Recreational Therapist

LONGLEAF NEURO-MEDICAL TREATMENT CENTER; Rocky Mount (NC); On-site; USD 41,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Longleaf Neuro-Medical Treatment Center in Wilson, NC seeks a Recreational Therapist to ensure clinical and regulatory integrity of the practice. The role includes assessments to identify residents’ psychosocial, cognitive, and leisure needs, and to implement person-centered interventions to enhance quality of life.

The therapist develops treatment plans, documents progress, and collaborates with the care team to support rehabilitation and independence for residents with complex medical needs.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of anatomy and therapy approaches related to health and functioning.
• Experience applying Recreational Therapy to individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness.
• Experience with co-occurring disorders and impact on therapy.
• Ability to administer assessments and develop treatment plans.
• Strong communication and leadership, including reporting to teams and families.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify residents' needs for recreational therapy.
• Provide care plan recommendations reflecting individual assessments.
• Implement evidence-based recreational therapy interventions to improve quality of life.
• Document participation, progress, and outcomes in resident records.

Skills

Anatomy knowledge

Recreational Therapy

Co-occurring disorders

Assessments

Communication

Leadership

Job description

Longleaf Neuro-Medical Treatment Center (LNMTC), located in Wilson, NC, is a state-operated certified Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF). With a staff of about 520, LNMTC provides support to approximately 200 residents with complex medical needs and/or co-existing neuro-cognitive disorders.

Description of Work

The primary purpose of the Recreational Therapist is to ensure the clinical, ethical, administrative, and regulatory integrity of the practice of Recreational Therapy. To this end, the Recreational Therapist (a) conducts comprehensive, age-appropriate, and population-specific assessments to identify residents' psychosocial, cognitive, emotional, physical, and leisure functioning needs within the long-term care and psychiatric setting; (b) provides care plan recommendations that reflect residents' individually assessed needs and preferences for Recreational Therapy and leisure activities; (c) implements evidence-based and person-centered Recreational Therapy interventions and leisure services designed to enhance quality of life, promote psychosocial well-being, support emotional regulation, encourage social engagement, and maximize functional abilities; and (d) accurately documents residents' participation, response to treatment interventions, progress toward established goals, and overall therapeutic outcomes in a timely and professional manner in accordance with facility policies, clinical standards, and applicable regulatory guidelines. This position is supervised by the Director of Activities, who maintains a National Certification and licensure through the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy.

Recruitment Range: $41,407 to $62,111

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

• Knowledge of human anatomy, physiology, movement mechanics, lifecycle growth and development, psychological functioning, pathology, and cognitive/motor learning as they relate to health and human functioning.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience applying Recreational Therapy theories, principles, techniques, and methods to support individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness, with a focus on rehabilitation, remediation, and independence.
• Experience working with co-occurring disorders and understanding their impact on Recreational Therapy services and treatment approaches.
• Ability to administer assessments, evaluate client functioning, develop treatment plans, monitor progress, maintain accurate records, and recommend appropriate services and supports in accordance with professional standards.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, including presenting evaluative reports to interdisciplinary teams and families, articulating Recreational Therapy goals and strategies, using adaptive/assistive devices, and training or supervising interns and staff.