Recreation Therapy Assistant Behavioral Health Services Full-Time Day Shift 24602

Join Our Team at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center!**

We are dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our diverse community. As a leading healthcare provider, we offer a supportive and inclusive work environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative setting, New Bridge Medical Center is looking for a Recreation Therapy Assistant.

Job Duties

Provides recreational activities determined by Director/Assistant Director to be
pertinent to resident population.

Designs monthly activities calendar to meet in accordance with comprehensive assessment, the resident’s interests, physical, mental and psycho-social well-being.

Implements and leads programs that provide stimulation or solace or promote physical, cognitive and/or emotional health and enhance each resident’s self-respect, self-expression and choice.

Implements and leads programs utilizing activity zones or parallel programming concepts to meet the needs of all residents in the assigned area.

Provides appropriate individual resident interventions in group activities and in unit milieu.

Responsible for activity area (i.e., unit day room, serenity rooms, recreation wing and auditorium) set-up including moving tables, chairs, and other furniture/equipment to create the optimal environment for recreation programs as determined by department Director/Assistant Director.

Participates in activity program development in conjunction with other Therapeutic Recreation staff.

Develops individual care plans and participates in interdisciplinary care planning conferences.

Documents all designated assessments and required other required documentation in a standardized format within the resident’s medical record and ensure compliance with polices and regulations.

Coordinates community trips for residents.

Transports residents to and from scheduled activities.
Assessment and resident care responsibilities are delivered with knowledge of resident growth and development and are appropriate to those being served

Assists in creating a homelike environment and decorating for seasonal/holiday observances.

Maintains information for discipline certification and adheres to standards, as applicable.

Customer Service: respect, flexibility, knowledge, confidence, professionalism, pleasant attitude, patience and helpfulness. All responses should be timely, professional, caring, and respectful in accordance with Customer Service Performance expectations

Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards. Assesses gaps in policies and procedures, and create necessary policies and procedures to fulfill these gaps.

Understands and adheres to the Medical Center’s Code of Conduct.

Familiar with the Medical Center’s Mission, Vision, and Values Statements.

Other Job Duties
May assist residents during mealtime.
Provides in-service training to other staff.
Enhances professional growth by attending in-services and educational programs.
Assists in preparing for special events (e.g., parties, trips).
Identifies problems and contributes to department problem-solving process relative to patient care.
Attends scheduled staff meetings and maintains communications with all other staff.
Ability to lift and/or push heavy equipment.
Performs other duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the department and organization.

Position Qualifications

Heartsaver/CPR Certification required.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Bilingual candidates preferred. Spanish, Polish or Korean

Education
Bachelor’s Degree is required.
Therapeutic Recreation Bachelor’s Degree preferred;
OR
Certified as an Activity Assistant with the NCCAP and the completion of the Modular Education Program (Parts I & II) for Activity Professionals with one year preferred experience;
OR
Associates Degree or higher combined with 5 or more years of experience.

Job Setting/Physical Demands
Treatment rooms and resident care units and resident rooms.
Mobility and manual dexterity.
Frequent prolonged standing/walking
Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, crouching.
Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients/equipment.
Transports residents to and from program areas

Salary commensurate with experience within posted range

$22.04 PER HOUR PLUS DIFFERENTIALS EVENING $1.00 PER HOUR, NIGHT $1.00, WEEKEND $1.00

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive medical, dental, and vision plans.  We prioritize work-life balance with a generous time off policy that includes ample vacation days, personal time, sick leave and nine paid holidays.  Additionally, we are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees, offering robust tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs to help support our employees ongoing development.