Recreation Therapist HELPS

Minimum Qualifications

• a bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation.
  
  

Or 2. a bachelor's degree in Recreation, Physical Education or Adaptive Physical Education AND one year of experience in planning and administering a therapeutic recreation program which involved developing and coordinating therapeutic recreational activities for geriatric patients/residents, individuals with developmental disabilities, individuals with psychiatric disabilities, individuals that are physically challenged, or individuals in treatment for chemical dependency.

Or 3. current credentials as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) issued by the National Council For Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), 7 Elmwood Drive, New City, NY 10956. For further information you may contact them at (845) 639-1439 or at www.NCTRC.org

Or 4. current licensure by NYS as a Creative Arts Therapist. For information about licensure, visit www.op.nysed.gov or call (518) 474-3817.

Duties Description

As a Recreation Therapist you would plan and conduct activities for resident groups, working individually or as a member of a treatment team or treatment program. Participate in MDS, Care Plans, initial resident assessments, continuous observation, documenting behavior changes, cognitive skills, collaborating with other disciplines and care givers of the overall care of the Veterans as well as assisting other Recreation Therapists in all activity programs. The goal of each program is to bring about positive change in a resident's mental, physical and/or social behavior.

Additional Comments

Salary includes $3,400.00 downstate adjustment.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a noncompetitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At this time, agencies may recruit and hire employees by making temporary appointments. In May 2024, if a temporary NY HELPS employee is performing satisfactorily in the position, the appointment will be changed from temporary pending Civil Service Commission Action to permanent non-competitive and the official probationary period will begin.

At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges as competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...
  
  

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The NYS Department of Health is committed to making New York a safer, healthier, and more equitable place to live. Understanding health equity, social determinants of health and health disparities is critical to accomplish our goal of eliminating health disparities. For more information on the NYS Department of Health’s Mission, Vision, Values and Strategic Plan, please visit: https://health.ny.gov/commissioner/index.htm

Salary : $55,598 - $70,034