Sample Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Job Description
Primary Purpose of Position:
To develop and carry out individualized recreation therapy plans for members of the Thomas S class, to enhance their habilitation, mastery of community living skills and ability to utilize generic community resources and supports. Through the combined efforts of this position, mental health and developmental disabilities staff, families, and community providers, it is anticipated that the quality of life for persons with disabilities will be enhanced and clients will attain greater interdependence and improved functioning within their homes and communities.
Work Schedule:
Core work hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30-5 p.m. The position is for 40 hours per week and requires flex work schedule to accommodate staff training needs and client appointments.
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
The therapeutic recreation specialist (TRS) must have a thorough understanding of persons with developmental disabilities and mental illness, community MH-DD-SAS system, therapeutic recreation services, and person-centered services and supports. The position requires the staff member to work collaboratively with team members, families, community providers and clients and to take considerable responsibility for her/his work and professional development. The TRS assumes a lead role in community liaisons for the development of natural supports and use of generic resources and for training of direct care staff to fulfill habilitation goals related to recreation and community inclusion.
Duties
Individual assessment: 20% Completion of individualized Recreation Therapy assessment for each class member on an annual basis. Requires knowledge of assessment instruments, ability to conduct a comprehensive assessment that includes review of the client record, consultation with team, interview with client, family when appropriate and available, observation of client at home and in the community. TRS assesses the client’s personal interests, needs, wants, strengths and functioning in social, emotional, physical, cognitive and leisure domains. TRS develops goals, objectives, strategies, and timelines for person-centered service plans. Reviews plan with client and team. Documents assessment in client chart. May participate in service plan meetings.
Individual Recreation Therapy Services (implementation of goals): 25% TRS provides time limited services to selected clients, for the purpose of meeting individual therapy goals. Services focuses on development and improvement of social skills, communication skills, community living skills, (such as mobility, safety awareness, time management), self-esteem, relationships, problem-solving and decision-making skills. TRS is responsible for selecting appropriate intervention techniques, monitoring effectiveness of interventions, modifying plans as needed and documenting services and progress in the client chart. TRS seeks referrals from team.
Group Therapy Services: 20% TRS is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating time limited group services that focus on skill development. TRS seeks referrals from team, coordinates scheduling of group services and documents services and client responses in the client chart. TRS is responsible for selecting appropriate group goals, interventions, and client membership. Services focus on problem-solving, relationships, self-expression and other goals and areas as needed.
Consultation, Education and Staff Training: 15% TRS is responsible for a variety of trainings, including periodic, scheduled training for residential and direct support staff on value of recreation, use of recreation to meet personal habilitation goals, and strategies to promote use of generic resources and natural supports.
Training will be provided in didactic format to large groups and followed up with small group sessions at individual client residences. TRS is also responsible for conducting a needs assessment to determine training
needs of community agencies, such as Parks and Recreation, churches, volunteer council, etc. and providing education on a regular basis. Training efforts are designed to reinforce recreation therapy goals, promote quality services, expand choices for home and community activities, and enable various groups to meet the habilitation needs of clients.
Community Liaison: 10% TRS is responsible for surveying the community, developing resource materials for clients, team members, and direct support staff to promote expanded use of generic resources. TRS should develop a thorough knowledge of the community, be familiar with an extensive array of agencies and develop cooperative relationships in order to meet client goals. Outreach will include Parks and Recreation, Community College, churches, commercial businesses, 4-H, Agricultural Extension, Arts Council, Council on Aging, advocacy groups, public schools, libraries and employment agencies.
Case Management/Support Services: 10% TRS is responsible for limited case management/support duties, including development of person-centered plan for specific clients, coordination of service plan meetings, implementation and review of plan. Assists client with accessing a variety of community resources, linking to appropriate community agencies and supports, monitoring effectiveness of services. TRS is responsible for a variety of assigned team duties, including participation in team meetings, billing, on call, etc.
B. OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS:
Accuracy Required in Work:
It is essential that client records are accurately maintained and kept up to date. Records are subject to audit and review by a variety of bodies, including Division of MH-DD-SAS, Division of Medical Assistance, Council for Quality Leadership. TRS must accurately track appointment, service contacts, submit billing invoices, log travel time and be familiar with Pioneer system, CAP, Medicaid and Thomas S service definitions, codes and required documentation.
Consequence of Error
: Errors in judgment would result in treatment delays, safety issues for clients, community, and/or staff, loss of productivity, and/or create inaccurate public perception about client’s abilities and needs and public sector care.
Instructions Provided to employee:
TRS receives verbal and written instruction from Thomas S Coordinator, team members, area authority and Division of MH-DD-SAS policies and procedures. TRS is required to have working knowledge of current philosophy, principles, practices, trends and issues in the field of T.R.
Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee:
TRS is responsible for obtaining a thorough knowledge of Area Program Policy and Procedure Manual and Thomas S services, as these resources provide the primary source of regulations and policies. TRS will use a variety of references including DSM IV, Benefits of Therapeutic Recreation, Redbook of Assessments, ATRA Standards of Practice, and numerous dual diagnosis materials.
Supervision Received by Employee:
TRS is directly supervised by Thomas S coordinator. TRS is expected to demonstrate considerable autonomy when carrying out daily work in area of assessments, individual RT services, group services, consultation and education, and case management.
Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts
: TRS is a member of an interdisciplinary team and is likely to have daily contact with Thomas S team members. TRS will have regular contact with clients, direct support staff, community providers, and is responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing an array of services.
Physical Effort:
TRS spends a portion of each work day in the area program/team office, but considerable time is spend meeting with clients and traveling to clients residence and community sites. TRS will be involved in transporting clients and assisting with mobility skills. Some clients may use wheelchairs or have medical conditions. TRS is responsible for skill teaching that may be physically demanding.
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Work Environment and Conditions:
TRS is responsible for providing services in a variety of settings and facilities and is required to travel extensively to meet with clients, conduct community outreach and provide consultation and education services.
Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment and Materials Used
: Automobile, beeper, copier, fax machine, computer, telephone, other standard office equipment, disability aids and devices, recreation activity supplies, assessment instruments, audio-visual equipment.
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Are essential to maintain client and community safety.
Skills are relevant to client transportation and staff travel, documentation, direct client services, skill teaching, consultation and education.
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Safety for Others
: TRS is responsible for establishing and maintaining safe environment for clients. TRS may encounter episodes of unsafe behavior, physical and/or verbal aggression by clients. TRS must be familiar with universal precautions, basic first aid procedures and mobility skills.
Dynamics of Work:
TRS must be knowledgeable in an array of topics including developmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, Thomas S philosophy, TR services, community education. TRS must communicate effectively verbally and in writing, be able to prioritize work demands, creatively meet client, agency and community needs and serve as a member of numerous teams/groups.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES AND TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of therapeutic recreation theory, principles, techniques, and other methods along with their specific implications and application to individuals with developmental disabilities, and mental illness with an emphasis on reintegrating into their community. Knowledge of the characteristics and etiology of developmental disabilities and mental illness and various medical conditions and of their implications for recreation therapy services. Ability to evaluate the client’s present recreation and community functioning and progress and determine needed services and supports. Ability to keep accurate work records and reports which demonstrate the quality and quantity of provided services. Ability to articulate the philosophy, goals, and strategies of Thomas S services and recreation therapy services. Ability to administer a variety of TR assessments and interpret results and incorporate into service plan. Ability to problem solve in a positive manner and to work creatively and effectively with a variety of stakeholders to find solutions. Ability to train and supervise direct support staff and natural support resources. Knowledge of adaptation and assisitve devices needed by persons with disabilities.
Required Minimum Training:
Graduation from a 4-year college or university with a degree in Therapeutic Recreation which includes an internship in TR; or a major in recreation, with a minor or emphasis in TR, which includes an internship in TR.
Additional Training/Experience:
Knowledge of developmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, TR Services, person-centered services and supports.
License or Certification Required by Statute or Regulation:
Certification by Therapeutic Recreation Certification Board of North Carolina and National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification or eligible within a reasonable time frame.