Our children's hospital serves children ages 5 to 12 years and adolescent’s ages 13 to 19 years who are in psychiatric crisis. Children whose behaviors are life threatening, destructive or disabling or that require 24-hour monitoring and assessment meet criteria for admission. The program provides assessment and stabilization of psychiatric symptoms. The goal of treatment is to promote the highest level of functioning through an individualized treatment plan. The focus is on returning consumers to their homes or to the least restrictive level of care as quickly as possible, with comprehensive aftercare plans. The estimated stay in this BayPointe program is three to ten days.

Recreational Specialists are utilized in AltaPointe’s Acute Hospital Settings. They plan and develop activities, plans special events, provide daily planned activities and assess the consumers interest, skills and recovery while participating in recreational activities.

Essential Functions

• Assesses the consumer’s interests, skill levels, barriers to recovery and recreation participation
• Utilizes assessment data to design appropriate/applicable therapeutic recreation activities
• Plans and develops activities according to the consumers rehabilitation needs
• Ensures the implementation of planned activities on a daily basis
• Provides ongoing monitoring and interaction with consumers
• Teaches consumers the necessary skills to transition to a less restrictive setting
• Plans special facility events, such as talent shows, seasonal festivities, etc.
• Demonstrates the ability to recognize the elements of a crisis state and knows how to deescalate or resolve the situation
• Applies seclusion and restraint per AltaPointe Policy & Procedure, as required
• Effectively collaborates with the treatment team members and outside sources in the delivery of services
• Adheres to professional code of ethics
• Assists with the recreation therapy services planning, development, and implementation.
• Provides Recreational Aides with training/consultation as needed
• Seeks clinical supervision and consultation as needed
• Accepts and employs suggestions for improvement
• Actively works to enhance skills.
• Documents in a timely fashion per AltaPointe Policy
• Documents appropriate, complete, and comprehensive educational and activity assessments and summaries of progress in basic living skills
• Documents in a clear and concise manner types of consumer problems, treatment goals addressed, and service
• Treats consumers with care, dignity and compassion
• Respects consumer’s privacy and confidentiality
• Is pleasant and cooperative with others
• Assists consumers and visitors as needed
• Personal values don’t inhibit ability to relate and care for others
• Is sensitive to the consumer’s needs, expectations, and individual differences
• Is gentle and calm to consumers and families
• Actively participates in Performance Improvement activities
• Actively participates in AltaPointe committees as required
• Completes assigned tasks in a timely manner
• Follows AltaPointe Policies & Procedures
• Attends appropriate in-service trainings and workshops
• Maintains current certification, if applicable, and attends required workshops and in-services

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in an education or mental health discipline, certification preferred; 21 years of age; valid driver license; proof of current liability insurance; knowledge in child/adolescent and adult specialties outlined below to be attained within six (6) months of employment.

• Knowledge of psychiatric disorders in child/adolescent and adult populations
• Basic Knowledge of growth and development of child/adolescent and adult consumers as related to all intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and physical aspects of the consumers’ development
• Knowledge of cultural diversity
• Knowledge of behavior management, crisis intervention and interventions common to acute psychotic consumers, as well as to non-violent crisis intervention practices.
• Knowledge of Psychiatric Rehabilitation principles                                                            
• Knowledge of available community resources
• Knowledge of educational methods appropriate to children/adolescents and adults with severe and persistent psychiatric disorders
• Knowledge of therapeutic activities (i.e. recreation and leisure, expressive arts)