Activity Specialist

Activity Specialist

Requisition # : req13965

Location : Grand Rapids, MI

Hours : Full-time (40 Hours / Week) 2nd Shift, occasional weekends

Bethany is changing the world through family. We began our work by serving one child more than 75 years ago. Today, Bethany is an international Christian nonprofit partnering with communities in more than 30 states and in several countries around the world.

We strengthen and preserve families, support displaced people fleeing danger, and find safe, loving families for children who need them.

Bethany is at the forefront of creating and implementing solutions to meet the growing needs of vulnerable children and families in the and around the world.

The Residential Treatment Program is committed to providing the highest quality care and supervision to the youth being served.

To assure that quality exists, the program only employs personnel with good moral character, emotional stability, and of sufficient health, ability, experience and education to perform the duties assigned.

Assist in the development and implementation of the therapeutic recreation program for the residential treatment program.

Assess the resident's capabilities, needs, interests and goals in the process of planning, organizing, and implementing activity therapy interventions for individual residents and groups.

Facilitate incentive program, group activities and exercise program in coordination with designated youth counselors.

This position is expected to function effectively with regular supervision while following the guidelines given on procedures, along with agency, federal, and state licensing regulatory requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Participate in planning and evaluation of an activity therapy program to address the resident's therapeutic needs. Incorporate activity therapy interventions in accordance with currently accepted standards of practice.
• Provide comprehensive needs assessment regarding the recreational needs of each resident.
• Make recommendations regarding treatment approaches and interventions. Participate in staff meetings and conferences and present clinical impressions, formulations and behavioral observations regarding each resident's treatment.
• Maintain familiarity with resident's history, current level, and specific precautions indicated on treatment plan.
• Promote and establish therapeutic relationships and effectively utilize leadership, teaching and counseling techniques to gain cooperation from and motivate residents and resident groups.
• Represent activity therapy on assigned committees.
• Plan, organize, and promote group activities, level outings, dinner outings, summer school park outings, educational outings, and other internal incentives.

Coordinate with Youth Counselors responsible for attending activities.

Develop, plan, and distribute the monthly schedule of group activities, group exercises, dinner outings and activity outings.

Facilitate assigned activities on the schedule.

• Develop, plan, and distribute special weekly schedule for times when the residents are scheduled to be off from school.
• Maintain an inventory of Activity Therapy supplies. Submit for approval requests for supplies, equipment, and other expenses to the Clinical Supervisor.
• Keep a record of supplies and expenses incurred in providing assigned activities. Detail the date and description of the event, number of participants, units involved and an itemized breakdown of costs.
• Keep abreast of and solicit community resources when appropriate.
• Meet weekly with supervisor for guidance and consultation.
• Complete training requirements of 50 hours the first year and 25 hours each year thereafter.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• BA in Recreation Therapy or BA in a related field with prior experience in activity programming.
• Ability to pass required medical examinations and to have physical ability to fulfill essential functions, including restraint of a resident.
• Pass a TB test annually and document preference to receive or decline Hepatitis immunization. Possess the ability to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary treatment team.
• Knowledge of current recreation therapy principles, therapeutic interventions and group counseling techniques.
• One year experience in child care with emphasis in treatment of sexual offenders.
• Maintain a reliable automobile with adequate insurance coverage.
• Possess excellent clinical, therapeutic and assessment skills.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills.
• Computer skills sufficient to perform essential functions includingknowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
• Must be 21 years old with a valid driver’s license with at least 3 yearsdriving experience in the to operate a vehicle on behalf of Bethany.

Mustalso pass a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and maintain a reliable vehiclewith proof of adequate insurance coverage.

• Pass a criminal history screen, including state and local child protection agency registries;
• Documentation of immunity to vaccine preventable diseases orthe willingness to receive vaccination, or seeking an exemption;
• Subscription to and integration of the agency Statement of Faith and Mission Statement.
30+ days ago