Recreational Therapist - CONTINUOUS

Job Title

Recreational Therapist I – CONTINUOUS (250005Y4)

The Massachusetts Veterans Home at Chelsea, a state operated agency offering long-term care and independent living for veterans, seeks individuals to support recreational programming tailored to residents’ diverse needs. This role involves encouraging resident participation in individual or group activities, planning and overseeing events such as bingo, musical entertainment, movies, and reminiscence groups, and providing one‑on‑one interaction at bedside, in units, or outdoors.

Responsibilities also include procuring supplies, managing attendance and expenditure records, and collaborating with family members, veterans, civic organizations, and volunteers to enhance activity programs.

• Motivates residents to participate in recreation activities for those functioning at various levels of impairment.
• Maintains attendance records of patient participation in activities.
• Assists with planning, organizing and running daily activities; supervises group activities, such as bingo, musical entertainment, movies, reminiscence groups.
• Provides one‑to‑one visits to clients at bedside, in unit, as well as outdoors.
• Assists with purchasing of activity supplies, decorations and paper goods and other supplies as needed.
• Works with family members, veterans, and civic organizations at various recreation activities.
• Assists with record keeping and accounting of activity expenditures.
• Reports and discusses observations of patient participation in activities to supervisor as part of interdisciplinary process.
• Maintains CPR certification.
• Transports patients to activities while promoting a safe environment.
• Performs related duties as required.

• Ability to work with adult and geriatric veteran population.
• Knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures related to activity programs.
• Ability to work with volunteers, veterans and civic organizations and those assigned to resident detail.

• Ability to assist supervisor to coordinate programs in order to enlist and provide sponsors, volunteers.
• Ability to train, direct and supervise volunteers.
• Ability to prepare activity reports, log patient participation and expenditures, and distribute flyers and memos as needed.
• Ability to discuss and evaluate patient performance.
• Knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures related to activity programs.
• Gains skill in working with adult and geriatric population in long term care setting.

As a condition of employment, depending on job assignment and location, employees may be required to have received COVID‑19 vaccination and/or other vaccinations, or to have been approved for a vaccination exemption prior to their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment.

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://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Qualifications:

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) two years of full‑time, or equivalent part‑time, technical or professional experience in planning, organizing, instituting or conducting therapeutic recreation services in a recognized public or private agency, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience in the substitution below. Substitutions: I. A Bachelor’s or higher degree with a major in recreation, recreation education, creative arts therapy or therapeutic recreation may be substituted for the required experience.

Special Requirements:
Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

Salary: $49,953.02 –…