Therapeutic Recreation Director

POSITION SUMMARY

The Therapeutic Recreation Director is accountable for the development, implementation, supervision and ongoing evaluation of the activity and recreation programs to ultimately enhance residents’ quality of life. Completion of the activity's component of the comprehensive individual assessment and contributing to resident care plans to ensure the activities programs are designed to meet the individual interests as well as physical, emotional and psychosocial well-being of each resident. Implements programs, monitors responses to them and determines if individual resident needs are being met, revising as needed and keeping with the Resident’s Bill of Rights as well as the facility Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) program. In locations where there are no TR Aides, the TR Director will fulfill the duties of the TR Aide as well.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

PLANNING AND DELIVERY OF RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROGRAMS

• Provides an ongoing program of activities in accordance with the comprehensive assessment and designed to meet the interests and physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of the resident
• Ensures activities program is regularly scheduled at least 5 days per week and posted 1 week in advance
• Develops and maintains a master calendar of activities and life enriching opportunities for residents; posts monthly calendar; develop daily calendar addressing edits made from monthly calendar; ensure all residents receive the calendar and communicate daily activities during morning meeting
• Encourages residents to be involved in their own care through a purposeful activities program allowing each to function at their maximum physical, mental, social and emotional capacity
• Encourages social interaction between residents; create small and large group programs that involve and motivate residents, some involving transportation to offsite locations
• Provide in-room projects for residents confined to their room, encouraging independent interests
• Coordinate seasonal/special events including planning, organizing, publicizing, implementing, decorating
• Ensures residents are provided opportunities to participate in the planning and development of the activity and recreation program, while allowing residents to choose activities and schedules
• Plans and conducts individual and group activities to meet residents’ needs based upon assessment
• Interacts with residents in a manner that promotes the maintenance/enhancement of their quality of life

REPORTING AND DOCUMENTATION

• Completes assessments initially, quarterly, annually and as needed, monitoring continually to determine residents’ needs
• Completes TR section of resident care plan in effort to meet established needs; participates in resident care conferences
• Works as part of inter-disciplinary team (IDT) to ensure TR portion of care plan is integrated
• Continually document and evaluate resident’s needs, likes, dislikes and programs provided
• Ensures activities are documented in medical record

DEVELOP AND MANAGE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

• Partner with HR Director for recruiting Volunteer candidates and participate in interviews with the HRD and/or Administrator
• Ensure Volunteers are fully oriented to the TR department and trained prior to beginning service
• Ensure Volunteers understand how they will be helping and limits to their role
• Monitor, evaluate and address performance within Volunteer guidelines (they are not an employee)
• Promote/maintain interest among Volunteers by recognition of service and strong community relations

MANAGE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION TEAM

• Participate in interviews for TR Assistant candidates with the HRD
• Orient TR Assistants to the TR department and ensure they are trained prior to beginning
• Coach, evaluate and address performance; praise good performance
• Motivate staff to provide creative ideas to enhance the activity and leisure time of residents

FACILITY COMPLIANCE AND LEADERSHIP

• Act as Resident Council Advisor, coordinating meetings
• Promotes a highly positive workplace centered on strong customer service, inclusivity and ensuring staff feel welcome and supported
• Participates in all facility leadership meetings, providing TR input and guidance as well as sharing Corporate TR initiatives when applicable
• Attends all offsite meetings and actively engages with fellow TR colleagues.
• Ability and willingness to work some evenings and weekends as directed by supervisor.

MANAGEMENT OF DEPARTMENT

• Follow written budget provided by Administrator; controls and monitors expenditures
• Assess and maintain staff hours within budgetary guidelines
• Orders supplies and equipment according to needs and priorities of the department
• Reports equipment in need of repair to Maintenance department immediately
• Cooperates with other departments in maintaining a safe and sanitary environment
• Recommends changes in the interest of effectiveness and proper use of space and equipment
• Participates in inspections and audits of department to maintain safety and sanitary conditions
• Ensures all equipment used for programs have been cleaned on a regular basis and as designated by safety and/or Infection Control nurse

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

• Must be a TR Specialist or Activities Professional who is licensed or registered in Minnesota and is eligible for certification as a TR Specialist or as an Activities Professional; or have 2 years’ experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was FT in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or has completed a training course approve by the state of Minnesota

Preferred

• Experience in healthcare, skilled nursing facility or assisted living community

Required Skills and Abilities

• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and pivot with sudden demands of your attention.
• Resilience; ability to welcome constructive feedback, course correct and not take it personally
• Personability; ability to get along with all personality types and inspire trust with residents, staff, family.
• High emotional intelligence (EQ)
• Ability to actively listen, with the goal of understanding.
• Ability to clearly speak and proficiently read and write in English.
• Comfort in operating in ambiguous situations and with diverse populations.
• Ability to thrive in an environment that is fast-paced and rapidly growing.

About Monarch:

Monarch’s mission is to change the way short term rehabilitation and long-term care is delivered. We strive to make patient care and customer service come together, putting the needs of our residents and their families first. We fulfill the communities need for health and housing, in a comfortable well equipped, pleasant home like atmosphere.

We could not provide this caliber of services without our dedicated employees. We value their contributions and work hard to attract and retain the best talent by offering a positive and supportive work environment along with competitive pay, nice perks, and great benefits.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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