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.