Recreational Therapist

Location: Trinity Health Hospital Grand RapidsDepartment: Psychiatry Acute Adult

Position Summary

As a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the Recreational Therapist utilizes clinical skills associated with recreational therapy, expressive arts therapies, occupational therapies, and psychoeducational interventions to plan, organize, and implement a program of ancillary services. This position assesses patients' capabilities, needs, interests, and goals and develops individualized treatment programs that support recovery and align with interdisciplinary treatment goals.

The Recreational Therapist plays a key role in fostering a therapeutic environment through assessment, treatment planning, group facilitation, and collaboration with clinical team members to improve patient outcomes.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Clinical Assessment & Treatment Planning

• Assess patient care needs, interests, capabilities, strengths, and treatment goals.
• Develop, implement, and continually reassess individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Monitor patient progress and modify interventions based on patient needs and treatment objectives.
• Provide therapeutic interventions that promote emotional, social, cognitive, and physical well-being.

Therapeutic Programming

• Plan and facilitate milieu programming, including therapeutic recreation, psychoeducational, skill-building, and therapy groups.
• Organize and implement structured therapeutic activities designed to enhance patient functioning and recovery.
• Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with assigned patients.
• Encourage patient participation and engagement in treatment and recovery-oriented activities.

Interdisciplinary Team Participation

• Function as an active member of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Provide input into the development and implementation of patient treatment plans.
• Participate in rounds, treatment planning meetings, and multidisciplinary discussions as appropriate.
• Collaborate effectively with physicians, nursing staff, social workers, and other healthcare professionals to ensure comprehensive patient care.

Patient Safety & Quality of Care

• Monitor and report any potential risks to patient safety that could lead to adverse outcomes.
• Support a safe, structured, and therapeutic treatment environment.
• Adhere to established clinical, safety, and quality standards.
• Utilize processes that conserve resources and demonstrate good stewardship of organizational assets.

Professionalism & Organizational Standards

• Maintains good rapport and cooperative relationships with patients, families, physicians, colleagues, and visitors.
• Approaches conflict in a constructive manner and participates in identifying and resolving problems.
• Maintains confidentiality of information pertaining to patients, physicians, colleagues, and visitors, discussing information only with appropriate personnel in appropriate settings.
• Behaves in accordance with the Trinity Health Mission, Vision, Values, Code of Conduct, Service Excellence Standards, and organizational policies.
• Assumes responsibility for performing job duties safely and reports hazards, unsafe conditions, and incidents promptly to management.

Qualifications

Education

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree in Recreational Therapy

Licensure/Certification

Required:

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential in good standing

Experience

Required:

• Minimum of six (6) months of relevant psychiatric, medical, or clinical experience.
• On-the-job training or formal education in the application of therapeutic recreation, therapy, and counseling principles and practices for patients with psychiatric and/or medical conditions.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of recreational therapy principles, therapeutic interventions, and behavioral health treatment practices.
• Ability to assess patient needs and develop appropriate treatment interventions.
• Strong group facilitation and therapeutic communication skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with patients and interdisciplinary team members.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Commitment to patient-centered care, safety, and service excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in an inpatient behavioral health or psychiatric setting.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups for diverse patient populations.

Join our team and make a meaningful impact by helping patients achieve improved functioning, recovery, and quality of life through therapeutic recreation services.