Recreation Therapist

Bethany St. Joseph Corporation; Westby (WI); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Bethany St. Joseph Corporation seeks a Recreation Therapy Assistant to support a therapeutic program for residents. You will assist in planning, organizing and leading activities, assess needs, document progress, and coordinate with care staff to promote well-being.

Some evenings, weekends and holidays may be required. Responsibilities include transport support, group facilitation, and keeping accurate activity records in compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• Ability to understand people- physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.
• Ability to work independently.
• Be creative and organized.
• Basic medical and psychiatric terminology understanding.
• Knowledge of bio-psycho-social aspects of aging.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and executing recreational programs for geriatric residents.
• Write goals and objectives for assigned residents.
• Complete initial assessments and MDS on residents.
• Write quarterly notes on assigned caseload.
• Lead group activities and provide one-on-one visits as needed.
• Transport residents to and from activities and assist with outings.
• Maintain records of participation and behaviors per regulations.
• Communicate with Social Services, Dietary and Nursing as needed.

Skills

Public speaking

Independent work

Creativity

Organization

Communication

Education

2+ year degree in related field

Job description

HOURS/ SCHEDULE:Day Shift: 9:00 am - 5:00 pmEvery other Saturday: 9:30 am - 3:00 pmFull-time: 75 hours per pay periodJOB SUMMARY:This is a temporary position. Dates of employment would be 10/30/2026 - 02/22/2027To assist in planning, executing, under the direct supervision of the Recreation Therapy Director, an ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interests and physical, mental, psychosocial well-being of each residentJOB FUNCTIONSA. Responsibilities for Recreation Therapy Assistant1. Assist in the planning, organizing and executing recreational program to motivate and relate effectively with the geriatric population.2. Write goals and objectives on assigned residents.3. Complete initial assessments and MDS on assigned residents.4. Write quarterly notes on assigned caseload of residents as designated by Recreation therapy Director.5. Complete recreation therapy quarterly assessment check-off on assigned residents.6. Write progress notes as needed on assigned residents on specific wings as requested by the Recreation Therapy Director7. Assess each resident to plan appropriate recreation programs initially and quarterly to meet their individual leisure needs.8. Attend quarterly, significant change and family request staffing on assigned residents.9. Transport residents to and from recreation programs.10. Lead small and large group activities both within the facility.11. Provide on-on-one visits for assigned group of residents (i.e. sensory, reading, visiting)12. Organize and carry out resident groups for community outings.13. Work within flexible schedule to assist during special events that may not fall during regular business hours such as for outings, parties, etc., as well as carrying out other various assignments given by the Recreation Therapy Director.14. Maintain accurate records of activity participation and/or behaviors for each resident in accordance with federal and state requirements.15. Communicate with other departments about any necessary issues regarding the residents, including Social Services, Dietary and Nursing.16. Maintain orderly, clean and well-supplied working area.17. Promote resident safety at all times and follow on-the-job safety precautions to prevent accidents and infections.18. Act as a resident advocate.19. Familiarize with and adhere to the Resident’s Bill of rights and to State and Federal regulations regarding nursing home recreation programs.20. Familiarize with and adhere to Recreation Therapy Department policies and procedures.21. Familiarize with and adhere to nursing home personnel policies and procedures.22. Promote teamwork among staff and residents.23. May have responsibilities as the facility volunteer coordinator.24. Attend assigned meetings and in-services.This job description is not to be all-inclusive, and employee will also perform other reasonable related duties as assigned by the Recreation Therapy Director and Administrator.EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:2 + year degree in a related field for recreational programming or experience in planning, organizing and leading programs for those in a geriatric setting preferred.SPECIFIC JOB KNOWLEDGE:1. Ability to understand people-physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.2. Ability to work independently.3. Ability to speak publicly.4. Be creative and organized.5. Have a basic understanding and ability to use basic medical and psychiatric terminology.6. Have a basic understanding of the bio-psycho-social limitation imposed by aging, illness and disability as related to leisure involvement.7. Have a basic understanding of attitudes and self concepts of older adults and disabled persons toward themselves and their illness or disability.8. Have a basic understanding of the role of therapeutic recreation as a component of health care systems.9. Possess knowledge of local, state and federal laws, regulations and standards regarding recreation services.10. Have a basic knowledge of various adaptive equipment and devices.11. Have a basic knowledge of theory and techniques of therapeutic intervention useful in health care.12. Ability to enthusiastically guide, teach and lead recreation programs to residents.13. Ability to verbally communicate with residents.25. Work alone and/or with minimal direction.WORKING CONDITIONS1. Will work under the direction of the Recreation Therapy Director.2. Flexibility in hours required, including evenings, weekends and holidays.3. Suitable attire will be worn that promotes a neat professional appearance. It is recognized that attire will vary depending on the activities that the personnel are engaged in.4. Must be able to walk independently without devices.5. Tolerate working indoors as well as outdoors.6. Repetitive exposure to standing/walking/sitting/bending.7. Moderate amount/level of physical activity during shift.8. Repetitive exposure to hand washing.