Recreational Therapist (204683)

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation (HJF) is seeking a Recreational Therapist for the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) located in Johnstown, PA.  HJF provides administrative and management support to DVBIC. 

DVBIC is multi-site medical care, clinical research and education center. It is a unique collaboration of the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system, and civilian partners. The mission of DVBIC is to serve active duty military, their dependents and veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through state-of-the-art medical care, innovative clinical research initiatives and educational programs.  DVBIC is primarily responsible for support of clinical operations in the DVBIC network which includes 10 military treatment facilities, 5 veteran hospitals and 2 community re- entry civilian programs.  In addition, the office has visibility and contributes to the expertise of DoD level related clinical activity related to traumatic brain injury.

Responsibilities:

1.  Assists in the development and updating of Individual Rehabilitation Plan (IRP) in concert

with other members of the rehabilitation team.

2.  Models appropriate social behavior for all residents.

3.  Conducts sessions to improve residents’ mental and physical well being on an individual and group basis.

4.  Plans, organizes and directs and participates in treatment programs and activities to facilitate residents’ rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community and prevent further medical problems.

5.  Develops treatment plans to meet the needs of residents, based on a needs assessment, patient interest and objectives of therapy.

6.  Counsels and encourages residents to develop leisure activities.

7.  Obtains information from medical records, staff, family members, therapy staff, residential staff and the residents themselves to assess residents’ capabilities, needs, and interests.

8.  Prepares and submits reports/charts to meet the needs of residents, based on needs assessments.

9.  Confers with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.

10.  Encourages clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills to get involved in health-promoting leisure activities such as sports, games, arts and crafts and gardening.

11.  Maintains updates activities calendar.

12.  Participates in program development as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  Ability to administer, score, and document tests, and assist in the development of Individual Rehabilitation Plans.  Knowledge of human behavior and performance, individual difference in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.  Knowledge and principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions.  Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services.  This includes customer needs assessments, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.  Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.  Skills: active listening, speaking, service orientation, social perceptiveness, coordination, critical thinking, complex problem solving, instructing, writing.  Abilities: oral expression and comprehension, problem sensitivity, speech clarity, deductive reasoning, information ordering, written expression and comprehension.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:  Bachelor's degree in a human service or related health care field, therapeutic recreation preferred.

Minimum Experience:  One or more years experience in a human service/health care field and have experience in working with persons with disabilities

Physical Capabilities:  Walking, standing, bending, and carrying light items; May encounter or work with patients who are confused, agitated, or abusive

Required Licenses:  CTRS preferred, valid PA driver’s license required.

Work Environment:  Clinical Environment-Assisted Living and Transitional Living Sites

Please apply on-line at www.hjf.org/careers  Please put the job number 204683 in the Job Opening ID box under Advanced Search. OR please fax your resume to 240-314-7334. Please specify title and job number on fax. 

HJF is a nonprofit medical research organization that provides support services to the military medical community and offers a competitive salary and generous benefits package.

AA/EEO

For a comprehensive list of our benefits, please visit: http://www.hjf.org/careers/benefits.html

HJF administers innovative medical research, supports education and training, and facilitates collaborations between the military and private medical communities. We provide comprehensive management and scientific services for more than 600 basic, clinical and applied research projects conducted around the globe. We also support continuing medical education programs for more than 160 military medical research and treatment facilities, and military medical organizations.