Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

Cedarbrook Senior Care & Rehab; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedarbrook Senior Care & Rehab is hiring a full-time Therapeutic Recreation Assistant for its Allentown location. This role involves providing therapeutic recreation services to residents under supervision, developing programs, and assisting with activities. Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation. The position works Monday to Friday, with flexibility for weekends. We seek someone with strong interpersonal skills and a comprehensive understanding of therapeutic recreation principles.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of therapeutic recreation in long-term care.
• At least 5 years of experience in Long-term Care Activities.
• First preference for candidates with a CTRS certification.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement therapeutic recreation programs.
• Record resident progress and maintain reports.
• Assist residents with recreational activities.

Skills

Knowledge of therapeutic recreation methods

Ability to assess individual resident needs

Ability to maintain records of activities

Ability to establish effective working relationships

Education

BS in Therapeutic Recreation

Completion of twelfth grade

Job description

Cedarbrook Senior Care & Rehab – Therapeutic Recreation Assistant (Full Time) – Allentown Location

Full time: Monday to Friday, with occasional weekends and nights, hours 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

This is paraprofessional therapy work providing therapeutic services in the area of specialization to patients of a County long term care nursing facility. Under the direct supervision of a therapeutic recreation supervisor, the assistant provides recreational activities to nursing home residents. Work includes planning and directing individual and/or group patient activities or programs, in the area of specialization, and may involve instructing and overseeing lower-level workers and volunteers.

Typical Examples of Work

• Develops and implements therapeutic recreation programs.
• Sets up and adjusts various types of equipment and supplies used by residents in such programs.
• Takes projects to individual resident's rooms and assists residents.
• Observes the progress and reaction of residents.
• Records such progress and makes reports on individual cases to higher level personnel; maintains records and prepares reports and charts.
• Demonstrates therapeutic activities, programs, and exercises for, trains and oversees work of volunteers.
• Assists them with problems, suggesting ways to handle particular issues or residents, transports residents.
• Prepares, sets up equipment needed for programs and activities, and assists in maintaining inventory equipment and supplies.
• Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of goals, objectives, principles and practices pertaining to therapeutic recreation in long-term care.
• Thorough knowledge of therapeutic recreation methods and techniques applicable to individuals in a long-term care nursing facility.
• Knowledge of physical, mental, emotional and other factors affecting geriatric residents' needs, interests and capacities.
• Knowledge of governmental regulations and requirements governing therapeutic recreation.
• Ability to plan, assign and review the work of lower-level staff members and volunteers engaged in providing therapeutic recreation services.
• Ability to assess individual resident needs and document and monitor those needs.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of social, community and other organizations, and residents, including securing their participation in recreational activities.
• Ability to maintain records of activities and prepare reports thereof.

Acceptable Training & Experience

• Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.
• Two to three years of paraprofessional experience providing therapeutic recreation services and documentation which has included exposure in a long-term care program.
• First preference will be given to an individual with a BS in Therapeutic Recreation and a CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist).

Required Experience

At least 5 years of substantiated experience working in a Long-term Care Activities or Therapeutic Recreation or Life Enrichment Department and/or a BS in Therapeutic Recreation. If multiple candidates have the same amount of required Activities/T.R./L.E. experience, then the candidate with more seniority at Cedarbrook will be chosen.