Activity Therapist (Ft)

The Therapist is responsible for providing high-quality patient care, displaying good skills in the assessment of patient’s functional needs and outcomes; consulting with and participating as part of the patients’ treatment team. The Therapist effectively participates as a member of the multidisciplinary team and the unit community relations team. The Therapist reviews patients’ functional needs and will adjust care plans to assist patients in expressing their emotions and experiences in a safe and controlled manner, ensuring optimal patient outcomes. Depending on Program needs and the Therapists education and training, the Therapist may function in a variety of therapeutic roles.

Essential Duties

• Respect patient rights and organizational ethics
• Conducts and adjusts therapies following patient diagnosis and needs
• Implements a treatment plan of care for patients based on a thorough assessment of the patient’s symptom presentation, professional/referral input, and all other available data. Completes individualized and group therapies to ensure optimal outcomes
• Conducts therapy practice within defined standards of care
• Completes progress notes and assessments according to program procedures
• Participates as an active member of the interdisciplinary team
• Communicate effectively with other professional and support staff to achieve positive patient outcomes
• Practices hospital and departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality improvement program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards
• Conducts group therapy sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of group therapy principles and group therapy techniques
• Engages in timely, efficient discharge planning. Works in close conjunction with patient's family, nursing staff, social workers, and attending physician
• Displays thorough knowledge of available community therapeutic resources
• As directed, conducts individual psychotherapy sessions following state/regulatory standards, displays sufficient theoretical knowledge of psychopathology and effective treatment techniques (under the guidance of a LCSW
• As directed, conducts family therapy sessions following state/regulatory standards, displaying sufficient theoretical knowledge of family therapy principles/psychopathology and effective treatment techniques
• As directed, conducts group therapy sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of group therapy principles/psychopathology and effective group therapy techniques
• As directed, conducts activity therapy sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of activity therapy principles/psychopathology and effective group therapy techniques
• As directed, conducts educational group sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of subject matter and effective communication skills in presenting material
• Provides ongoing education to patients and families as needed
• Conducts educational group sessions, displaying good theoretical knowledge of subject matter and effective communication skills in presenting material
• Provides resources and support for patients before, during, and after treatment of patients"

Required Experience

• Minimum one year of experience or internship in a similar position.
• Proficiency in software applications and effective presentation skills.
• Ability to manage stress, make decisions under pressure, and handle potentially volatile situations appropriately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a clinical environment and use standard office equipment.
• Willingness to accommodate physical demands as outlined in the job description.

Required Licensure/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college with a major in recreational therapy or a related field is preferred
• Certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreations Certification (NCTRC) if applicable

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure:

• Chemicals: Refer to MSDS sheets
• Video Display Terminals: Average
• Blood and Body Fluids: Diagnostic composite of patients, frequent contact with intravenous devices, and high potential for contact with contaminated body fluids (blood, stool, vomitus) and administration of blood does create a high risk. use of needleless IV system, universal precautions and protective equipment minimize risk.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Patient diagnostic presentations do pose high risk; however, usage of protective wear, appropriate size TB mask from fit test and universal precautions reduces risk.

Sensory requirements (speech, vision, smell, hearing, touch):

• Speech: Required to communicate with patient/families/staff/doctors, coworkers, ancillary personnel and other department heads. Ability to ask for help. 
• Vision: Required to observe patients and their physical assessment, ability to read reports, ability to read machines.
• Smell: Helpful to note presence of incontinence, vomitus, blood; electrical/fire safety. 
• Hearing: Necessary to hear alarms, calls for help and to hear patient verbalizations; ability to listen for lung, bowel, heart sounds.
• Touch: Necessary to assess patients, need to distinguish between hot and cold.

Activity/Lifting Requirements:

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 4%
• Stand: 40%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 25%
• Kneel: 1%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 1%
• Climb: 1%
• Bend: 30%
• Reach above shoulders: 3%

The weight required to be lifted each normal workday according to the continuum described below:

• Up to 10 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100lbs: Not Required

Describe and explain the lifting and carrying requirements:

• Lifting of patients off their beds that are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Horizontal movement of patients to and from carts/beds who are unable to move independently is done with assistive lifting equipment.
• Lifting equipment - carry 25'- 150' waist high (IV bags, patient trays).
• Carry charts 25'- 150' waist high. Filled laundry bags are filled half full so as not to weigh over 35 lbs.
• Carry fire extinguishers up or down 3-4 flights of stairs and several yards in an emergency.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 30
• Twist: 15
• Stand: 60
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 10
• Kneel: 0
• Lift: 5
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 2
• Climb: 1
• Bend: 15
• Reach above shoulders: 2

Repetitive use of hands (Frequency indicated):

• Simple grasp 10 lbs. Normal weight <5#.
• Pushing & pulling - 50-200 lbs: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Typing in computer, medical/supply dispensing cabinet, using pens to chart, drawing up meds in syringe and administration, starting IV's.

Leg Strength: 

• up to 50 lbs: Occasionally- (repetitive use of foot or feet in operating machine control: utilized in positioning beds during transport; x-ray, surgery or in an emergency situation from floor to floor, locking beds or cardiac chairs.)

Environmental Factors and Special Hazards:

Environmental Factors (Time Spent):

• Inside hours: 6-40
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Odors

Special Hazards: 

• Chemical -drugs/work with patients receiving chemotherapy-Explosive-oxygen; Radiation-cesium implants and radioactive iodine therapy direct radiation for radiology equipment; mechanical- use of Hoover lift bed scales, motorized wheelchairs, bathtub lift chair.
• Protective Clothing Required: As required for chemotherapy or in cases of isolation, i.e. gloves, gowns, masks, goggles.