Recreation Therapist II

Full Job Description

Correctional Health Services is looking for a compassionate, energetic person to fill our Recreational Therapist position. Join our staff who are dedicated to maintaining the physical, social and emotional well-being of the offenders that reside at Utah State Correctional Facility.

Principle Duties

• Preparing and performing recreational therapy assessments

• Implementing recreational therapy activities and programs

• Functionally supervise and train staff to assist with recreational activities

• Maintaining records to comply with federal requirements

• Writing reports indicative of progress or regression of the individuals

Ideal Candidate

The model candidate for this position is someone who:

• understands and is passionate about the need of recreational therapy for individuals with special needs

• is enthusiastic, flexible, and willing to try things they haven't done before

• has experience working with the intellectually disabled population

• has experience in the recreational therapy field

• has a good foundation of knowledge on how to write programs and goals for those with recreational needs

Why work for the Utah Department of Health and Human Services? Check out the rich benefits the State of Utah offers.

For more information on the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, please click here or for Correctional Health Services, please click here.

If offered this position, your employment will be contingent upon passing a background check and drug testing. There will be no cost to you for these checks.

This check will include fingerprinting, which will be available at various DHHS locations for your convenience and drug testing at a facility close to your location.

Fingerprinting will be completed prior to your first day of employment.

Requirements

• Prepares and recommends therapeutic recreation, leisure education, and diversionary recreation activities for individual clients, groups and units.
• Adapts program(s) to meet specific needs or concerns.
• Writes, implements, and provides documentation of individual client's treatment; maintains records to comply with federal requirements and writes reports indicative of progress or regression.
• Acts as a resource to team members, participates in team and professional meetings and gives input as to needs of clients.
• Provides clients with information concerning rights, options, benefits, services, goals and expectations.
• Coordinates and/or acts as a liaison between agency or work unit and other agencies, work units, organizations, suppliers, etc.

Qualifications

(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)

• Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, 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.
• Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Additional Information

• Licensure as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in Utah.
• Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
• Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.

• Must pass a thorough background investigation.

• This position is NOT public safety certified and does not require peace officer status or certification.