POSITION SUMMARY

The Recreation Therapist provides individual and group recreation therapy services for adults and children who are in services with Tri-County Mental Health Services in accordance with the standards of clinical practice established by the state of Missouri and the policies and procedures of Tri-County.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

•    Provides individual and group therapy to clients, using appropriate treatment modalities and evidence-informed recreation-based interventions.
•    Actively contributes to the functioning of the treatment team, informing members of any issues impacting plans of care in a succinct, organized, and timely manner.
•    Assesses individuals referred for individual recreation therapy, prioritizes high-need individuals when referrals exceed hours available to complete sessions.
•    Contributes to treatment plans on individual clients based on client strengths with individualized, specific, measurable and time referenced goals in collaboration with the client.
•    Documents provision of care/treatment in a timely manner, according to regulatory guidelines and professional practice.
•    Consistently meets billable expectations.
•    Follows established protocol to assure payment of services, including timely seeking of authorization and reauthorization of services.
•    Provides follow-up for clients who do not follow through with services.
•    Actively seeks to resolve issues, problems, and concerns.
•    Shows sensitivity to and appreciation of issues related to age, ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, gender, and sexual orientation.
•    Provides clinical services in a manner appropriate to the client’s level of functioning.
•    Accepts and responds appropriately to feedback from clients, staff, supervisors, and referral sources.
•    Actively seeks ongoing professional development and knowledge of new treatment modalities and evidence-based practices.
•    Participates in staff and clinical meetings as needed, supervision, and staff development trainings.
•    Other duties and/or responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.
 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)

Education/Certification:
•    Bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Health, Human Performance or related field from an accredited college or university such as Recreation and Leisure Studies with an emphasis or concentration in recreational therapy/therapeutic recreation.
•    Eligible for and working toward certification (National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification)
•    Annual TB screening required
•    CPR/First Aid Certification required
•    Valid driver’s license and minimum state required auto insurance

Experience Required:
•    1 to 3 years of prior related experience required
•    3 to 5 years of prior related experience preferred

Required Knowledge:
•    Knowledgeable of behavioral health diagnosis, trauma-informed care and appropriate treatment modalities.
•    Knowledgeable of HIPAA rules and how to protect client confidentiality.
•    Knowledgeable of effective, research-supported recreation therapy applications applicable to mental health and trauma recovery settings.

Skills/Abilities:
•    Ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries.
•    Skilled at providing a welcoming atmosphere free of distractions, including respectful and trauma-informed language and non-verbal behavior.
•    Consistently practices self-care activities.

Additional Requirements:
•    The employee in this role will be physically located within a school system in an office, classroom, or gym setting, but will be required to travel among various local schools within catchment area.