Recreation Therapist; Cert Pt

River Vista Behavioral Health sits along the bluffs overlooking the San Joaquin River and is a brand new, 128‑bed facility that will provide high‑quality and advanced behavioral health services to residents and visitors in the Central Valley. The hospital will employ more than 250 people, including clinicians, nurses, mental health technicians, support staff and administration.

The Recreation Therapist is responsible for planning and implementing activity services for the assigned program. This involves defining and implementing treatment goals as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and providing continuous patient care, observation, interaction, and role modeling to patients.

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Art, Music, or Recreation therapy, humanities, social work or a related therapeutic discipline.
• Experience: One (1) year of related experience, with knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques and an understanding of mental illness (preferred).
• Licensure: Certification or licensure as CTRS is required.
• Additional Requirements: Successful completion of CPR Certification and Handle with Care training (may be obtained during new‑hire orientation).

• Demonstrate responsibility for observation and application of sound judgment in patients’ physical and mental condition/needs.
• Observe and document changes in patients’ appearance, behavior, and ability to work toward treatment plan goals.
• Communicate changes in patient’s condition to Charge Nurse or Program Coordinator.
• Provide assessment in psychosocial/leisure recreational skills development/deficiency within 72 hours.

• Ensure timely documentation of interventions and ensure interventions are based on the patient’s plan of care.
• Apply appropriate crisis intervention techniques, as required.
• Assist patients in achieving their optimum level of independent functioning.
• Document services rendered in accordance with established criteria.
• Maintain current documentation in daily progress notes, including the patient’s name, date of therapy, name of therapeutic group/intervention and summary of session.

• Effectively plan and implement activity therapy for assigned patient case load within the facility, as well as outside the hospital as required.
• Monitor therapeutic space, supplies and equipment and ensure they are kept in a clean, orderly and safe condition.
• Utilize advanced knowledge of counseling and therapeutic concepts and methods for determining therapeutic services for psychiatric and chemically dependent patients.
• Demonstrate knowledge of group dynamics as well as therapy and practice of group processing.

• Demonstrate excellent guest relations in communication and cooperation, assisting patients, licensed practitioners, co‑workers, and visitors in a prompt and courteous manner.
• Act as a patient advocate and assure patient rights are upheld.
• Report therapeutic services charges daily, substantiating any changes in the treatment notes.
• Attend program meetings and maintain related records.
• Provide direction, education, and in‑service to other unit personnel regarding activity therapy.
• Participate in performance improvement activities (i.e., immunization‑services, conferences or seminars).
• Utilize time constructively and in an organized manner to accomplish assigned responsibilities, delegate duties to other personnel as appropriate, and demonstrate good judgment when making decisions.
• Adhere to facility, department and corporate personnel policies and procedures.
• Attend all mandatory facility in‑services and staff development activities as scheduled.
• Support facility‑wide quality/performance improvement goals and objectives.
• Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.

• Model and teach appropriate social skills.
• Teach coping skills and stress management techniques to patients.
• Carry out teaching activities identified in the treatment plan.

• Provide pertinent feedback to the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding patient response to therapy, treatment…