Therapeutic Recreational Therapist

According to NYS Dept. of Health Mandate Healthcare Workers must be vaccinated by September 27th

We are only hiring VACCINATED staff. 

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Therapeutic Recreational Therapist or Music Therapist

DEPARTMENT: Therapeutic Recreation

REPORTS TO: Director of Therapeutic Recreation/ Assistant

Director of Therapeutic Recreation

JOB SUMMARY: The Recreation Therapist is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), eligible for certification as a CTRS or is a qualified recreation therapist. Individuals in this position are required to hold an Associate Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a closely related field with a Bachelor’s Degree preferred. The Recreation Therapist will provide coordination of therapeutic recreation programming for residents of Medford Multicare Center. The Recreation Therapist will conduct individual and group programming with minimal supervision and be responsible for documentation of their given caseload of residents.

QUALIFICATION:

Associate Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a closely related field with a Bachelor’s Degree

Essential Functions:

• Must fulfill the goal & objectives of the Therapeutic Recreation Department in regard to resident care and in accordance with the general working philosophy of the Department following all State and Federal guidelines.
• Assumes the responsibility for the provision of a diversified Therapeutic Recreation Program (individual & group) on resident floors as assigned. Provides scheduled programming as noted in the Activity calendar. Notifies Director or Assistant Dir. of TR of any changes in Activity Programming prior to making the change.
• Meet new residents and conduct initial resident assessments within the first 1-3 days of admission. Complete quarterly, significant change and annual assessments in a timely manner and develop/update care plans based on the comprehensive assessment.
• Ensure that the initial assessment is a comprehensive leisure time/ recreation assessment that includes determination of the residents’ ability to participate in activity programs based on his/her medical condition limitations. A comprehensive plan of care will be developed within seven days following the assessment that will include resident’s preferences.
• Assumes responsibility for the MDS 3.0 assessment, triggers & CAA Sections done accurately & clearly stating whether proceed or not proceed with a care plan for that trigger. Development and implementation of TR plan of care & Quarterly Progress Notes. This includes the consideration of the capabilities and desires of the individual resident in the development and appropriate documentation of specific activity recommendations for short and long-term goals and objectives. All documentation completed timely.
• A comprehensive plan of care will be developed following the initial assessment that will include the resident’s interests, preferences and abilities; and any issues/concerns/adaptations related to the residents’ ability to engage in therapeutic recreation groups/interventions.
• Ensure that resident care assessments and the resident’s response to the care plan is evaluated quarterly and is reflective of the resident’s current status. The resident reassessment is completed annually or if there is a significant change in the resident’s condition. Attend or provide input to the Recreation Therapist who attends care plan meetings.
• Responsible for timely reassessments and appropriate intervention and documentation as per established on the weekly MDS charting schedule/list.
• Responsible for Interdisciplinary Care Plan documentation including problems, needs, strengths, preferences, measurable goals and interventions. Ensure that the comprehensive care plan goals are measureable and the interventions/approaches and outcomes relate directly to the goal.
• Responsible for completion of resident care assessments and the resident’s response to the care plan is evaluated quarterly and is reflective of the resident’s current status. The resident reassessment is completed annually or if there is a significant change in the resident’s condition. Attend or provide input to the Recreation Therapist who attends care plan meetings.
• Through observation of and discussion with the individual resident, prepare a recreation interest evaluation based upon the resident’s leisure time history, preferences and needs. If resident is not interviewable, conduct interview with family member. If family member unavailable, use observations and staff interview to complete evaluation.
• Responsible for contacting family or guardian if resident is not able to be interviewed. If family/guardian is unavailable, use observations and staff interview to complete evaluation.
• Responsible for providing instruction and leadership for therapeutic recreation programming which is designed to address the capabilities, preferences and needs of the residents to enhance his/her sense of well-being and to promote or enhance physical, cognitive, emotional, social and spiritual health.
• Responsible for developing approaches for residents with behavioral symptoms. Recognize and assess for preferences, choices, specific conditions, causes and/or problems, needs and behaviors.
• Actively interacts with other members of the health care team.
• Attends programs, department staff meetings, in-service training, continuing education sessions and other meetings as assigned by the Director/Assistant Director of Therapeutic Recreation.
• Obtain, prepare, and operate equipment for events and programs and ensure communication with Director of Therapeutic Recreation when dept. in need of supplies and/or equipment; balloons, nail polish/remover, cotton balls, craft supplies, etc.
• Provide guidance and supervision to all volunteers assigned.
• Responsible for documenting resident attendance and statistics daily.
• Responsible for prepping food during cooking groups and follows dietary sheet to serve appropriate refreshments according to resident diet guidelines during food-oriented programs such as ice cream socials, birthday parties, BBQs, etc. Follow all infection control procedures when preparing, distributing and cleaning up post food delivery.
• Follow all Safety and Infection Control protocols, policies and procedures.
• Makes morning and afternoon rounds to inform residents of upcoming activity options for the day.
• Delivers newspapers, packages and mail daily or as assigned.
• is responsible for changing orientation boards daily or as assigned.
• Reports any broken or missing equipment/materials to Director or Assistant Director on day of discovery.
• Responsible for covering documentation and programming of another unit as assigned when peer is out sick or on vacation.
• Submits requests for annual, sick or personal time off at least 2 weeks prior to time requested except in case of an emergency.
• Helps plan, coordinate and implement new special events and unit programming to provide quality, diversified programs to meet resident group and individual needs.
• Evaluate programs and based upon these evaluations make recommendations for changes and revisions.
• Provides materials and programming to meet resident’s individual cultural and faith-based practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Therapeutic Recreation.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility.
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing service, and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary (especially on or about Dept. of Health Survey period)
• Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Must be able to withstand heat and temps in the kitchen.
• Must be aware of potential hazards including falls due to wet floors, dangers of cuts and burns if operating kitchen machinery.

Physical and Sensory Requirements

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and, at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to climb stairs in case of fire. Sits, stands, stoops, bends, & walks intermittently during the workday.
• Must be able to move residents in wheelchairs or recliners.
• Must be physically able to stand for long periods of time.
• Must possess sufficient eye-hand coordination, gross motor coordination & stamina necessary to conduct various Recreation programs.
• Verbal ability needed to communicate with the residents.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

Mental Demands:

• Must be able to follow orders & properly perform assigned tasks.
• Must be able to get along with & work well with others.
• Must be able to relate to geriatric, TBI, short term rehab residents and disabled residents of all ages and conditions.
• Must have be able to exhibit interpersonal skills including verbal communication, non-verbal communication, listening skills, problem solving, decision making and assertiveness in order to interact effectively with resident and staff.

Position Expectations:

• An active advocate for every Medford Resident
• Consistently maintains high level of professionalism
• Proud representative of Medford Multicare Center for the living
• In order to provide the highest quality of service to our residents, it is essential that you honor your commitment to report to work, on-time, whenever scheduled.

JOB RELATIONSHIPS:

Director of Therapeutic Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation staff members and all other Medford staff.

Note: A job description cannot identify all examples of work performed by an employee and should be used as a guide in understanding the nature of the work.