Children's Hospital of Richmond at VCU Combines award-winning research, education, and clinical care with an uncanny understanding of what makes kids tick. Our team is a family. We work together to give every child in our growing community a chance to heal, recover, and celebrate their superpowers.
Recreation Therapist Responsibilities:
- The Recreation Therapist evaluates, plans, and implements treatment for assigned in-patient populations with limited abilities and a variety of rehabilitative diagnoses.
- The Recreation Therapist provides clinical services in the areas including but not limited to therapy, recreation participation, leisure education, leisure counseling, and community reintegration and associated skills.
- The Recreation Therapist collaborates with the interdisciplinary team regarding programming appropriate for patients. This position documents services provided to patients.
- The Recreation Therapist performs routine work duties to support the practice of therapeutic recreation in this setting.
Requirements for Hire:
- Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) and/or Certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC) or eligible for certification within 6 months of VCUHS date of hire as a Recreational Therapist.
- Valid Virginia Driver's License and driving record with no major infractions (only applies to RTs driving the Rehab Van).
Requirements for Continued Employment:
- Current Child Life Specialist/Recreation Therapist Certification.
- CPR Certification may be required depending on the area of practice.
- Current Virginia Driver's License and ongoing checks of driving record with no major infractions (only applies to RTs that drive the Rehab Van).
Experience:
- REQUIRED: Relevant Child Life or Recreational Therapist internship and six months of experience in an acute care setting or as applicable to the area of practice.
- PREFERRED: Experience in a hospital setting and in a similar specialty/practice area. Previous experience with community reintegration.
Education/Training:
- REQUIRED: Bachelor's Degree in Recreation Therapy, Early Childhood Education, and/or Child Life.
- PREFERRED: Fieldwork in a similar specialty/practice area.
Independent Actions Required:
- Evaluation and treatment of patients with routine diagnoses.
- Setting a schedule and managing time.
- Reporting in patient conferences.
- Goal setting for routine diagnoses.
- Completion of routine documentation.
- Interaction with the interdisciplinary team.
- Excellent customer service.
- Development of a community reintegration program.
Supervisory Responsibilities (if applicable):
- Therapist provides guidance for COTA staff, supervision for fieldwork students, and volunteers.
Additional Position Requirements:
- Cross-coverage to all three treatment teams (as it applies to the specialty/practice area).
- Saturday and holiday coverage on a rotating basis as applicable.
- Evenings for community reintegration activities 1-2 times per week (as it applies to the specialty/practice area).
Age Specific Groups Served:
- As appropriate based on unit assignment.
Physical Requirements (includes use of assistance devices as appropriate):
Physical:
- Lifting 50-100 lbs.
- Activities: Frequent bending, walking (distance), climbing (steps, ladder, other), reaching (overhead, extensive, repetitive).
Mental/Sensory:
- Strong recall, reasoning, problem solving, hearing, speak clearly, write legibly, reading, logical thinking.
Emotional:
- Fast-paced environment, steady pace, able to handle multiple priorities, frequent and intense customer interactions, noisy environment, able to adapt to frequent change.