Job Title: Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

Department: Adult Day Center - Stratford

Supervisor: Program Director

Job Objective:

The Therapeutic Recreation Assistant plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals in an Adult Day Program. This position involves engaging with clients daily and planning, organizing, and implementing recreational activities that promote the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of elderly clients. The ideal candidate demonstrates compassion, creativity, patience, and strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to adapt activities to meet varying levels of ability and interest. The Therapeutic Recreation Specialist collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to support individualized care plans, encourage client participation, and foster a safe, inclusive, and stimulating environment that enhances independence, dignity, and overall quality of life. Bilingual in Spanish.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Degree/Certification related to Therapeutic Recreation

Experience: 2+ years of experience working with the elderly in a day care setting

Licensure:

Essential Job Functions:

1. Develop and implement recreational programs that cater to the interests and abilities of participants.
2. Conduct diagnostic evaluations to assess individual needs and preferences for recreational activities.
3. Maintain accurate medical records and ensure compliance with HIPPA regulations.
4. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to integrate therapeutic recreation into patient care plans.
5. Provide addiction counseling support as needed within recreational activities.
6. Facilitate crisis management interventions during recreational sessions to ensure participant safety.
7. Utilize medical terminology effectively when communicating with staff and participants.
8. Foster a positive environment that encourages participation from all individuals, particularly those in geriatrics and senior care settings.
9. Organize special events and outings that promote community engagement.
10. Other related duties as assigned.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

1. Ability to sit or stand for long periods of time.
2. Ability to speak clearly and be understood.
3. Able to hear sounds within some background of noise as in answering the phone, intercom, etc.
4. Visual acuity to see computers and read printed documents.
5. Ability to use company software and equipment to accomplish electronic tasks.
6. Ability to concentrate on fine details with interruptions.
7. Ability to attend tasks/functions for more than 60 minutes at a time.
8. Ability to understand and relate to the reasons behind several related concepts.
9. Ability to remember multiple tasks /assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.
10. Ability to perform gross body coordination such as walking, stooping, filing, etc.
11. Ability to perform tasks which require hand eye coordination such as keyboard skills, writing or picking up paper.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain every possible listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.