RECREATIONAL THERAPIST I
: Job Details :

Western MA Hospital (WMH), operated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH), is seeking a dynamic individual to develop individual therapeutic goals and objectives for patients according to established policies and procedures. The selected candidate will be responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating appropriate Recreation Therapy programs for individual patients. WMH, as a public health care facility, collaborates with the community to identify deficiencies and gaps in health care services while expanding and changing programs, services, and campus to respond to changing needs in the community. The primary responsibility is to provide care and services designed to enable patients to reach and maintain their highest physical, social, mental, and spiritual well-being. Please note: This position is 8:00 am-4:30pm and will be expected to work every other weekend, holidays, and flexible hours to meet program needs. Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive): Plans, implements, and facilitates various individual and group recreational activities; assists with community trips, special events such as the Patient/Family Picnic and holiday parties. Provides clinical training and direction to the recreation assistants. Partners with hospital staff to discuss program activities, resolve problems ensuring departmental continuity; alerts clinical/staff to any special problems or issues that may affect treatment. Provides leisure education designed to help patients acquire the knowledge and skills needed for independence and social involvement. Remains knowledgeable of various technologies used to facilitate recreational activities (e.g. internet connected devices, audio visual equipment, smart TVs, etc.) Serves as a representative of the Recreation Department at various meetings, including interdisciplinary team meetings. Completes casework of recreational documentation (assessments, progress notes etc.) to develop, implement and modify as needed, appropriate long and short-term treatment programs, plans of care and develops individual patient therapeutic goals and objectives. Orders and maintains recreational supplies and equipment to assure their availability and safety for patient use. Attends professional meetings, seminars, and conferences to maintain a comprehensive and current knowledge of recreation therapy. Required Qualifications : Knowledge of principles, theory, practice, and terminology of Therapeutic Recreation. Ability to maintain accurate records and document concisely to develop ideas in logical sequence. Capacity to work effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary team. Talent for establishing rapport and maintain harmonious working relationships with persons from varied ethnic, cultural and/or economic backgrounds. Skilled in exercising discretion in handling confidential information. Ability to work with special populations. Ability to drive state vehicle/bus in a safe manner. Preferred Qualifications : Skilled in exercising a high degree of initiative, judgement, discretion, and decision making to achieve objectives. Thoroughness, independence, and excellent written and oral communication skills. CTRS certification (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) One-year experience in a health care facility desirable. About Western MA Hospital: The Western Massachusetts Hospital is the only public hospital operating in the western region of Massachusetts with a mission to serve as a medical safety net for many uninsured and under-insured residents in the region. Western Massachusetts Hospital provides both acute and chronic hospital care to patients with a variety of chronic diseases and complicated medical conditions, such as: Cardiac and pulmonary disease Chronic neurological disorders Complications of strokes Dementia with major behavioral issues End stage terminal illnesses of various diagnoses Consider joining our dynamic team of health care professionals in a work environment that provides high staff to patient ratio and delivers high quality care to all patients on all units. Enjoy the opportunity to provide quality services in a long-term care setting where familiar faces are the norm rather than the exception. Learn more: About the Department of Public Health: The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth. We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities. DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems. Learn more about nursing opportunities at DPH Pre-Offer Process: A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website. If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form For questions, please contact Human Resources at 413-###-####.Qualifications:First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.Minimum Entrance Requirements:Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in planning, organizing, instituting or conducting therapeutic recreation services in a recognized public or private agency, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience in the substitution below.Substitutions:I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in recreation, recreation education, creative arts therapy or therapeutic recreation may be substituted for the required experience.**Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Comprehensive Benefits When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future. Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards! Title 101 CMR 23.00 (Regulation) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza. An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.