Ole Hoosier RT Taking Time Off

I'll be taking some time away from the RT Blog. Plan to post again in October.

RTI Call for Board Nominations

For RTI members! RTI Members, It's that time again! The annual conference is right around the corner, and it's time to look ahead and start planning for the new Board of Directors for 2013-2014. Please fill out the attached form and send it to Mandy McQueeney by October 11, 2013 at recreationaltherapy@meaningfuldays.net. Please consider running for board member or nominate another eligible candidate who you feel would be a valuable asset to our organization. Eligibility: • Board members must be current members of RTI and willing to sustain their membership through the course of their term as board member.... RTI Nomination Form 2013-14 Modified 9.27.13.doc

Chair Position Opening at Fresno

From Nancy Nisbet via the ATRAnet: ATRAnet Listserv Dear Colleagues: The Faculty in the Department of Recreation Administration at California State University, Fresno, are pleased to invite applications for Department Chair/Community Recreation Professor (I encourage recreation therapy faculty to look at the job description, it fits!). The job description can be found at http://jobs.csufresno.edu/. Click on 'new and returning applicants' and look for 'community recreation' on the list. I will be attending the ATRA conference if anyone would like to meet with me to discuss the position. I can be reached at nancyni@csufresno.edu. Dr. Jason Whiting will be attending the NRPA conference and will make himself available to meet with any interested individuals as well. His contact information is: jawhiting@csufresno.edu Please share with your colleagues and feel free to make nominations (we are more than happy to follow up with these individuals). _____________ Nancy Nisbett Associate Professor and Chair Department of Recreation Administration 5310 N. Campus Drive M/S PH103 Fresno, CA 93740 559.278.7886 559.278.5267 (Fax) nancyni@csufresno.edu

Where Will Ph.D.s Come From?

Seeing the two recent announcements of faculty position openings at Georgia Southern and South Alabama reminded me of the shorage of RTs with Ph.D.s. I believe there are only four universities today that have Ph.D. programs in RT. I sure hope those in our profession (University leaders where are you?)begin to realize the situation and take action to assure we have top scholars available to serve in RT faculty positions.

More on Making Professional Connections

In the American Nurse Today article that I mentioned in yesterday's post, there was a list of ways to make more connections. In this post, I want to share the first three on the list: (1) join porfessional organizations; (2) attend professional meetings; and (3) serve on committees. All good ideas for RTs.

Top of the List -- Joining Professional Organizations

I read an article ("Making Professional Connections") in the American Nurse Today. At the top of the list titled 'Expanding Your Network" was to Join professional organizations. I couldn't help wonder why more RTs don't join their state organization and ATRA because these are wonderful means to make professsional connections and to develop as a therapist.

National Yoga Month

Did you know that September is National Yoga Month?

RTI Call for Conference Presentations

Call for Presentations Recreation Therapists of Indiana Conference 2013 We are gearing up for our annual conference, and we are still seeking students and professionals to be presenters for our upcoming conference on November 14 & 15 at the Bridgewater Club in Carmel, Indiana. The RTI Board is reaching out to you for your support in making this a successful conference. If you are interested in speaking, please refer to the 'Call for Presentations' attachment below for details on submitting your presentation proposal. RTI 2013 call for presentations.docx Please forward this information on to your non-member fellow RT's or students who may be interested in sharing their unique ideas and strategies at our conference. All presenters receive a 50% discount on their conference registration fee. Presentation proposals will now be accepted through September 29 (previously September 27). If you have any concerns, questions, or special requests pertaining to your presentation proposal, please contact the RTI President, Mandy McQueeney, at recreationaltherapy@meaningfuldays.net.

471 now on ATRAnet

In posting a reminder about the publication of the 7th edition of my book, Therapeutic Recreation Processes and Techniques, I discovered there are now 471 who subscribe to ATRAnet. This is the highest number I can recall being on ATRAnet.

Faculty Opening

Via ATRAnet Listserv THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND LEISURE STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH ALABAMA invites applications for an Assistant Professor, tenure-track faculty position in Therapeutic Recreation starting as soon as January 1, 2014 but no later than August 15, 2014. Applicants must have an earned doctorate in Therapeutic Recreation or a related Leisure Studies discipline. ABDs near completion of the degree will be considered. Preference will be given to applicants with professional practitioner experience and NCTRC certification required. Details are attached. Review of applicants’ materials will begin November 1, 2013 and continue until the position is filled. The University of South Alabama is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions - ebroach@southalabama.edu . -- Dr. Ellen Broach, CTRS, ATRIC Associate Professor, Therapeutic Recreation Department of HPELS University of South Alabama Mobile, AL 36688 251-460-7131

NCRTA Annual Conference was Great

I really enjoyed keynoting the North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association Annual Conference this morning. It was wonderful to see so many old friends and to meet several IU alumns. NCRTA is a vital association. It is great to see RT doing so well in NC!

Call for Presentations

Call for Presenters Pacific Northwest American Therapeutic Recreation Association Annual Conference Friday, January 24, 2014 Good Samaritan Hospital, Portland, Oregon Greetings! The Board of Directors for the Pacific Northwest Chapter Affiliate of the American Therapeutic Recreation Association invites submissions to present at our upcoming annual conference Friday, January 24, 2014 at Legacy Good Samaritan Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. This conference provides annual continuing education and networking opportunities for CTRSs in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Conference Theme: “Development in the Field of Recreational Therapy” Presentation Topic Suggestions: Creative presentations that will assist Recreation Therapist to promote themselves and the field of Recreation Therapy in the state of Oregon. Suggested themes for development include: fiscal, personal, programs, professional, leadership, skills, clients, evidence based practice, and legislature. Last year our theme was about the future of Recreation Therapy. This year we want to have presentations that will show us how to get there. Presentation Submission Deadline: Friday, October 11, 2013 Proposal Requirements: • Presenter biography and contact information including address, phone, and email. • Presentation description including three measurable learning objectives and how the presentation fits the theme of the conference. • Presentation outline including length of presentation. • Audio/visual needs list • Submit any requests for accommodations, travel, presentation support, or speaking stipends. Special Considerations: Web-based presentations will be considered and are strongly encouraged. Proposal Submission: For questions and proposal submissions, please send required proposal documents to Andy Fernandez, PNWATRA President at pnwatra@gmail.com.

