RECREATIONAL THERAPIST II

The State of New Hampshire; Concord (NH); On-site; USD 35,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services and New Hampshire Hospital, have a full-time vacancy for a Recreational Therapist II in Concord, NH. The role plans and delivers recreational therapy for acute psychiatric patients to promote well-being and recovery, with a first-shift schedule.

Qualified candidates hold a CTRS certification, NH licensure, a valid driver’s license, and a bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or a related field.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of experience OR equivalent combination of 5 years of education and experience after high school.
• Education and experience must be in therapeutic recreation or related field.
• Licensure: CTRS certification and NH licensure; valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Administers rehab assessments and annual assessments to evaluate patient functioning.
• Develops and monitors individualized recreational therapy programs to maximize patient functioning.
• Plans evening and weekend activities to meet social and leisure needs of patients.
• Documents progress toward treatment goals in medical records and uses EHR effectively.
• Communicates with team members and hospital staff to ensure delivery of services.

Skills

CRITICAL THINKING

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field

5 years education/experience parity

Job description

For assistance, contact the State of New Hampshire - Division of Personnel Monday through Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST 603-271-3261 or [e-mail]

RECREATIONAL THERAPIST II

Full-Time, 1st Shift

Position#15912

$25.40/hour - $38.85/hour

Plus, Direct Care Pay Ten Dollars per week

Location: 36 Clinton St., Concord, NH

The State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services and New Hampshire Hospital have a full-time vacancy for Recreational Therapist II.

Summary: Plans and delivers recreational therapy services for acute psychiatric patients to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being and recovery.

YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS: Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s degree and 1 year of experience OR equivalent combination of 5 years of education and experience after completion of high school. Education and experience must be in therapeutic recreation or related field.

License/Certification:

• Successful examination and certification by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and authorization to use the initials CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist). Licensure as a Recreational Therapist by the New Hampshire Allied Health Professionals Governing Board for Recreational Therapists. If not yet licensed in New Hampshire, must have a conditional license.
• Valid driver’s license

Other Requirements: Physical requirements include continuous strenuous activities such as frequent reaching, bending, or lifting as well as performing work activities which require fine manual dexterity or coordination.

Trainee Option: Not applicable

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of recreational therapy, group work techniques and theory bases practice. Knowledge of problems associated with mental illness or emotional disabilities. Ability to offer alternatives to modify behavioral patterns through recreational/physical activities. Ability to plan recreational therapy program with an understanding of the principles, practices, and techniques of professional Therapeutic Recreation. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to secure the cooperation of both professional and non-professional persons. Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with other employees and the patient population. Willing to maintain appearance appropriate to assigned duties and responsibilities as determined by the agency appointing authority.

After-Hire Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of specified written and physical components of the NH Hospital Mental Health Worker Training Program within first four weeks of employment.

2. Must complete with NHH Human Resources a Department of Safety, Division of Motor Vehicles NH Driving Verification resulting in no major traffic violations.

3. Must complete defensive driver training within the first six months of employment. Additionally, all drivers are required to renew their defensive driver training every three years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

In-Band Advancement Available: No

Broad Group Level Advancement Available: No

Disclaimers

The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that job title.

When applicable, the work of an employee in trainee status in this position shall be overseen by a fully qualified individual. An employee in trainee status shall meet the minimum qualifications within the period of time specified on the SJD, not to exceed one year of being hired into this position.

Detailed Tasks (Agency/Position Specific)

• Administers Rehab assessments, discipline assessment and annual assessments of all patients referred for treatment to evaluate patient’s level of functioning. Develops treatment plan interventions and schedules patients to ensure individual and group programs meet treatment goals.
• Develops, implements, documents, and monitors individualized recreational therapy programs to maximize patient functioning in the areas of social, cognitive, psycho-educational, physical, emotional, and wellness of patients in individual and/or group programs.
• Plans and implements evening and weekend activities to meet the social and leisure needs of patients. Schedules patients for appropriate activity groups to meet individual needs and progress toward treatment goals.
• Plans and implements one special hospital event annually.
• Documents patient progress towards treatment goals in the medical record; prepares reports and statistical data as needed. Utilizes basic computer skills to successfully operate the Electronic Health Record (EHR), communicate through email and produce reports.
• Communicates and collaborates with team members department members, hospital staff, and community agencies through verbal or written means to ensure effective interdisciplinary patient services and continuation of services.
• Maintains treatment areas and equipment in a safe and therapeutic manner and assures that supplies are sufficient to meet patient and program needs. Requests purchase of equipment and supplies relevant to assigned area.
• Performs and participates in Quality Improvement activities to monitor and improve aspects of care.
• Participates in educational activities relevant to age and disability needs of population served to keep current on best practices in the field. Monitors trends and keeps aware of licensure and certification changes that affect practice.
• Supervises clinical interns and staff/volunteers, as assigned to coordinate work assignments. Assists in orientation of new employees to the Rehab Department.

Staff Workplace Safety Accountabilities

• Maintaining competency in hospital approved Crisis Management Program (CMP) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) techniques for adults, children, infants, and AED training.
• Performing accountabilities in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Communicating with supervisors’ issues related to workplace safety (i.e., ergonomics, body mechanics, environment, equipment, harassment, violence, etc.)
• Reporting on the job injuries to supervisor IMMEDIATELY.
• Establishing and maintaining therapeutic boundaries in relationships with patients.
• Attending training programs as appropriate.

Total Commitment to Quality

Participates in the process of continuous quality improvement by supporting unit/department-based quality improvement activities. Demonstrates commitment to customer service values in professional conduct and by promoting such values in assigned work area.

Total Compensation Information

HMO or POS Medical and Prescription Drug Benefits: The actual value of State-paid health benefits and the amount of employee health benefit contributions may vary depending on the type of plan selected and the bargaining unit with which a position is associated.

Value of State's share of Employee's Retirement: 12.87% of pay

Other Benefits:

• Dental Plan at minimal cost for employees and their families ($500-$1800 value)
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• State defined benefit retirement plan and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/life balance flexible schedules, paid holidays and generous leave plan
• $50,000 state-paid life insurance plus additional low-cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program (ability to earn up to $500)

Benefits website: https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/documents/BenefitBrochure.pdf

Contact

For further information please contact Nicole Goyette, Sr. Psychiatric Social Worker, at [phone] or email [e-mail].

You may also contact Human Resources at [e-mail]

EOE

TDD Access: Relay NH1-800-735-2964