Recreation Therapist I Jobs

Under supervision, evaluates the recreational therapy needs for assigned patients, and develops, implements, and documents treatment plans and goals to meet these needs, in an inpatient and outpatient hospital setting.
The established list will be used to fill other vacancies as they occur. This list will also be used for temporary (extra help) opportunities. If you are interested in such opportunities, please be sure to indicate that on the appropriate questions.
COVID-19 Risk Tier - High

Patient Care

• Plans, implements, and facilitates community outings;
• Makes appropriate referrals to various community agencies for patients in need of additional services;
• Performs relatively routine patient care with fundamental skills in clinical reasoning and problem-solving;
• Develops adaptive recreational equipment;
• Performs indirect patient care duties such as communication and coordination of care with the patient, family/caregiver, and other professionals, discharge planning, documentation of all elements of patient management, patient care conferences, and charging for services provided;
• Implements leisure education programs for patients and their caregivers;
• Plans and implements specialized outpatient programs;
• Determines therapy prognosis, including predicted optimal level of improvement in leisure functioning and the amount of time needed to reach that level, and develops appropriate plans of care to meet the patients' identified goals;
• Manages own caseload of patients as assigned.

• May supervise volunteers and students.

• Acts as a direct liaison to community agencies;
• May assist in the day-to-day operations of assigned service;
• May assist with selected aspects of the orientation and training of new service personnel.
• Participates in fundraising events to support recreational therapy program;
• Conducts in-service and instruction to unit staff concerning patient programs;
• Participates in hospital-wide special events;
• Assumes selected responsibilities of other staff during temporary absences;

• Participates in hospital research as appropriate;
• Provides guidance to interns, assistants and Therapy Technicians.
• Participates in internal and external professional and educational activities to enhance personal and professional growth;
• Prioritizes and schedules patient treatment as assigned;
• Assists with program development as assigned;

Certification or eligibility for certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation
(NCTRC), the national credentialing organization for therapeutic recreation and recreation
therapy, or the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification to practice as a Certified
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Some positions may require certification from California Children's Services as a Child Life Specialist.
Possession of a valid California driver's license upon hire.
Sufficient education and experience to demonstrate the possession and application of the
knowledge and abilities listed below.
Knowledge of

• Regulatory practice requirements.
• Basic principles, methods, and theory of the practice of recreation therapy;
• Pathologies and injuries which result in physical impairment;
• Basic human anatomy and physiology;

• Efficiently manage time and priorities;
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with others;
• Develop, implement and adapt treatment programs;
• Communicate effectively with patients, staff, and other health professionals;
• Reach, grasp, manipulate and carry a variety of objects;
• Demonstrate appropriate patient handling skills;
• Write clearly and concisely;
• Assist, support, lift and transfer patients.
• Evaluate patients and interpret clinical data and make clinical judgments;