Faculty Opening a Georgia Southern

From Brent D. Wolfe, PhD, CTRS: Georgia Southern University’s School of Human Ecology invites applications for the Assistant or Associate Professor of Recreation and Tourism Management position. The position requires teaching, service, and research responsibilities as well as a terminal degree. The full text advertisement, including information about the department, faculty, and the complete position announcement with all qualifications and application instructions, is available at http://chhs.georgiasouthern.edu/employment/ . Screening of applications begins October 16, 2013, and continues until the position is filled. Georgia is an open records state. Georgia Southern is an AA/EO institution. Individuals who need reasonable accommodations under the ADA to participate in the search process should contact the Associate Provost. Please feel free to pass this announcement on to other colleagues who might be interested. I will be at the ATRA Conference in Pittsburgh for individuals who would like to talk more about this opportunity. Brent Brent D. Wolfe, PhD, CTRS Associate Professor of Recreational Therapy Georgia Southern University PO Box 8057 Statesboro, GA 30460

RT Opening in Westchester NY

Apply online at http://careers.acrm.org/jobs/5625794.32 Rehabilitation Specialist - Recreation Therapist Preferred in Westchester, New York Hourly Rate: Open Type: Full Time - Experienced Rehabilitation Specialist - Recreation Therapist Preferred Full Time and Per Diem Opportunities Available NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division is the first psychiatric hospital to be granted Planetree designation, joining just 16 institutions worldwide. We're the #1-ranked behavioral health department in the metropolitan New York area, and #5 in the nation (U.S. News & World Report). Patients and caregivers simultaneously experience the peace and beauty of a retreat-like campus and the vast resources of a major university hospital. Our world-renowned behavioral health facility offers top clinicians the chance to make real advances in research and therapy. Here, we deliver quality care - and patients recover quality of life. You can help make it possible. We are seeking an experienced and skilled psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialist to work with various patient populations at our Westchester Division. In this role, you will provide functional assessments, develop and lead groups and activities, liaison with educational staff and consult on occupational therapy needs. You will function as a member of a close-knit interdisciplinary team. Bachelor's Degree Required (Master's preferred). Certtified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist CTRS preferred. #1 in New York. #7 in the Nation. - U.S.News & World Report, "America's Best Hospitals 2012"

RT Position in Home Based Therapy

From Heather 'Hartman' Sedletzeck RT Solutions, Inc. is seeking a CTRS to provide home based therapy for individuals with developmental disabilities in Vigo and the surrounding counties. The right candidate would be a self starter who is organized and who likes to think "outside the box". If you are interested, please forward your resume & salary requirements to heatherctrs@bizma.rr.com

Activity Therapist Position Opening in OK

I have a full time position open for activity therapist to service a soon to be opened Senior Adult and our current Adult Psych unit at Midwest Regional Medical Center in Midwest City OK . This position is currently posted on the hospital web site. Sometimes the Application process in this system can be confusing/difficult so would also welcome any direct contact to my office number listed below. Please post this position anywhere that interested parties might see it. Thank you. Lenora Rigsby RN, BSN, MHR Clinical Director Behavioral Health Units Midwest Regional Medical Center Phone 405 610 -8273 lenora.rigsby@hma.com

RT Opening in Montana

Position Title: Recreation Therapist *Applications must be received by Midnight Mountain Time on the closing date. Listing Number:11027-13F6 For more information contact: State Agency: Public Health and Human Services Montana State Hospital PO Box 300 Warm Springs, MT 59756 Phone:(406)693-7031 Fax:(406)693-7059 TTY:(406)693-7022 E-mail:tthun@mt.gov or jevans@mt.gov - OR - Local Montana Job Service Workforce Position Number(s): 69131712 Openings: 1 Location(s): Warm Springs Job Status: Full-Time Permanent Shift: Varied Shifts Date Posted: 9/3/2013 Closing Date: Department: Public Health and Human Services Division: AMDD Bureau: Montana State Hospital Union: MEA/MFT Bargaining Unit: 024

More Needed on Video Games

I read in the newspaper this morning about a study of video games helping to "sharpen older brains." The review of research I did for my new book, Therapeutic Recreation Processes and Techniques, showed promising but inclusive results for the therapeutic use of video games. I would like to see more RTs publish about their use of video games.

Instructor's Guide & PowerPoints for TR Processes and Techniques

I just reviewed the Instructor’s Guide and PowerPoint slides for the 7th edition of Therapeutic Recreation Processes and Techniques – and I am very pleased with both the Guide and slides that Sagamore Publishing is making available to those adopting the book. The Instructor’s Guide is the most extensive ever produced for the book. Its 73 pages contain scores of learning activities and 170 multiple-choice questions. Two sets of PowerPoint slides are available. One set of 60 slides contains all tables and figures found in the book. The second set is made up of 316 slides on a wide variety of topics covered within the book. Thus, instructors will have access to more than 375 PowerPoint slides, as well as ideas on how the slides may be employed within suggested classroom learning activities.