Recreational Therapist I

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Oversees patients’ assessments, preadmissions, admissions and interprets integrated assessment procedures into an initial plan of care.
• Partners with hospital staff to discuss program activities, resolve problems ensuring departmental continuity; alerts clinical/staff to any special problems or issues that may affect treatment.
• Provides leisure education designed to help patients acquire the knowledge and skills needed for independence and social involvement.
• Completes casework of recreational documentation (assessments, progress notes etc.) to develop, implement and modify as needed, appropriate long and short-term treatment programs, plans of care and develops individual patient therapeutic goals and objectives.
• Educates patients and families members regarding evaluation findings and current skills; develops and instructs in home programs, as appropriate.
• Serves as a representative of the Recreation Department at various meetings, including interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Orders and maintains recreational supplies and equipment to assure their availability and safety for patient use.
• Attends professional meetings, seminars, and conferences to maintain a comprehensive and current knowledge of recreation therapy.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles, theory, practice, and terminology of Therapeutic Recreation.
• Familiarity with the factors, trends, and problems in providing recreation services to special client groups including techniques of adapted physical education.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and document concisely to develop ideas in logical sequence.
• Ability to demonstrate knowledge and skills regarding age specific physiological changes, developmental needs, and appropriate therapeutic intervention.
• Capacity to work effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary team.
• Talent for establishing rapport and maintain harmonious working relationships with persons from varied ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds.
• Skilled in exercising discretion in handling confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Skilled in exercising a high degree of initiative, judgement, discretion, and decision making to achieve objectives.
• Thoroughness, independence, and excellent written and oral communication skills.
• CTRS certification (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist).
• One-year experience in a healthcare facility desirable.

About Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children (PRHC):

Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children (PRHC) located in Canton, MA is a Joint Commission Accredited, 90+ bed pediatric hospital predominately serving children and young adults (ages 8–22) operated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. The mission of PRHC is to provide medical, rehabilitative, educational, recreational, habilitative, transitional, and complementary alternative medical services to children and young adults with multiple disabilities, assisting them to achieve their optimal level of independence in all aspects of life. PRHC offers coordinated medical care and therapies in a hospital-based environment, as well as, K-12 schooling, located on the grounds. Educational Services are provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In addition, PRHC offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities such as swimming, horseback riding, adaptive sports, and many opportunities for socialization for disabled children and young adults.

Learn more about our important work: https://www.mass.gov/locations/pappas-rehabilitation-hospital-for-children

Total Compensation:

As an employee of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts you are offered a great career opportunity influencing a wide-spectrum of services to the diverse populations we serve – but it’s more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits which you should consider towards your overall compensation, including:

• 75% state paid medical insurance premium
• Reasonable Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees’ Pension and a Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefit for employee and spouse at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Incentive-based Wellness Programs
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2

Minimum Entrance Requirements:

Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in planning, organizing, instituting or conducting therapeutic recreation services in a recognized public or private agency, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience in the substitution below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in recreation, recreation education, creative arts therapy or therapeutic recreation may be substituted for the required experience.*

• Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.