RT Blog

Name:
Location: Indiana, United States

I became a Professor Emeritus after serving 29 years as a recreational therapy faculty member at Indiana University. I'm a long-time Hoosier, having grown up in Hanover, Indiana. My RT practitioner work was in psych/mental health. After completing my Ph.D. at the University of Illinois, my first faculty position was at the University of North Texas. RT has been a wonderful profession for me as I have had the opportunity to serve as an author and national leader.

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

RT Position on Memory Unit

Full Time Job Opening at Sholom West Campus in St. Louis Park, MN in our 3rd Floor Memory Care Neighborhood Please go to sholom.com and click on the careers tab to check out the information for the position. Therapeutic Recreation Specialist plans, organizes, facilitates and evaluates Therapeutic Recreation programs provided to meet the social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual needs for each resident/tenant. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES 1) Plan, organize, facilitate and evaluate Therapeutic Recreation programs. 40% a. Create Therapeutic Recreation programs to address residents’/tenants’ social, emotional, physical, cognitive and spiritual needs related to maintaining quality of life when. b. Create monthly calendar capturing 6 dimensions of wellness; printed and posted a minimum of 1 day prior to the end of the month. 2) Serve as a resource for residents, tenants and families. 25% a. Meet and greet all new tenants and complete initial therapeutic recreation assessment as needed. b. Conduct a recreation and leisure interest survey as appropriate. 3) Participate as a member of a multi-disciplinary team to assess and address resident/tenant needs in a consistent cross-disciplinary manner. 15% a. Communicate with the Environmental Services department for desired set-up of space used for programs or events as appropriate. b. Communicate with the Nutritional Services department for all special food and beverage requests for programs and events. 4) Create and maintain a variety of documents, records and reports including: 10% a. Complete all necessary paperwork and documentation ensuring compliance with Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 as needed. b. Create easy to follow step-by-step instructions of all activities for others to follow when assisting with programming. 5) Work with the Department Manager to stay within the assigned budget. 5% a. Communicate and track costs for all supplies/materials, special programs and events, etc. 6) Work with the therapeutic recreation team in scheduling campus wide programs and events. 5% a. Assist with scheduling musical entertainment and other performances, weekend special events, luncheons, dinners, community outings, etc. b. Secure community support for off-site outings including making reservations, ordering tickets, etc. SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES Perform miscellaneous projects and complete various tasks as requested by management.

Monday, August 29, 2016

RT Opening at Valle Vista

Valle Vista Health System is a free-standing, full-service provider of behavioral health and addiction treatment services. We offer treatment for psychiatric disorders as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation and detoxification services. We have offered treatment for children, adolescents and adults since 1983. Valle Vista offers a full continuum of care including day or evening outpatient services, intensive outpatient services, partial hospitalization, residential treatment and acute inpatient services. The Skills Development Specialist serves to provide training and education for patients in skill development that will help them to improve their behavioral functioning. The position has contact on a regular and continual basis with patients. Requirements Education/Licensure: Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy or related field. Experience: Previous experience providing educational groups and working with behavioral health and chemical dependency patients required. Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) is one of the nation's largest and most respected health care management companies, operating through its subsidiaries acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities and ambulatory centers nationwide. Founded in 1978, UHS subsidiaries now have more than 65,000 employees. The UHS business strategy is to build or purchase health care properties in rapidly growing markets and create a strong franchise based on exceptional service and effective cost control. Our success comes from a responsive management style and a service philosophy based on integrity, competence and compassion. If you have any questions, you can contact: Eric Wigand Recreational Therapist Ph. 800.447.1348 Please send resumes to: Eric.wigand@uhsinc.com

Friday, August 26, 2016

B-town One of Best College Towns

I just saw on MSN that Bloomington (home of Indiana University) has been named one of the "Best College Towns in America."

Monday, August 15, 2016

New RT Management Book

I am proud to announce the publication of a new book, Management Funcions in Recreational Therapy. It coauthored by me,Bryan P. McCormick, and Marieke Van Puymbroeck. The book is published by Sagamore Publishing. For information on the book go to http://www.sagamorepub.com/products/management-functions-recreational-therapy