Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

At Houston Methodist, the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist position is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients in the inpatient or acute care setting. This position completes a comprehensive assessment, sets goals, develops treatment plans, and adheres to patient care and documentation timelines that maintain the above stated.

FLSA STATUS
Non-exempt

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in Therapeutic Recreation

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience in a therapeutic recreational program in a health care setting

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• RECTH license or CTRS certification

Preferred

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA)

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security
• Ability to effectively communicate with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles
• Demonstrates effective interpersonal skills (written and verbal communication, ability to deal with challenging situations, etc.)
• Ability to provide a supportive and engaging environment that enhances the quality of life for patients
• Knowledge and experience of engaging with long-term care patients
• Exhibits excellent delivery of customer service to all patients, visitors, physicians, and co-workers; demonstrates ability to establish and maintain highly effective professional relationships with physicians
• Demonstrates excellent time/project management skills and ability to effectively coordinate efforts and outcomes for the assigned area
• Ability to work independently
• Capable of handling challenging/difficult therapy procedures and patient care situations; demonstrates sound judgment
• Experience in a team focused work setting

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

PEOPLE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Actively participates in patient care conferences and the discharge planning process, e.g. team conferences, equipment recommendation, consulting with Case Manager, etc. Collaborates with all members of the interprofessional care team by actively communicating and reporting pertinent patient care information and data in a comprehensive manner.
• Functions as a mentor for effective communication skills, assisting in team members’ development of such skills. Facilitates open, professional, communication to achieve mutual understanding, role modeling by example. Communication to promote both work efforts and problem resolution is clear and professional.
• Works well with others and facilitates problem resolution. Role models fair and consistent skills, interacts with peers, staff and visitors in a supportive and respectful manner. Initiates contributions, through peer-to-peer accountability, towards improvement of department scores for employee engagement.

SERVICE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Performs comprehensive patient evaluations, sets appropriate patient goals, develops effective treatment plans, and adheres to patient care and documentation timelines and guidelines per department policy and procedure. Consistently evaluates the patient’s comprehension and adapts teaching methods accordingly.
• Establishes and maintains professional relationships, trust and credibility with all on the interprofessional healthcare team, serving as clinical resource for routine matters with physicians for the service area and/or specialty. Serves as resource to colleagues, physicians, and nursing for best therapy practices and education.
• Acts as a patient advocate in collaborating with the interprofessional team for a holistic, goal-oriented approach to care across the continuum that meets the patient’s physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. Achieves a high level of customer satisfaction (patients, physicians, co-workers, visitors, etc.). Contributes towards improving department scores for patient satisfaction on unit-based scorecard through peer-to-peer accountability.

QUALITY/SAFETY ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops patient treatment protocols and best practices for patient population or practice area. Proactively identifies opportunities for corrective action, leads process improvement providing recommendations, and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety.
• Proactively anticipates complications, limitations associated with certain procedures, and proactively addresses for optimum outcomes. Provides safe, functionally relevant, and effective treatment interventions that are functionally and cognitively relevant through the use of recreational and educational supplies to promote patient participation. Collaborates and communicates with the interprofessional healthcare team modifications to patient's treatment plan, progress, and discharge planning.
• Contributes to identification of corrective action and improvement activities and contributes to meeting department and hospital targets for quality and safety, through peer-to-peer accountability and collaborating with the interprofessional health care team.

FINANCE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Self-motivated to independently manage time effectively, minimizing incidental overtime, and prioritizing daily tasks. Uses resources effectively and efficiently; does not waste supplies.
• Works efficiently and effectively to achieve department standard for productivity. Contributes towards department financial targets on unit-based scorecard through timely documentation of care, optimizing efficiency and other areas according to department specifications.

GROWTH/INNOVATION ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Offers innovative solutions through participation in performance improvement projects and shared governance activities. Follows up on action items as necessary to ensure completion of assignments.
• Fosters a positive and constructive teaching environment by engaging co-workers in learning opportunities that are valuable and in alignment with department and business objectives.
• Identifies and assumes responsibility of own learning needs and seeks continuing education opportunities to meet those needs. Actively participates in professional association. Assumes responsibility for self-growth and development by participating in in-services programs. Completes and updates the My Development plan on an on-going basis. Ensures own career discussions occur with appropriate management.

SUPPLEMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
WORK ATTIRE

• Uniform: No
• Scrubs: Yes
• Business professional: Yes
• Other (department approved): No

ON-CALL*
*Note that employees may be required to be on-call during emergencies (ie. Disaster, Severe Weather Events, etc) regardless of selection below.

• On Call* No

TRAVEL**
**Travel specifications may vary by department**

• May require travel within the Houston Metropolitan area No
• May require travel outside Houston Metropolitan area No

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university with a major in Therapeutic Recreation

EXPERIENCE

• One year experience in a therapeutic recreational program in a health care setting

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Required

• RECTH license or CTRS certification

Preferred

• BLS - Basic Life Support or Instructor (AHA)