Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
20 days ago
Recreational Therapist

The Veterans Home at Holyoke is seeking enthusiastic and compassionate professionals for our Recreational Therapist team. The incumbents for these positions will assist the department director with planning, organizing, and instructing Veterans through participation in both individual and group leisure activities in accordance with their needs and capabilities.

Schedule:

This position is 40 hours per week; 8:00am-4:30pm to include working every other weekend and holiday.


Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

Assist in the planning and implementation of activities suitable for Veterans in a long-term care facilityAssist in the development of individual Veteran therapeutic goals and objectivesSupport Veterans’ spiritual, emotional and physical needsResponsible for the completion of recreation documentation (i.e. progress notes, assessments, MDS)Assist with community trips and special eventsOrder and maintain recreational supplies and equipment to ensure their availability and safety for Veteran useProvide leisure education designed to help the Veterans acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for independence and social involvementAttend professional meetings, seminars and conferences to maintain a comprehensive and current knowledge of recreation therapy

Required Qualifications:

Knowledge and understanding of Recreation Therapy principles and techniquesAbility to work effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary teamAbility to deal tactfully with others and to lead a groupAbility to motivate others andinteract with people who are under physical and/or emotional stressAbility to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of othersAbility to exercise sound judgement as well as discretion in handling confidential information

Preferred Qualifications:

CTRS Certification (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist)Experience working in a long-term care facilityExperience working with geriatric and/or memory-impaired populationsTalent for recognizing the cultural diversity of the Home and ensure sensitive and equitable treatment for all who work and visit the facility

Agency Mission:

The Veterans Home at Holyoke is a state-funded, fully accredited health care facility that offers veterans quality health care, including full-time residential accommodations, and provides educational and social services for Veterans in the Commonwealth. The Veterans Home is staffed by approximately 330 administrators, clinicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, skilled trade, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, contractors, consultants and general administrative personnel. The tradition of service to the veterans of Massachusetts is surpassed only by a continued commitment to excellence in care for those who are in need now and in the future. Our mission is to provide “Care with Dignity, Honor, and Respect” to our Veterans.

Learn more about our important work: http://www.mass.gov/hly

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Veterans' Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete theReasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

The Veterans Home at Holyoke is seeking enthusiastic and compassionate professionals for our Recreational Therapist team. The incumbents for these positions will assist the department director with planning, organizing, and instructing Veterans through participation in both individual and group leisure activities in accordance with their needs and capabilities.

Schedule:

This position is 40 hours per week; 8:00am-4:30pm to include working every other weekend and holiday.


Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

Assist in the planning and implementation of activities suitable for Veterans in a long-term care facilityAssist in the development of individual Veteran therapeutic goals and objectivesSupport Veterans’ spiritual, emotional and physical needsResponsible for the completion of recreation documentation (i.e. progress notes, assessments, MDS)Assist with community trips and special eventsOrder and maintain recreational supplies and equipment to ensure their availability and safety for Veteran useProvide leisure education designed to help the Veterans acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for independence and social involvementAttend professional meetings, seminars and conferences to maintain a comprehensive and current knowledge of recreation therapy

Required Qualifications:

Knowledge and understanding of Recreation Therapy principles and techniquesAbility to work effectively as a member of the interdisciplinary teamAbility to deal tactfully with others and to lead a groupAbility to motivate others andinteract with people who are under physical and/or emotional stressAbility to plan, assign and coordinate the activities of othersAbility to exercise sound judgement as well as discretion in handling confidential information

Preferred Qualifications:

CTRS Certification (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist)Experience working in a long-term care facilityExperience working with geriatric and/or memory-impaired populationsTalent for recognizing the cultural diversity of the Home and ensure sensitive and equitable treatment for all who work and visit the facility

Agency Mission:

The Veterans Home at Holyoke is a state-funded, fully accredited health care facility that offers veterans quality health care, including full-time residential accommodations, and provides educational and social services for Veterans in the Commonwealth. The Veterans Home is staffed by approximately 330 administrators, clinicians, nurses, certified nursing assistants, skilled trade, dietary staff, housekeeping staff, contractors, consultants and general administrative personnel. The tradition of service to the veterans of Massachusetts is surpassed only by a continued commitment to excellence in care for those who are in need now and in the future. Our mission is to provide “Care with Dignity, Honor, and Respect” to our Veterans.

Learn more about our important work: http://www.mass.gov/hly

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Veterans' Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete theReasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

The job specifications outlined below and within the attached Form 30 are currently being reviewed and will be updated in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) effective July 2, 2023.


Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in planning, organizing, instituting or conducting therapeutic recreation services in a recognized public or private agency, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience in the substitution below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in recreation, recreation education, creative arts therapy or therapeutic recreation may be substituted for the required experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics?Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards

COVID Vaccine:As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

The job specifications outlined below and within the attached Form 30 are currently being reviewed and will be updated in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) effective July 2, 2023.


Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, technical or professional experience in planning, organizing, instituting or conducting therapeutic recreation services in a recognized public or private agency, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience in the substitution below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major in recreation, recreation education, creative arts therapy or therapeutic recreation may be substituted for the required experience.

Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

Special Requirements: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics?Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards

COVID Vaccine:As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

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