Therapeutic Recreation Therapist

Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – with employer contributions - HRA
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, short-term disability and Flex spending
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

1. Develop, implement, and facilitate therapeutic recreation programming designed to support cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioral, and social rehabilitation goals with person-centered approach to care.

2. Plans and prepares individual group therapeutic recreation interventions that promote self-advocacy, independence, community integrations, leisure skill development, coping strategies, and quality of life including transportation and/or coordinating equipment and supplies.

3. Assist residents in developing and maintaining daily living, communication, interpersonal, and community engagement skills through structured therapeutic activities and outings.

4. Provides training to staff for execution of programming as needed.

5. Participates in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care/individual program plans for each resident that identifies their needs/issues, the goals to be accomplished for those needs/issues, and the appropriate interventions.

6. Coordinates and monitors each individual’s active treatment and implementation.

7. Ensures or provides supportive counseling interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs.

8. Ensures or provides support, counseling, and education to residents/family members to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues in addition to referring them to the appropriate social service agencies when the facility does not provide the needed services.

9. Coordinates, facilitates, and completes documentation for annual reviews, admission, and discharge summaries and preparation of monthly progress summaries reviewing the resident’s care needs, condition, level of functioning, and progress.

10. Monitor resident participation, mood, behaviors, and safety during activities and interventions, adapting programming as needed to meet individual abilities, risks and therapeutic needs.

11. Participates in the resident discharge planning process and referrals for different placement or a return to the community.

12. Develops, maintains, and utilizes a listing of other relevant current community resources for residents and their families/significant others.

13. Collaborates with the interdisciplinary team and administration to coordinate care, support resident-centered rehabilitation goals, and promote and protect resident rights and the wellbeing of each resident.

14. Provides consultation to staff regarding treatment approaches, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and medical and/or psychiatric services.

15. Participates in the development of policies and procedures necessary for continuation of care.

16. Communicates with medical providers to meet the individual needs of residents.

17. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of Recreation Therapy/Activity Therapy program assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation.

• Ability to safely facilitate recreational activities, community outings, and therapeutic interventions in a residential facility.

• Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems of basic human behavior and of available assistance and rehabilitative services and techniques.

• Knowledge of human service needs assessment methodologies.

• Knowledge of legal requirements including privacy, resident rights, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.

• Knowledge of goals, principles, and practices of human service programs, program administration, and program goals and their intended impacts.

• Knowledge of the County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.

• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems, and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution of issues.

• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.

• Ability to develop, interpret, and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department specific documents.

• Ability to adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities in a responsible manner.

• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.

• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.

• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.

• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.

• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.

• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.

• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications consistent for this position.

• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.

• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.

• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.

• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.

• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.

• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.

• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.

• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.

• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms. Work has standard vision requirements. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities. Work is primarily in a health care setting where specialized resident programs are implemented. Work environment includes exposure to infectious agents, chemical agents, and resident behaviors.

Dodge County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.    

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants.