Job Title: Recreation Therapy Assistant

Location: Danville, IN

Full-Time/Part-Time

Hourly/Non-Exempt

Non-standard, Flexible schedule based on program needs.

Travel as required for training, program, community access, and company events.

The objective of the position is to focus on restoration, remediation, and rehabilitation interventions all focused on improving independence and quality of life.

Recreational therapy assistants may plan, develop, implement, and supervise activities/recreation opportunities for clients to use to maintain health and well-being.

Job Duties:

• Informs clients of his/her responsibilities in the assessment process and seeks collaboration from the client, family member or significant other in the gathering of assessment information.
• Under the clinical supervision and direction of the recreational therapist and commensurate with assessed competency, uses systematic procedures for collecting assessment information including structured interview, direct observation, information from team members, and record review and provides a summary to the recreational therapist of assessment information related to client strengths and weaknesses.
• Collaborates and assists the recreational therapist in the development of client treatment goals and treatment interventions.
• Assists the recreational therapist in identifying activity modifications, adaptations, and assistive devices that may be necessary to implement the treatment plan.
• Observe client response to treatment interventions/activities and report behavioral observations to the recreational therapist so the treatment plan can be continued, modified, or discontinued as necessary.
• Documents the effects of the treatment intervention to provide the recreational therapist with the information needed for evaluation of the intervention. Collaborates with the recreational therapist and members of the treatment team, client, family, or significant others during the implementation of the treatment intervention and reports all adverse reactions and observations of patient response and behaviors to the recreational therapist and treatment team.
• Assists the recreational therapist in evaluating the treatment plan.
• Documents evaluation results and reports client data to the recreational therapist and the treatment team.
• Provides the recreational therapist with patient/client information and collaborates with the recreational therapist and the treatment team to contribute to the planning process for effective decisions to be made about continuation, discontinuation of treatment, and planning for aftercare. The RT assistant assists the recreational therapist in planning and making referrals for aftercare.
• Plans, provides, and/or supervises activities of leisure/ recreation opportunities for clients to improve the general health and well-being of clients and their adjustment to the healthcare environment or treatment procedures.
• Complies with all agencies, professional and regulatory standards of conduct, and professional ethics and reports any suspected instances of ethical misconduct.

• High School Diploma or GED required or demonstrated skill equivalent.
• Be 18 years of age or older (21 years of age or older if operating public vehicles).
• Possess a valid driver’s license, a good driving record that meets or exceeds the system’s established driver eligibility standards, and the ability to obtain a public passenger chauffeur’s license required if operating public vehicles.
• A minimum of 3 years of experience working with persons with disabilities is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of human structures, physiology of human structures, mechanics of movement, lifecycle growth and development, psychological functioning, pathology in psychological functioning, cognitive learning, and motor learning that contribute to health and human functioning and independence in life activities.
• Knowledge of recreational therapy theory, principles and techniques, and methods to improve client functioning and independence is required.
• Knowledge of medical, psychiatric, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, sensory impairments, co-occurring disorders, or other disabling conditions and client needs for recreational therapy treatment is required.
• Knowledge of activity analysis, activity modifications, and adaptive and assistive devices/techniques/technology is required.
• Skill in effective communication techniques and the ability to establish rapport and effective and supportive relationships with clients, family, and staff is required.
• The ability to plan and develop activity and recreation programs and to assist recreational therapists in developing treatment interventions is required.
• Considerable knowledge of activity leadership and facilitation techniques and behavior management techniques is necessary.
• The ability to observe behavior and to report and document /client responses and reactions is required.
• Ability to successfully pass Personal Assistance Training.
• Ability to pass a Drug and Alcohol Test, if operating public vehicles.
• Ability to meet guidelines of Indiana Medical Qualification Program for Safety Sensitive Transit Employees if operating public vehicles.
• Ability to determine vehicle path to ensure safe and timely transportation of passengers.
• Ability to evaluate and determine proper action in situations that may pose a safety risk.
• Ability to bend, crouch, kneel, twist, push and pull.
• Must have normal hearing, with the aid of corrective devices, as needed based on public transportation agency guidelines.
• Be free from fainting spells, blackouts, dizziness, or seizures, as needed based on public transportation agency guidelines.
• Ability to sit in a normal seated position for extended periods.
• Ability to endure extended periods of driving.
• Ability to tolerate exposure to dust, gas, and/or fumes, varied weather conditions, temperatures, and light levels.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 35 pounds (70 pounds if operating public vehicles), exert up to 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-26 pounds of force frequently.
• Upper body leverage strength is required.