Recreation Therapist

Job Summary

The role of the Recreation Therapist is to provide clients with support based on treatment plans and goals. This position assists current clients in finding positive motivation to engage and follow through with treatment recommendations. This role also provides ongoing assistance through continued support of Sanford alumni.

Role and Responsibilities

• Provides support for carrying out desired overall program outcomes and adherence to rules, local, state and accreditation regulations and standards.
• Implements programming at various levels of care.
• Orients clients to the program, and client supervision as well as facilitation/co-facilitation and documentation of experiential groups, skills groups, community outings, recreational therapy, and therapeutically supported lunches for up to 25 billable hours per week.
• Participates and eats with clients during snack and mealtimes.
• Delivers services with a person-centered approach that is intended for motivating the client to continue treatment and follow through with treatment recommendations.
• Ensures that progress notes are completed in a timely manner and files are maintained in accordance with quality assurance standards.
• Assists in the continued support of alumni, as needed.
• Assists in the support and orientation of interns and other staff members, as needed.
• Participates in staff development and training, including staff meetings, in-service training, advanced skill workshops, and continuing education.
• Participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings.
• Ensures maintenance of client rights, health, welfare, and safety by providing support to all team members and by maintaining continuity of quality care.
• Stays up to date on professional licenses and/or certifications and all necessary continuing education and supervision as required.
• Presents professionally to the public when representing Sanford CTED.
• Ensures that all documentation of services is completed within 24 hours of services being rendered.
• Participates in a multi-disciplinary team and provides support in the follow through of discharge and continuing care recommendations.
• Adheres to the established Code of Ethics, Standards of Practice, Person Centered Philosophy and employee handbook.
• Actively engages with the milieu during non-therapeutic hours, as necessary to support the unit.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree minimum with a recreational therapy degree and certification, required.
• Experience working with clients with eating disorders and/or other mental health issues, preferred.

Knowledge, skills, & Abilities

• Effective communication skills, self-motivation, good leadership potential, knowledge of case management, and good decision-making ability.
• Ability to work with a team milieu approach to treatment.
• Ability to identify own strengths and areas of improvement and communicate needs to supervisor.
• Knowledge of electronic medical records (EMR).
• Ability to adhere to and knowledge of all HIPAA guidelines.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality on all client records and business-related records, as required under HIPAA guidelines.
• Demonstrates professional behavior reflective of Sanford’s Mission Statement, Philosophy, and Values.
• Must be able to relate well to all kinds of people both inside and outside the organization; builds appropriate rapport; builds constructive and effective relationships; uses diplomacy and tact; can diffuse even high-tension situations comfortably.
• Must possess positive attitude to enhance a cooperative and energetic work environment.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to walk the unit and interact with clients while not participating in groups.
• Must be able to lift 35 pounds.
• Must be able to adapt to the physical demands of lifting clients, bending, stooping, and stretching with or without assistance.
• Must be able to perform repetitive tasks such as typing for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to clearly express and exchange ideas by means of spoken words to impart oral information to employees or others accurately or quickly, engaging in sometimes lengthy conversations or presentations.
• Must be able to seize, hold, grasp, turn or otherwise work with your hand or hands.
• Must be able to perceive sound by ear to interpret oral information from employees or others accurately or quickly.
• Work will be performed in an office environment with fluctuating temperatures.

ADA Disclaimer

The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position adequately.  If requested, reasonable accommodation will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. All requests must be made to the Human Resource Department in writing.

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice and employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions or assignments.  All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.  I understand that my signature below indicates my understanding of the requirements, essential functions, and the duties of this position.

Sanford Behavioral Health is an equal opportunity employer, drug-free workplace, and complies with ADA regulations as applicable.