Recreational Therapist - Behavioral Sciences Campus

UTHealth Houston; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid medical premiums

Generous time off (37-38 days per year)

Longevity Pay after two years

Retirement/pension plan

Job summary

UTHealth Houston is seeking a Recreation Therapist to implement therapeutic activities aimed at enhancing patients' mental and physical health. The therapist will develop and document individualized treatment plans and facilitate various therapeutic groups.

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Therapy and the necessary certifications. This role is vital in delivering effective and evidence-based interventions to support patient recovery and leads to a fulfilling environment for both patients and staff.

Qualifications

• Experience working in a multidisciplinary hospital setting.
• Experience with psychiatric or behavioral health populations.
• 1 year of NCTRC certification required or 2 years of TRS/TXC certification.

Responsibilities

• Develop recreational therapy programs to assist patients.
• Administer recreation activities and instruct patients.
• Maintain documentation for patient medical records.
• Monitor and coordinate patient-care with other disciplines.
• Assess and implement treatment plan goals.

Skills

Therapeutic activities

Patient assessment

Program development

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Therapy

Job description

Recreation Therapists use therapeutic activities to support patients' mental, emotional, social, and physical well-being. Our Recreation Therapists assess patient needs, develop individualized treatment plans, document patient progress through daily group notes, and facilitate groups focused on coping skills, stress management, leisure education, social interaction, self-expression, and wellness. Through evidence-based interventions, Recreation Therapists help patients build healthy coping strategies, improve functioning, increase engagement in treatment, and support recovery goals in a safe and therapeutic environment across many patient populations. Candidates with experience working in a multidisciplinary hospital setting and with psychiatric or behavioral health populations are preferred.

Benefits

• 100% paid medical premiums for our full-time employees
• Generous time off (holidays, preventative leave day, both vacation and sick time – all of which equates to around 37-38 days per year)
• The longer you stay, the more vacation you’ll accrue!
• Longevity Pay (Monthly payments after two years of service)
• Build your future with our awesome retirement/pension plan!

Work/Life Services

• Free financial and legal counseling
• Free mental health counseling services
• Gym membership discounts and access to wellness programs
• Other employee discounts including entertainment, car rentals, cell phones, etc.
• Resources for child and elder care
• Plus many more!

Position Summary

Provides a role in treatment centered interventions through therapeutic recreation programs.

Position Key Accountabilities

• Develops recreational therapy programs to assist patients toward stabilization and developing healthier and productive lifestyles.
• Administers recreation activities to patients and instructs patients in the benefits of the activities in which they are participating.
• Maintains all documentation required for patient medical records.
• Contributing to the effort toward department's strategic goals and achievement programs.
• Develops structured programs that will offer the patient the opportunity to reduce stress, improve mood, increase activity level and social skills.
• Assesses and implements treatment plan goals, and outcomes related to the identified problems.
• Monitors and coordinates patient-care by collaborating with other direct care disciplines.
• Documents patient progress and patient attendance records through a computer-based program while complying with department documentation requirements.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Certification / Skills

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) required.

Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Texas Certified (TRS/TXC) by Consortium for Therapeutic Recreation/Activities Certification, Inc. (CTRAC) required.

Minimum Education

Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Therapy, Leisure and/or Recreation Studies required.

Minimum Experience

1 year NCTRC certified as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist required OR 2 years Therapeutic Recreation Specialist/Texas Certified (TRS/TXC) required.

Physical Requirements

Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds frequently and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects.

Security Sensitive

This position is a security-sensitive position pursuant to Texas Education Code.

• 51.215 and Texas Government Code
• 411.094. To the extent that a position requires the holder to research, work on, or have access to critical infrastructure as defined in Texas Business and Commerce Code
• 117.001(2), the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure is a minimum qualification to be hired for and to continue to be employed in that position. Personnel in such positions, and similarly situated state contractors, will be routinely reviewed to determine whether things such as criminal history or continuous connections to the government or political apparatus of a foreign adversary might prevent the applicant, employee, or contractor from being able to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure. A foreign adversary is a nation listed in 15 C.F.R.
• 791.4.

Residency Requirement

Employees must permanently reside and work in the State of Texas.