are culturally different from self in meaningful, relevant, and productive ways. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented populations including women and racial and ethnic minorities are especially encouraged to apply.

DEFINITION

Under the supervision of the Recreation Therapy and Volunteer Supervisor, to plan and administer a comprehensive recreation therapy program to promote optimum levels of functional behavior for adults who are physically and mentally ill, developmentally disabled, have Alzheimer's or other dementias and are protectively placed; to assess resident leisure and recreation functional needs; to direct the work of volunteers and students assigned to assist in recreation therapy.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Create a therapeutic setting; comprehensively assess individual residents' interests/preferences, physical and mental abilities and deficits and psychosocial well-being; conduct recreation therapy groups in, but not limited to, exercise, crafts, relaxation, reality orientation/validation therapy, sensory stimulation, resident council, body movement, leisure and educational skills to meet the needs assessed; attend interdisciplinary staff meetings as assigned; develop and write recreation therapy care plans and progress notes as assigned by the supervisor; evaluate and document resident progress; attend department meetings and prepare and maintain pertinent records and reports; assist in planning and conducting community-based and social functions including, but not limited to, small and large group activities, all facility activities, and 1:1 activities.; develops and assists nursing staff in coordinating activity programs for evenings and weekends; attend mandatory facility in-service education and other educational programs as requested and approved by the supervisor; requisition and account for recreation equipment and supplies and to maintain them in good working condition; assist in keeping activity areas in proper order; maintain and follow department budget as directed by supervisor.  Assist in overseeing resident care/community areas and providing therapeutic interventions to assist the care team in managing those areas for safety and positive clinical outcomes.

Education, Training and Experience:

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy is required.

Certifications/Licenses:  Must possess Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification within one (1) year in order to pass probation.

Special Requirements:

Must have or be eligible for a valid Wisconsin Driver’s License upon hire. Must be willing to work a flexible work schedule including weekend hours, rotation hours including AM & PM hours, and holidays as scheduled.  

Background Check Statement: Some positions may require a criminal background check which can include fingerprinting due to the nature of the job’s responsibilities. Wisconsin’s Fair Employment Law, s. 111.31 – 111.395, Wis. Stats., prohibits discrimination because of an arrest or conviction record.  However, Dane County may disqualify an applicant if the position’s responsibilities are substantially related to the applicant’s criminal history (e.g., the nature of the crime and its relationship to the position, whether hiring, transferring or promoting an applicant would pose an unreasonable risk to the business, its employees, customers and vendors, etc.) Management reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

For Bilingual Positions:

*If applicable, individuals may confirm with the Employee Relations Division whether results of bilingual language certifications/ examinations they currently hold qualify them for the position’s bilingual designation.

Physical and Environmental Work Requirements:

Be in good general health, be able to respond to behavioral and medical codes, ability to run at least one (1) flight of stairs, be able to safely and effectively work with verbally and physically aggressive residents. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday, be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met, ability to exert physical effort in moderate to heavy work, including lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, and moving 50 pounds unassisted, be able to assist in the evacuation of residents, be able to handle temperature and humidity variations, able to work in a noisy environment, sits, stands, bends, lifts and moves intermittently during working hours, is subject to frequent interruptions, is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel, and visitors, effectively communicate with nursing personnel and other department personnel, work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary, is subject to falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc. throughout the workday, is subject to exposure to blood or body fluids, infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including the AIDS and Hepatitis B, and Covid viruses, may be required to wear personal protective equipment, up to and including, an N95 respirator.

Knowledge of the philosophies, attitudes, regulations and practices of Recreation Therapy; knowledge of how to develop and implement care plans; detailed knowledge of activities and their application to the care plan; possess basic computer skills; able to operate a smart phone, detailed knowledge of techniques to analyze and evaluate behavior change and treatment effectiveness; knowledge of applicable state and federal statues regulating resident care and transportation; basic knowledge of first aid; ability to read and follow diet orders; knowledge of community resources and their application to de-institutionalization and discharge; ability to create a therapeutic setting; ability to assess resident functional abilities and deficits in relationship to overall plan of care; ability to document the residents’ participation in the therapeutic activity; ability to direct individual, small and large group activities; ability to learn software related to Minimum Data Set and treatment planning and other aspects of the job; ability to communicate with other professionals, relatives or individuals on behalf of the resident when necessary; ability to maintain good personal working relationships with residents, all facility personnel and the general public; ability to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner; ability to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, support agencies, and related work as required.  Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position. Demonstrate emotional stability.  Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies. Must be able to relate to and work with diverse populations including those who are ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally distressed, and, at times, hostile people within the facility in a professional manner.