Job Summary:

The Recreational Therapist will plan, direct, and coordinate medically approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. The Recreational Therapist will also assess patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Develops treatment plans to meet patient needs through needs assessment, patient interest, and therapy objectives. Observes, analyzes, and records patients participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions and modifies treatment programs as needed.
• Counsels and encourages patients to develop leisure activities. Encourages clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and engage in health-promoting leisure activities such as sports, games, arts, and crafts, and gardening.
• Conducts therapy sessions to improve patients mental and physical well-being. Confers with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
• Instructs patients on activities and techniques such as sports, dance, music, art, and relaxation techniques designed to meet their specific physical and psychological needs.
• Obtains information from medical records, medical staff, family members, and the patients themselves to assess patients capabilities, needs, and interests.
• Plans, organizes, directs, and participates in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients rehabilitation, to help them integrate into the community, and to prevent further medical problems.
• Prepares and submits reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients reactions and evidence of progress or regression.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in related field required.
• Two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.