Recreational Therapist

WHO WE ARE

With 12 ministries and access points across Indiana and Illinois, Franciscan Health is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest. Franciscan Health takes pride in hiring coworkers that provide compassionate, comprehensive care for our patients and the communities we serve.

The PACE program’s vision statement is to provide unmatched, individualized, and joyful care through teamwork that is worthy of praise so that seniors experience the best quality-of-life in their communities.  PACE offers seniors and their families the care, nutrition, rehabilitation, transportation, and supportive services they need to remain healthy so that they can live in their own home. Franciscan is known for our mission of caring.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

• Leads the Recreational Program and offers direction to roles such as activities coordinators, patient care assistants, and other supportive personnel contributing to delivery of recreational activities. Supports onboarding/precepting of new coworkers and assists leadership in organizational development program efforts.
• Assesses Recreational Therapy service provision, makes recommendations, and offer solutions to modify systems that better meet participants’ cognitive, physical, emotional/psychological, and social well-being.
• Designs, coordinates and dynamically adjusts a schedule of recreational activities for a participant population with diverse social, emotional, and physical abilities. Maximizes opportunities to co-treat and collaborate with other disciplines within the PACE IDT.  Reports observations, changes, and outcomes to the IDT for care plan development. Builds within the Adult Day Health Center a sense of community and a warm social atmosphere that participants can identify as a support system, observes/reports any behavioral or other changes in participant, implements behavioral interventions as deemed necessary by the interdisciplinary team, must be able to remains calm during stressful situations to maintain participant/staff safety and a positive environment. 
• Assesses participant physical, cognitive, social, emotional/psychological, and spiritual needs following standard APIED process. Plans and develops group programming and individual care plans with measurable outcomes based on assessment data. Obtains information from medical records, medical staff, family members and patients to assess participants' capabilities, needs, and interests.
• Implements therapeutic interventions and adaptations in relation to care plans to target individual needs and identified goals. Evaluates therapeutic interventions, goal progression, and functional status and adjusts care plans as needed. Tailors individualized recreational programs to meet the needs of participants living in homes and in congregant living arrangements (assisted living).
• Critically evaluate the needs of all PACE participants in order to authorize/approve care through participation in all required interdisciplinary team (IDT) meetings.
• Thinks critically as a CMS-required member in routine all care plan meetings and IDT meetings to participate in care authorization, serves as directed on committee and referral meetings. Participates in shared decision-making while complying with all policies and standards related to IDT requirements.
• Submits budget proposals as appropriate. Selects and assembles adequate supplies and inventory within an established budget for recreational activities.
• Documents all assessments, progress notes, encounters, and care planning as record of timely provision of services and to maintain regulatory compliance. Upholds professional code of ethics and participant bill of rights.
• Adapts teaching and instruction to the participants' level of comprehension. Communicates effectively with participant/family/caregiver to meet their psychosocial needs through regular contact.
• Liaises with community groups to build partnerships that advance advocacy for inclusion and promotion of functional independence. Implements adaptations for community integration and reintegration of participants. Communicates authorization, claims and billing information for payment of off-site activities. Combines various resources from community organizations for participants as needed.
• Researches innovations in the field for maximum quality of care. Makes data-informed clinical decisions. Implements therapeutic interventions from Evidence-Based Practices towards relevant quality targets that promote service excellence. Participates actively in applicable Quality Improvement committees and initiatives. Prepares and submits data that contributes to the PACE Quality Improvement Plan. Practices with an awareness of CMS requirements, regulations, and the PACE Organization Quality Plan.
• Utilizes wheelchair, van, or other company vehicle to drive participants to/from home or community locations

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's Degree- Recreational Therapy- Required
• 1 Year Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation- Required
• 1 Year working with Frail or Elderly -Required
• 3 Years Recreational Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation- Preferred
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)- Required