Recreational Therapist For Adolescent Program

Overview:

Skyland Trail, a nonprofit mental health residential treatment program for adults and adolescents in Atlanta, is seeking a recreational therapy coordinator for our adolescent residential treatment program.

The Recreational Therapist for Adolescent Program is an ideal position for a mid-career professional with specialized expertise in developing and leading recreational therapy programming for teens and managing a team of professionals. We are looking for someone to lead the integration of recreational therapy into our evidence-based psychiatric treatment program for teens with mood and anxiety disorders in a team-based, mission-focused environment.

Responsibilities:

• This position is responsible for collaboration with adjunctive team in planning schedule, the activities, preparing materials, planning and managing budget, and leading the groups.
• Provide clinical assistance to groups, on-going events, activities, community outings, assist with the organization of monthly enrichment calendar, maintain monthly budget, and supervise recreational volunteers and staff.
• In both roles, this position is responsible for ensuring client safety, encouraging client engagement, and helping clients use skills to manage discomfort and work toward their treatment goals.
• Orient and assess new clients to the adjunctive programs and opportunities.
• Identify and support client needs and potential concerns/crisis and add additional clinical support, when needed.
• Attend and participate in weekly supervision with supervisor, treatment team meeting, residential meeting, clinical supervision, and community meeting
• Facilitation and documentation of discharge summary and plan, group notes, attendance, and recreational therapy assessments in the identified time frame per Skyland Trail.
• In the role of leading enrichment evening and weekend programming, this position is part of a team planning and facilitating on-campus (and off-campus) activities for adolescent clients in the evenings and weekends.
• Conduct, plan, and implement therapeutic interventions, activities, retreats, and outings and other appropriate groups as part of recreation program.
• Plan and facilitate Day Treatment groups, assist with weekly community meeting, and all community activities throughout the year.
• The goal of the position is to plan and lead adjunctive therapy groups as part of the weekly treatment schedule for adolescents in residential and day treatment programs.
• Strong group leadership through development of quality lesson plans, facilitation techniques, and client engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Coordinator of Adjunctive Therapies at the Adolescent Program.
• The position works closely with the adjunctive therapies department and residential counselors.
• The position is part of the adjunctive therapies department and reports to the Coordinator of Adjunctive Therapies at Adolescent Program.

• Driving van/bus style vehicle
• Certificate as a CTRS, preferred or eligible to sit for CTRS exam within 90 days of hire
• Certified in CPR/First Aid procedures
• Knowledge of safety, risk management, and emergency procedures
• Experience in recreational therapy or related mental health field required
• Customer service, effective written and verbal communication skills
• Diagnostic skills, knowledge of mental illness and its treatment
• Physically able to lead groups
• Safe driving record
• Experience in group activity planning and facilitation, required
• Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or related fields, preferred
• Experience working with adolescents in a mental health residential treatment program, preferred

About the Program:

The Skyland Trail adolescent treatment program treats teens ages 14 to 17 with a mood or anxiety disorder. A typical length of stay for adolescents at the residential level of care is about 8 to 12 weeks. Many clients continue treatment at the day treatment or intensive outpatient level of care. Though struggling with their mental illness, Skyland Trail patients have entered treatment voluntarily, and clients and their families are engaged in their treatment program.

Skyland Trail campuses include gardens, private patient rooms, and common rooms that provide a therapeutic, healing environment for our clients and families. Clients participate in individual and group therapy as well as daily academic services to maintain progress toward graduation.

A key philosophy at Skyland Trail is that we expect our clients to get better. We help teens identify their own goals for their future, and we help them develop the skills needed to pursue those goals in healthy and effective ways.

The Skyland Trail adolescent treatment program is an evidence-based treatment program that has earned The Joint Commission gold seal of approval since 2020.

Benefits:

• Clinical continuing education provided free-of-charge on-site for a portion of required hours
• 1 paid personal holiday
• Employee assistance program for free or reduced financial counseling, mental health counseling, and other confidential professional assistance
• Accrued PTO
• Opportunity to earn annual bonuses
• As a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, Skyland Trail is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) qualified employer. Full-time employees may qualify for the federal student loan forgiveness program
• Opportunity to opt-in to medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• Employer match toward 403(b) retirement savings account for eligible employees
• 9 paid organization-wide holidays

Workplace Culture:

Skyland Trail is a nonprofit mission-focused organization with five campuses in Atlanta and about 150 employees. Employees work collaboratively in small teams. Cross-departmental committees and working groups help ensure quality and performance improvement. Each and every employee plays an important role in our clients’ healing and recovery.

Skyland Trail respects and values individuals and their diverse histories, abilities, identities, and perspectives. We work to ensure all aspects of our organization reflect our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural equity

Commitment to Community Health:

Skyland Trail values the health of our staff and clients and has taken steps to ensure a healthy campus and community. Please note that Skyland Trail is a 100% nicotine-free campus. There is no smoking, vaping, or tobacco use permitted anywhere on campus, indoors or outdoors.

Skyland Trail also requires employees to be fully vaccinated for Covid-19 and one booster, in additional to a CDC-approved influenza vaccination annually.