Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

SUMMARY

The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist is responsible for planning, organizing, facilitating, and evaluating programming for residents/tenants/patients consistent with regulations, established policies, procedures and best practices. Designed to meet the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual needs for residents/ tenants.  

Schedule: Sunday-Thursday, 10:00am-6:30pm

Pay: $20/hour

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Plan, organize, facilitate and evaluate Therapeutic Recreation programs/interventions.  
  • Collaborate with residents/tenants/patients, families, and staff to implement programs/interventions which meet the five domains of Therapeutic Recreation
  • Create programming schedules and promote participation effectively (e.g. table tents in the dining room, flyers, and bulletin boards). Provide guidance, training and direction to volunteers/interns including providing supplies, materials and additional support as needed. 
• Serve as a resource for residents, tenants and families.    
  • Review therapeutic recreation opportunities within the facility and the campus*
  • Conduct interviews with residents, tenants and as needed with families to assist in special programming needs.
  • Assist residents/tenants with pursuing leisure interests/programs of their choice independently, in a group, individual, out in the community or 1:1 setting.  Provide resident/tenant with leisure supplies as needed.  Plan implement and participate in outings and special events.
  • Create newsletters/communications informing residents/tenants and families of upcoming programs and events including recreation opportunities within the community, as needed.
  • Coordinate with family to provide leisure supplies for residents/tenants/patients as needed.
  • Assist in tracking inventory, placing orders and inspecting equipment and supplies, as requested.
  • Utilize Listen, Understand, and Act techniques, as needed with residents/tenants.
  • Complete paperwork for program-related requests (i.e. catering, bus, room set-ups). 
• Work with the Therapeutic Recreation Director to stay within the assigned budget.  
  • Communicate and track costs for all supplies/materials, special programs and events, etc. 
• Work with the Therapeutic Recreation team in scheduling campus wide programs and events, and support these events as requested.  
  • Assist with scheduling musical entertainment and other performances, weekend special events, luncheons, dinners, community outings, etc. 
  • Secure community support for off-site outings including making reservations, ordering tickets, etc.
• Coordinate programming with other departments, individuals or groups inside and outside of Sholom. Including but not limited to:
  • Communicate with the Environmental Services department for desired set-up of space used for programs or events as appropriate.
  • Communicate with the Nutritional Services department for all special food and beverage requests for programs and events as needed.
  • Serve on, participate in and attend meetings including various committees, campus-required in-services, and facility meetings designed to enhance interdisciplinary process, as assigned. 
• Operates passenger bus/van as needed to assure safe transportation of residents/tenants/patients to and from various program destinations and assists residents or tenants before, during and following transport.  Ensure the health and safety of residents/tenants by driving safely and obeying all traffic and Sholom regulations.
• Follow all company policies and procedures.
• Perform miscellaneous projects and complete various tasks as requested by management.

Care Center & Assisted Living Specific Functions

1. Participate as a member of an Inter-Disciplinary Team (IDT) to assess and address resident/tenant needs in a consistent cross-disciplinary manner.  
2. Create and maintain a variety of documents, records and reports including: 
   1. Meet and greet new residents/tenants and complete initial clinical therapeutic recreation assessment. 
   2. Complete all necessary paperwork and documentation ensuring compliance with the Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 as needed. 
   3. Communicate and care plan MDS findings to IDT, as appropriate. 
   4. Track resident/tenant leisure participation (programs and independent). 
   5. Update IDT about significant observations and/or concerns with residents/tenants. 
3. Promote a spirit of cooperation with all regulatory organizations managing with an expectation of appropriate compliance and corrective measures. 

Transition Care Unit (TCU) Specific Functions

1. Responsible for ensuring the patients have a health leisure lifestyle to maintain/increase emotional well-being and remain motivated for therapies.*
2. Provide discharge leisure planning and leisure education; approach is dependent on if patient is moving back to current living situation or new environment.*
3. Assist programming on long-term care as needed.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field from accredited university preferred.
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Activity Director Certified (ADC), strongly preferred.
• Ability to obtain DOT Medical Examiner’s certificate, and ability to pass random DOT controlled substance test.
• Current certification in CPR preferred; upon hire if not certified, must obtain no later than 90 days from hire.
• One or more years’ experience working with individuals with dementia preferred.
• One or more years’ hands on experience with seniors preferred.
• One or more years’ experience planning and facilitating therapeutic recreation programs preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal skills to interact effectively with a variety of people and personalities inside and outside the organization.  Able to effectively handle interactions at all levels and to respond appropriately in sensitive situations.
• Able to display high levels of customer service, responding promptly and thoroughly to the inquiries and needs of individuals both internal and external to the organization in accordance with our PROUD standards.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing to all levels of people inside and outside the organization, including possessing good English speaking skills, fluency and understandability.
• Detail-oriented, organized and applies effective time management skills in order to meet all deadlines.  Able to successfully prioritize and manage multiple tasks and numerous projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Work as an effective and proactive team player; understands the importance of supporting the organization, residents, customers and other Sholom employees.
• Display flexibility to meet organization’s unique needs and to be productive in an environment with regular interruptions.
• Understand and maintain confidential nature of organization and client information, including and in accordance to HIPAA regulations.
• Able to understand and follow facility and department safety and emergency procedures.
• Able to understand the use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals used in cleaning. Keep chemicals and cleaning supplies safely stored.
• Able to follow and adhere to Universal Precautions and Infection Control procedures related to Nursing. 
• Familiar with computers and software, including using the Internet, Microsoft Office, Publisher, Outlook and other applications.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO PERFORM THIS JOB

Incumbent must be able to: 

• Perform light work, lifting up to 20 pounds, with frequent lifting/carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Push and move wheelchairs with residents of all weights and sizes for short and long distances.
• Twist, turn, bend, stoop, kneel, squat, stand, walk and reach frequently in the performance of therapeutic recreation programs, picking up supplies and transporting residents. 
• Ability to effectively communicate, including following oral and written instructions in the English language, in order to communicate with residents, staff and caregivers.
• Work at a desk and perform work at a computer.
• Physical ability to move around office/building area repeatedly throughout the day.
• Apply manual dexterity, visual acuity and ability, for computer keyboarding, office equipment use, performance of recreational programs, review detailed reports, information, fine print and warning labels.
• Able to work a flexible work schedule, including overtime, nights and weekends as required including attending events/meetings as needed.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Incumbent must be able to use telephone, computer and standard office equipment.  In addition, ability to use a variety of equipment needed for Therapeutic Recreation programs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment is primarily indoors.  Occasional exposure to a variety of weather conditions in traveling outside of the workplace or events held outside.

 This job description does not necessarily list all the functions or accountabilities of the job.  Employees may be asked by management to perform additional duties and tasks.   Management reserves the right to revise and update job descriptions at any time.  

 Sholom is dedicated to the health and safety of its residents, family members, and team members. All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of relevant background, employment verification and TB tests, as well as participating in mandatory vaccine programs (ex. COVID-19), testing requirements (ex. COVID-19, TB), and using designated PPE where and when required.

Sholom is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.