Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS), Southeastern Mental Health Authority seeks qualified individuals for the position of Rehabilitation Therapist 2 (Therapeutic Recreation) (PCN00026214) for the Brief Care Program, Norwich, CT 1st Shift, 8:00 - 3:30pm Monday through Friday. This position is primarily responsible for providing individualized and group recreational therapy interventions for clients served by SMHA Brief Care Program (BCP).

Duties Include: Selects, plans and administers therapeutic recreation programs for individuals who are identified as having substance abuse, addictions, and also may be dually diagnosed; planning monthly schedule of events such as cooking, volunteer, gardening, budgeting, crafts, swimming and leisure awareness; provide individual support and program planning to meet their specific goals and needs, including one to one support, homework assistance, ADL, decisions making and DBT as well as conflict resolution; data collection to assess growth as well as to develop new goals and new activities; order supplies for specific programs and activities, including crafts, sports and cooking; maintain equipment so that groups and house can run smoothly; maintenance requests as needed; transport clients to and from activities and appointments; work with team to assists them in meeting treatment plan goals; participate in admission process, orientation to LSP as well as participate in treatment teams and discharge meetings. Develops monthly activity calendar plans.

Questions about these required documents should be directed to Edra Knight, Edra.Knight@ct.gov, (860) 859-4651.

In a state facility this class is accountable for the planning, administration, implementation and evaluation of professional therapy programs in a recognized therapeutic discipline for persons with physical, mental and emotional disabilities.

Selects, plans, administers and implements a therapeutic program by utilizing a specific therapy function to teach skills to correct disorders in mental, emotional or motor status of a client and/or patient; writes and implements treatment plans; plans, schedules and conducts individual and group activities; actively participates in admission, treatment and discharge planning of a client and/or patient; participates in interdisciplinary team meetings presenting cases and discussing future treatment goals and objectives for a client and/or patient; participates in institutional, professional and community groups and/or task forces; participates in staff meetings and on interdisciplinary committees; trains and supervises staff and clients in application of a specific discipline; provides inservice training to other staff; attends and participates in workshops and conferences; gathers and uses data from observation and diagnostic tests to develop goals and new activities; coordinates therapy services with other disciplines such as occupational or physical therapy; selects appropriate materials and implements a therapeutic program to meet needs of client and/or patient; maintains and orders equipment; observes, records and evaluates client and/or patient progress; may transport and escort clients and/or patients to community functions; may teach direct care and paraprofessional staff in application of a specific therapy; may make adaptive equipment; may serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of a designated therapeutic discipline; knowledge of physical, mental and psychosocial disorders; knowledge of individual and group dynamics; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; skill in evaluating client needs.

Five (5) years of professional experience in the appropriate professional rehabilitation therapy program specialty performing such activities as program evaluation, planning and application for persons with mental, emotional and physical disabilities.
Note: For state employees this will be interpreted as one (1) year of experience at the level of Rehabilitation Therapist 1 or its equivalent.

College training in the appropriate recognized therapeutic discipline indicated by the parenthetical title may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (W.S.I.), and/or life saving (CPR, First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in the use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
3. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury and moderately disagreeable conditions while providing treatment to clients/patients.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.