Need THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALIST 1 OR 2 in Jackson, LA

Job title: THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALIST 1 OR 2
Company: State of Louisiana
Job description: Supplemental Information

This vacancy is located within the REHABILITATION DEPARTMENT at the Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System, Jackson, LA. ELMHS is the largest 24-hour, multi-site, state psychiatric complex, comprised or residential, outpatient and inpatient services.
This posting may be used to fill vacancies in other divisions or units at Eastern Louisiana Mental Health System within 90 days of closing.

The position may be filled as either a Probational or Job Appointment (open to all qualified applicants); a promotion (open to all statewide classified and, agency-wide permanent status employees); by Detail to Special Duty; or as a part-time, temporary WAE. Current permanent status, classified employees may be required to accept a Probational appointed if selected. If filled as a Job Appointment, there is a possibility that this position may be converted to a Probational Appointment should funding become available.

ABOUT THIS POSITION:
This position is in a Career Progression Group (CPG) and may be filled as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 1 or 2 depending upon the qualifications of the candidate selected.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of work experience. An application may be considered incomplete if the work experience and education sections are not completed. Please list all work experience.

Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application or faxed to (225) 219-1041. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

To apply for this vacancy, click on the ?Apply? link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

For further information about this vacancy, please contact:

Oshia Whiten
ELMHS Human Resources
Jackson, LA. 70748
225-634-0571
[email protected]

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

GENERAL OPTION:

A baccalaureate degree in rehabilitation, recreation, recreation therapy, physical education, music therapy, dance therapy, art therapy, drama therapy, horticultural therapy, or psychology.

SUBSTITUTIONS (GENERAL OPTION ONLY):

Experience in an organized recreational program as a worker, teacher, instructor, or counselor will substitute for the required college training on the basis of thirty semester hours for one year of experience.

PSYCHIATRIC OPTION:

Either of the following will qualify:

1. A baccalaureate degree in recreation therapy.

OR

2. A baccalaureate degree in any field AND attainment of certification in accordance with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

SUBSTITUTIONS (PSYCHIATRIC OPTION ONLY):

Experience providing therapeutic recreational services will substitute for the baccalaureate degree and certification on the basis of 10 years as equivalent.

NOTE:

Psychiatric services are those services which provide for the diagnosis and treatment of mentally ill persons.

NOTE:

Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.

Job Concepts

Function of Work:
To plan, organize, direct, conduct, and evaluate therapeutic recreational services for special populations.

Level of Work:
Entry.

Supervision Received:
General from a higher-level therapeutic recreation specialist or other supervisor, manager, or administrator.

Supervision Exercised:
Functional over Therapy Aides, non-professional staff, volunteers, or interns.

Location of Work:
Department of Health and Hospitals; LSU - Health Sciences Center, Acute Care Hospitals, Medical Schools; Department of Veterans Affairs; Department of Corrections.

Job Distinctions:
Differs from a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Assistant by the presence of professional-level therapeutic recreation duties and responsibilities.

Differs from a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 2 by the absence of independent responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, conducting, and evaluating therapeutic recreational services for special populations.

Examples of Work

Directs and organizes such activities as sports, dramatics, games, and arts and crafts to assist patients to develop interpersonal relationships, to socialize effectively, and to develop confidence needed to participate in group activities.

Instruct clients in relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, concentration, and other activities.

Regulates content of program in accordance with patients or clients capabilities, needs, and interests.

Instruct clients in calisthenics, stretching and limbering exercises, and individual and group sports.

Counsels and encourages clients to develop leisure activities.

Organizes and conducts special outings, such as ball games, sightseeing, or picnics to make patients aware of available recreational resources.

Prepares progress charts and periodic reports for medical staff and other members of treatment team reflecting client's reactions and evidence of progress or regression.

May supervise and conduct in-service training of other staff members, review their assessments and program goals, and consult with them on selected cases.

May train groups of volunteers and students in techniques of therapeutic recreation.

May serve as consultant to other state agencies, educational institutions, and community health programs.

May prepare and submit requisitions for needed supplies.

May be required to provide some diversionary recreation or creative arts activities and services from time to time or on a continuing basis, in addition to medically prescribed therapy activities.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:

Insurance Coverage More information can be found at

Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement - State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (

). LASERS has provided this to give you more detailed information about their system * Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (
), * Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (
), among others
Expected salary: $2602 - 4682 per month
Location: Jackson, LA

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