Director of Therapeutic Recreation

Responsibilities

POSITION SUMMARY

Seeking a seasoned, highly motivated leader to oversee the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) team and department and to provide guidance to the Clinical Coordinator of Therapeutic Recreation. The ideal candidate has excellent leadership and management skills and values individual and group recreation in the lives of pediatric residents and young adults, creating opportunities that promote independence, honor individual preferences, and enhance each resident’s well-being and sense of self.

JOB FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position

- Uphold the ESCC Mission and Core Values in daily practice: work as a team to fulfill our mission and share recognition, and treat every resident, family member, and co-worker with dignity, respect, and courtesy.

- Continually improve the organization’s systems and services.

- Provide group and individual supervision to recreation staff, including case management supervision for all CTRS staff (evaluations, treatment programs, handling skills, documentation, use of adaptive equipment, and interdisciplinary interaction).

- Complete annual and probationary performance evaluations for Therapeutic Recreation staff.

- Develop and implement clinical practice competencies for CTRS staff.

- Ensure Therapeutic Recreation staff adhere to established clinical documentation standards in a timely manner.

- Ensure adequate and functional staffing year-round, including weekend and holiday coverage.

- Oversee payroll processing for Therapeutic Recreation staff, including reviewing and approving timekeeping, overtime, weekend and holiday coverage, and paid time off requests, and submitting accurate payroll information to the Associate Administrator and Human Resources/Finance within established deadlines and in compliance with FLSA and Center policy.

- Participate in interviewing, selecting, hiring, and orienting new staff, including presenting Therapeutic Recreation programming (special events, trips, etc.) at New Hire Orientation.

- Oversee, or assign a CTRS to manage, the clinical internship program.

- Conduct team meetings to share information and obtain staff feedback.

- Develop, review, and amend policies related to Therapeutic Recreation.

- Manage the operating and capital budgets, including restricted funds.

- Support development and donor relations efforts by identifying program needs and funding opportunities, partnering with the Development Department to cultivate and steward donors, and providing program information, resident-centered stories, and event participation (with attention to resident privacy and consent) to acknowledge and recognize donor support.

- Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and the Development Department on grant opportunities, including identifying funding priorities, contributing program information, outcomes, and statistics to grant applications, and tracking, implementing, and reporting on awarded grant-funded programs and expenditures in compliance with grant requirements.

- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate and schedule facility-wide events and outside entertainment.

- Participate and collaborate in scheduling and conducting VIP tours (e.g., donors, board members, officials, and community partners), including coordinating resident participation, program showcases, and staff coverage while protecting resident dignity, privacy, and preferences.

- Schedule and obtain required approvals for community outings for residents, including administrative and physician approvals, transportation, accessible vehicles, chaperone staffing, risk assessment, and required documentation, in accordance with Center policy and applicable regulations.

- Receive, review, and coordinate requests for resident trips and outings from residents, families, and unit staff, prioritizing equitably based on resident preferences, care plans, medical stability, and available resources, and communicating decisions in a timely manner.

- Coordinate with Nursing and Respiratory Therapy to ensure appropriate clinical support for residents on trips and outings, including medication administration, medical and respiratory equipment (e.g., ventilators, oxygen, suction), emergency supplies, and clinical staff or escorts, as determined by resident care needs.

- Lead and organize committees that promote and support family-centered, resilience-focused, trauma-informed care facility-wide.

- Participate in pertinent ESCC committees and Business Plan teams as appropriate (e.g., Family Advisory Council, Family Visitation, Palliative Care Committee, Young Adult Program planning).

- Provide Therapeutic Recreation statistics to the Associate Administrator, and Financial Department as needed.

- Attend supervisory meetings with the Associate Administrator as scheduled.

- Engage in ongoing continuing education consistent with professional standards.

- Perform other related duties as necessary or as directed by the Associate Administrator.

Qualifications

Education Requirements:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or a closely related field

- Certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

Experience

- Minimum of 5 years’ professional experience in a clinical pediatric setting, including two years of supervisory experience in Therapeutic Recreation.

- Preferred: clinical or volunteer experience with children with complex medical needs.

Employee Requirements:

- Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English fluently.

- Must meet or exceed all health standards and requirements for the position established by NYSDOH, other regulatory agencies, and Center policy, including a medical and physical examination.

- Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of thirty-five (35) pounds.

- Perform tasks that may involve exposure to the resident’s blood/body fluids.

- Must be able to assist in the evacuation of residents, if necessary.

Working Conditions:

- Will work in a well-lighted and ventilated area.

- Will be subject to frequent interruptions.

- May be asked to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Salary Range:

$87,000.00/Yr. To $92,000.00/Yr.