Recreation Associate Jobs in Nebraska (NOW HIRING)

**JOB DESCRIPTION**
**Job Title: Recreation Therapist
Job Code: 220063**
Immediate Supervisor: Inpatient Occupational Therapy Clinical Supervisor
Status: Non-Exempt
**DEPARTMENT FUNCTION/JOB OVERVIEW**
Responsible for planning and administering recreation therapy treatment programs for patients to address leisure skills, community reintegration, recreation resources and activities which promote diversion and socialization. Responsible for delivering and/or delegating quality patient care from admission through discharge, including patient and family education/training. Responsible for maintaining accurate and timely documentation. Work will be performed in an ethical and legal manner following organizational policies, processes, protocols and procedures. Responsible for quality service delivery and internal/external customer relations for Madonna as a whole, including upholding the mission and values for the department and facility.
**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**
1. Selects, administers and interprets appropriate leisure evaluation procedures for patients. 2. Compiles, records and analyzes evaluation information in order to assist in establishing a treatment program. 3. Identifies problems, formulates treatment goals and coordinates individual patient treatment programs. 4. Records pertinent patient information in order to document changes and comply with legal and ethical standards, including daily charting, team summary, insurance justifications, initial and discharge summaries, plan of care, and patient programs. 5. Records treatment modalities in order to ensure accurate financial records. 6. Analyzes and revises treatment programs to insure continuing appropriate intervention. 7. Modifies therapeutic interventions to accommodate the age of the patient population. 8. Analyzes, synthesizes and applies research and literature to assist with the development and implementation of new department services and programs. 9. Provides or delegates recreation therapy treatment to patients, including assessment of leisure skills, leisure education, community reintegration, time management skills and provision of leisure resources. 10. Leads, supervises, instructs and assists patients and families/caregivers in group and individual treatment sessions in order to carry out appropriate therapeutic interventions. 11. Provides education regarding the patient's condition and/or disease process so that patients and families will have a basic understanding. 12. Participates, confers and negotiates at team meetings to develop an appropriate team plan for each patient. 13. Supervises rehab associates, students and volunteers. 14. Communicates effectively with patients, families, staff, outside contacts/sources. 15. Instructs and teaches staff new information through in-services, per the education process. 16. Participates and assists in department and/or facility committees and/or task forces. 17. Instructs and teaches students from professional programs, as assigned. 18. Follows instruction from supervisor and/or director to perform other functions as assigned in order to achieve the goals within the department and the program. 19. Must perceive customer relations as a primary focus, and continually strive to satisfy the needs of every customer in all areas of the workforce. 20. Operates equipment used for the provision of recreation therapy treatment. 21. Maintains a clean, organized and safe environment. 22. Handles and operates all necessary equipment and performs required duties according to established safety standards to maintain compliance with regulations and prevent injury. 23. Operates computer and applicable software applications.
**PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS**
1. Medium work with lifting up to 50 pounds. Manual patient transfer or reposition which does not exceed the equivalent of 35 pounds of force to lift, push or pull. Requires sufficient strength to produce 50 pounds of force to push a wheelchair with a 300-pound individual on level surfaces. Frequent walking with maximum duration of up to 1 hour on tile, carpet and other surfaces. Frequent sitting with sustained periods of up to 1 hour. Occasional standing for periods up to 1 hour on tile, carpet and other surfaces. 2. Occasional set-up of tables, lifting wheelchairs into vehicles, lifting boxes/bags weighing up to 20 pounds and pushing loaded carts. 3. Frequent reaching with both arms at low, waist, and high levels. Frequent grasping of both hands for treatments requiring normal grip strength based on national averages. Occasional climbing, stooping, bending, kneeling and twisting are required for patient care and room set-up for leisure events. 4. Constant near visual acuity to evaluate and monitor patients. Ordinary hearing and speaking skills. 5. Primarily indoor work (70%) with outdoor work (30%) focused on community reintegration and outdoor leisure activities. 6. May be exposed to biohazardous materials. 7. May be exposed to patients who are in an agitated or aggressive state.
**QUALIFICATIONS** (Education/training and/or Experience)
Bachelors' degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation. National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) required. Experience with disabled and elderly populations preferred. Experience working in a rehabilitation setting preferred. Must have valid Nebraska driver's license and proof of good driving record. Must have ability to learn and comprehend instructions and directions for simple and traditional leisure activities, including basic board, table, and card games, basic art, craft and sewing activities, basic music skills, and basic outdoor sports and activities. CPR for Health Care Provider /CPR Professional Rescuer preferred.
Background checks are conducted. When specific authorization forms are requested so that full background and history can be obtained, employees/applicants must sign the form(s) requested.