RECREATION THERAPIST II/CORRECTIONAL HEALTH

Los Angeles County Department of Human Resources; California; On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking passionate individuals to join their team as Recreation Therapists. This role involves providing professional recreational therapy services to assist patients in overcoming mental or physical disabilities. You will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of underserved populations within the correctional health system. The position offers a chance for permanent employment after an initial assessment period, and you will be part of a mission-driven organization committed to improving health outcomes for vulnerable communities. If you are dedicated to making a difference, this is the role for you.

Benefits

20% Recruitment and Retention Bonus

Health Benefits

Professional Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited college specializing in Recreation Therapy.
• Two years of experience at the level of Recreation Therapist I.

Responsibilities

• Plans and directs recreation therapy programs for treatment and rehabilitation.
• Supervises therapeutic recreational activities and evaluates their effectiveness.

Skills

Recreation Therapy

Therapeutic Recreation

Assessment Techniques

Supervision

Community Adjustment Programs

Education

Bachelor's in Recreation Therapy

Master's in Recreation Therapy

Tools

Therapeutic Equipment

Job description

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

Open Competitive - EMERGENCY

EXAM NUMBER: Y5872N-DOJ

FIRST DAY OF FILING: November 20, 2023 at 12:00 p.m., PT - Until the needs of the services are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

CORRECTIONAL HEALTH SERVICES – 20% RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION BONUS
The County of Los Angeles is currently offering up to 20% bonus for full-time Recreation Therapist II positions hired by Correctional Health Services and working on-site in a designated facility to meet critical healthcare needs for the uniquely underserved jail population.

SPECIAL SALARY INFORMATION:
Due to Critical Shortage Recruitment, new appointments and current incumbents shall be compensated at step 3 of the applicable salary range. This is in effect until June 30, 2024 or until it is determined that a shortage no longer exists, whichever is sooner.

Los Angeles County is under a Department of Justice Consent Decree to improve conditions and mental health care in County jails, as well as supporting justice-involved populations post-release. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of providing a range of services both in the jail and community.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is seeking qualified candidates to fill emergency Recreation Therapist II vacancies related to the DOJ Consent Decree.

Under the emergency order, applicants who meet the requirements may be hired for an initial period of up to 90 days, with an opportunity for permanent County employment.

Before the end of your initial work period, you will be assessed on your work performance. This assessment will be weighted 100%.

Those who successfully pass the assessment will be considered for permanent appointment to Recreation Therapist II.

ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY:
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS) is the second largest municipal health system in the nation. DHS operates as an integrated health system, operating 25 health centers and four acute care hospitals, in addition to providing health care to youth in the juvenile justice system and inmates in the LA County jails. Across the network of DHS' directly operated clinical sites and through partnerships with community-based clinics, DHS cares for about 600,000 unique patients each year, employs over 23,000 staff, and has an annual operating budget of 6.9 billion.

Through academic affiliations with the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the University of Southern California (USC), and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Sciences (CDU), DHS hospitals are training sites for physicians completing their Graduate Medical Education in nearly every medical specialty and subspecialty.

MISSION: To advance the health of our patients and our communities by providing extraordinary care.

DEFINITION: Provides a full range of professional recreational therapy services to assist patients with mental or physical disabilities to attain, regain, or maintain physical, social, or mental functioning or to adjust to their disabilities.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Positions allocable to this class receive general administrative supervision from higher-level recreation therapy supervisors or a Rehabilitation Therapy Chief, and clinical guidance from a higher-level recreation therapist. Comprehensive recreation therapy services are provided to patients in a range of settings such as acute medical, psychiatric, or rehabilitation hospitals or out-patient clinics.

• Plans, organizes and directs a recreation therapy program designed to assist in the treatment and rehabilitation of hospital, clinic, or institutionalized patients or clients.
• Supervises and conducts a variety of individual and group therapeutic recreational, social and physical treatment modalities.
• Selects, administers, analyzes, and interprets a variety of standardized and non-standardized assessment techniques of cognitive and social skills.
• Defines recreation therapy goals and objectives and plans, develops and implements the recreation therapy programs.
• Contributes to the medical and rehabilitative services by participating in case, colleague and systems consultations.
• Conducts and/or coordinates social/leisure discharge planning and community adjustment programs.
• Develops and maintains liaison with community agencies and recreation facilities.
• Evaluates the quality and effectiveness of existing recreation therapy programs and services.
• Documents treatment services in accordance with departmental, local, state, federal, and JCAHO regulations.
• Delegates responsibilities and assigns treatment procedures to subordinate recreation therapy personnel.
• Orients new staff and members of inter-disciplinary team to therapeutic recreation procedures.
• Provides technical guidance to subordinate staff and students.
• Evaluates current and future need for facilities, supplies and equipment.
• Attends and participates in professional conferences, seminars and workshops.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with specialization in Recreation Therapy or Therapeutic Recreation - AND - Two (2) years of experience in the practice of Recreation Therapy at the level of Recreation Therapist I. A Master's degree in Recreation Therapy or Recreation with a specialization in Therapeutic Recreation may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

LICENSE:

• Current certification to practice as a Recreation Therapist issued by the California Board of Parks and Recreation Certification -OR- Current certification to practice as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

Applicants must provide the certificate number in the Supplemental Questionnaire or attach a legible photocopy of the certificate issued at the time of filing. All required licenses and certifications must be active and unrestricted, or your application will not be accepted.

Physical Class III – Moderate: This class requires that the incumbent stand or walk most of the time with bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, reaching, working on irregular surfaces, occasional lifting of objects weighing over 25 pounds, and frequent lifting of 10-25 pounds.

You MUST meet the above requirements in order to be appointed to fill any vacancy related to this recruitment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
In order to receive credit for the required degree, you must attach a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or an official letter from the accredited institution that shows the area of specialization at the time of filing.

OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS:
Before the end of your initial work period, the appointing department will evaluate your performance. Those who achieve a passing score on this evaluation will be considered for permanent appointment.

VACANCY INFORMATION:
The current vacancies are to be filled within Correctional Health.

APPLICATIONS & FILLING INFORMATION: Applications must be filed online only.

Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address.

FAIR CHANCE INITIATIVE:
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States.

ADA COORDINATOR PHONE: [phone]

CALIFORNIA RELAY SERVICES PHONE: [phone]

DEPARTMENT CONTACT: Martin Hernandez, Exam Analyst
[e-mail]