Recreational Therapist I

The Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental Health Center operated by the Department of Mental Health (DMH) is seeking a compassionate, talented Recreational Therapist to join a cohesive and dedicated Psychiatric Rehabilitation Team.

The primary role of the Rec Therapist is to support staff, clients, and affiliated program utilization of the wellness areas at the Fuller site including the gymnasium and fitness center while following all policy and procedure. In coordination with the Director of Rehab, the Rec Therapist will maintain inventory of equipment, request new equipment to support client engagement, and request repair or replacement of existing equipment as needed. Provides recreational groups to inpatient clients. Ensures safety of clients and staff during on-unit and off-unit recreational activities.

Please Note: This is a full-time 40-hour position, Sunday – Thursday 9a-5:30p days off Friday and Saturday

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

• Supports inpatient clients and clients from affiliated programs with meaningful engagement in wellness and leisure activities.
• Supports staff utilization of wellness areas.
• Participate in maintaining safety in wellness areas.
• Maintains equipment while recommending repair and replacement as indicated.

Required Qualifications:

• Understanding of the factors, trends and problems in providing recreation services to special client groups, such as people living with mental health, physical and/ or age-related challenges.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures followed in general recreation activities including swimming.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of counseling as applied to therapeutic recreation.
• Knowledge of human anatomy and physiology as applied to recreation therapy.
• Ability to interact with people who are under physical and/ or emotional stress.
• Capacity to stimulate interest and participation in recreational activities.
• Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural and/ or economic backgrounds.
• Capacity to maintain a calm manner in stressful and/ or emergency situation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience and ability to facilitate individual and group activities, including physical activities/ exercise
• CPR/ First-Aid Certificate

Special Requirements:

• Current Massachusetts Driver’s License

Working Conditions :

• Recreational Therapists may work in psychiatric treatment settings with individuals living with emotional distress, mental health conditions and / or intellectual disabilities as well as with people within the correctional system.
• Recreational Therapists may also work out-of-doors exposed to changing weather conditions.
• Recreational Therapists may need to travel for work related purposes.

Agency Mission:

The Dr. Solomon Carter Fuller Mental health Center, (Fuller) 60 bed inpatient psychiatric facility provides comprehensive, information and timely forensic evaluations for individuals to determine pre-trial competency and or criminal responsibility. We also provide quality, integrated care to support an individual’s recovery process through ongoing psychiatric treatment and care.

We envision an environment that is committed to preventing restraint and seclusion in which leadership and staff model compassion, caring, and hope.

An environment where individual's strengths are recognized and these strengths are utilized to foster hope, facilitate self-determination, and promote physical health and well-being so the individual can become more resilient, forge lasting community alliances and supports to live a fulfilling life.

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 Health and Human 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.

**ADA Reasonable Accommodation: **

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. 4.