Job Title: Recreation Therapist/Family & Peer Interactions Facilitator
Job Location: Lincoln
Immediate Supervisor: Inpatient OT Clinical Director and/or Director Inpatient Therapy
Status: Hourly
JOB OVERVIEW
Responsible for planning and administering recreation therapy treatment programs for patients to address leisure skills, community reintegration, recreation resources and activities which promote diversion and socialization. Responsible for facilitating virtual communications with families, peers and other appropriate parties as supported by the rehabilitation team. Responsible for initiating and coordinating peer interaction opportunities. Responsible for delivering and/or delegating quality patient care from admission through discharge, including patient and family education/training. Responsible for maintaining accurate and timely documentation. Work will be performed in an ethical and legal manner following organizational policies, processes, protocols and procedures. Responsible for quality service delivery and internal/external customer relations for Madonna as a whole, including upholding the mission and values for the department and facility.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
(INFORMATION)
Coordinates the scheduling, set-up and provision of virtual communications between inpatients and appropriate external parties.
Facilitates the use of technology during the virtual visits including positioning and holding of equipment, initiating calls/making contact and introductions as needed and active problem solving of any challenges that arise.
Works collaboratively with Volunteer Resources and the Program Managers to maintain the peer volunteer database.
Works collaboratively with Volunteer Resources and the Program Managers to update, maintain and implement the peer training curriculum.
Works collaboratively with Marketing to develop and maintain online resources such as chat groups or other mechanisms to facilitate interaction between past and current patients.
Selects, administers and interprets appropriate leisure evaluation procedures for patients.
Compiles, records and analyzes evaluation information in order to assist in establishing a treatment program.
Records pertinent patient information in order to document changes and comply with legal and ethical standards, including daily charting, team summary, insurance justifications, initial and discharge summaries, plan of care, and patient programs.
Records treatment modalities in order to insure accurate financial records.
Analyzes and revises treatment programs to insure continuing appropriate intervention.
Modifies therapeutic interventions to accommodate the age of the patient
Analyzes, synthesizes and applies research and literature to assist with the development and implementation of new department services and programs.
(PEOPLE)
Facilitates virtual interactions with families and other appropriate external entities.
Works with the rehab teams to match appropriate peer volunteers to inpatients and facilitate interactions either virtually or in person.
Provides or delegates recreation therapy treatment to patients, including assessment of leisure skills, leisure education, community reintegration, time management skills and provision of leisure resources.
Supports and facilitates the use of common spaces to promote peer interactions.
Leads, supervises, instructs and assists patients and families/caregivers in group and individual treatment sessions in order to carry out appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Provides education regarding the patient's condition and/or disease process so that patients and families will have a basic understanding.
Participates, confers and negotiates at team meetings to develop an appropriate team plan for each patient.
Supervises Rehab Associates, students and volunteers.
Communicates effectively with patients, families, staff, outside contacts/sources.
Instructs and teaches staff new information through in-services, per the education process.
Participates and assists in department and/or facility committees and/or task forces.
Instructs and teaches students from professional programs, as assigned.
Follows instruction from supervisor and/or director to perform other functions as assigned in order to achieve the goals within the department and the program.
Must perceive customer relations as a primary focus, and continually strive to satisfy the needs of every customer in all areas of the work force.
Provides coverage as determined necessary for other members of the recreation therapy department.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Medium work with lifting up to 50 pounds. Manual patient transfer or reposition which does not exceed the equivalent of 35 pounds of force to lift, push or pull. Requires sufficient strength to produce 50 pounds of force to push a wheelchair with a 300-pound individual on level surfaces. Frequent walking with maximum duration of up to 1 hour on tile, carpet and other surfaces. Frequent sitting with sustained periods of up to 1 hour. Occasional standing for periods up to 1 hour on tile, carpet and other surfaces. Occasional set-up of tables, lifting wheelchairs into vehicles, lifting boxes/bags weighing up to 20 pounds and pushing loaded carts.
Frequent reaching with both arms at low, waist, and high levels. Frequent grasping of both hands for treatments requiring normal grip strength based on national averages. Occasional climbing, stooping, bending, kneeling and twisting are required for patient care and room set-up for leisure events.
Constant near visual acuity to evaluate and monitor patients and the technical equipment. Ordinary hearing and speaking skills.
Primarily indoor work (70%) with outdoor work (30%) focused on community reintegration and outdoor leisure activities.
May be exposed to biohazardous materials.
May be exposed to patients who are in an agitated or aggressive state.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor�s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) preferred. Experience with disabled and elderly populations preferred. Experience working in a rehabilitation setting preferred. Must have valid Nebraska driver's license and proof of good driving record. Must have ability to learn and comprehend instructions and directions for simple and traditional leisure activities, including basic board, table, and card games, basic art, craft and sewing activities, basic music skills, and basic outdoor sports and activities. Must have expertise in virtual services or the desire and ability to learn virtual technology including Zoom. CPR for Health Care Provider /CPR Professional Rescuer preferred.
