The Recreation Therapist is responsible for treating each patient (adolescent, adult, geriatric) assigned, determining short-term and long-term goals in conjunction with the patient and other Shepherd Center team members, and developing and implementing a comprehensive treatment program to meet these goals with moderate direct supervision. This hands-on and rewarding role gives the Recreation Therapist the opportunity to interact directly with patients, making an impact on their recovery through the rehabilitation continuum to their home community environment.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Recreation Therapist is to plan, direct, and coordinate recreation leisure-based treatments to patients.  A Recreation Therapist will plan and implement programming of events   to meet the needs of patients and appropriate community members with disabilities.
Job Functions:

• Schedules patients for individual specialist meetings, classes, outings, and in-center activities on a weekly basis.
• Schedule and implement individual patient meetings on leisure education and skills are completed on a weekly basis, or more often if appropriate.
• Determines equipment needs in consultation with patient support system and other appropriate team members.
• Uses evaluation findings to determine appropriate discharge planning needs.
• Develops and implements treatment program to further patient's functional skills, which is then periodically reassessed and adapted.
• Provides patient and/or family with resources for use after discharge.
• Facilitates community reintegration outings in accordance with policies and procedures for 1:1, group and/or team outings.
• Prepares for and effectively teaches classes and lectures, conveying appropriate information and facilitating participant involvement to patients, family, and caregivers.
• Participates in and modifies individual family training according to the needs of patient/family. 
• To plan, implement, and recap inhouse and community programming throughout the year.
• Recognizes and discusses “age” developmental differences between adolescent, adult, and geriatric patients, communicates effectively with all patients, and relates this to all aspects of treatment.
• Assigns duties to supportive personnel (students, volunteers, aides, techs, nursing, therapists) and supervises performance.     

• May float to inpatient, post-acute, or outpatient programs to provide patient evaluation or treatment sessions as needed.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree from accredited program in Therapeutic Recreation.

REQUIRED MINIMUM CERTIFICATION

• Certification by NCTRC as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. (CTRS)
• Basic Life Support (BLS) within 90 days of start date.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• Three years of experience within the field of Recreation Therapy.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS

• Three years of experience within the field of Recreation Therapy.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Three years of experience within the field of Recreation Therapy.
• Current Georgia driver's license and insurable by Shepherd Center's auto insurance policy preferred. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Uses body, tools, or special devices to safely, effectively, and efficiently to move, guide, or place patients. Involves some latitude for judgement with regards to precision attained and the selection of what adaptive device(s) to utilize.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Normal patient care environment.
• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids. 
• Some potential exposure to infectious viruses.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.