Therapeutic Recreation Leader
City of Alexandria, Virginia, Alexandria, VA, United States
The City of Alexandria is in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of more than 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for the following position.
Therapeutic Recreation Leader The work of this role involves creating, implementing, and leading therapeutic recreational programs for older adults with physical, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities; recognizing emergencies and other health‑threatening conditions for participants at the Adult Day Services Center. The position provides assistance with personal hygiene, physical and cognitive activities, and social interactions. The leader creates and implements behavior treatment plans, communicates concerns, and makes recommendations regarding participants' behavioral problems to the direct supervisor, center nurse, and center director. The incumbent plans and implements program goals and objectives, initiates program activities based on the varied interests and needs of participants, and works independently, consulting the supervisor when necessary. This work is performed under the general direction of a Therapeutic Recreation Manager.
What You Should Bring The ideal candidate should have good knowledge of the social and recreational sciences, including the theory, principles, and practices of therapeutic activities; familiarity with implementing activities in an adult day care program setting; knowledge of the aging process; ability to relate to frail and/or impaired older adults and adults with disabilities; strong interpersonal skills; effective communication both orally and in writing with participants, caregivers, and co‑workers; skill in breaking activities down into recreation skill levels that meet participants' needs; and the ability to plan and present creative therapeutic activities for older adults. All employees must complete and sign the Essential Job Functions sheet.
Opportunity
Plan and lead daily therapeutic recreational activities.
Provide direct care to physically and cognitively impaired participants, including toileting and changing soiled clothing.
Assist with ambulation, redirect confused and wandering participants, and maintain a safe environment.
Inspect equipment and monitor activities to ensure safety standards are met and guidelines are followed.
Keep accurate documentation of participants’ progress, Medicaid case notes, assessments, and daily attendance records.
Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snack.
Perform housekeeping duties, including kitchen clean‑up, human waste clean‑up, and yearly outdoor garden clean‑up and maintenance.
Record accurate temperatures of catered meal/menu items.
Administer medications to participants in the absence of the Center Nurse, read doctors’ orders, and complete medical administration records.
Complete incident reports in the event of a fall, serious accident, or lost participant.
Perform related work as required.
About The Department The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person‑centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self‑determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders.
Minimum & Additional Requirements Two‑Year College Degree; good knowledge of the social and recreational sciences, including the theory, principles, and practices of therapeutic recreation; or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities; ability to acquire appropriate certification in CPR and First Aid within the first three months of employment; completion of a minimum 40‑hour training program consistent with Department of Medical Assistance Services requirement or Nursing Assistant Certification; possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence; pre‑employment drug test; criminal records check; and TB test.
Preferred Qualifications At least one year of experience in therapeutic recreation, preferably in a community recreation setting or a directly related field working with older adults and persons with disabilities; completion of college‑level courses in recreation or gerontology including therapeutic recreation; or acquisition of appropriate certification from the National Certification Council for Activities Professionals.
Notes This position requires the successful completion of pre‑employment background checks, including: Criminal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; Drug screening and TB test.
Schedule Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Hours will be determined with supervisor.
Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, marital status, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.
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Therapeutic Recreation Leader The work of this role involves creating, implementing, and leading therapeutic recreational programs for older adults with physical, cognitive, and intellectual disabilities; recognizing emergencies and other health‑threatening conditions for participants at the Adult Day Services Center. The position provides assistance with personal hygiene, physical and cognitive activities, and social interactions. The leader creates and implements behavior treatment plans, communicates concerns, and makes recommendations regarding participants' behavioral problems to the direct supervisor, center nurse, and center director. The incumbent plans and implements program goals and objectives, initiates program activities based on the varied interests and needs of participants, and works independently, consulting the supervisor when necessary. This work is performed under the general direction of a Therapeutic Recreation Manager.
What You Should Bring The ideal candidate should have good knowledge of the social and recreational sciences, including the theory, principles, and practices of therapeutic activities; familiarity with implementing activities in an adult day care program setting; knowledge of the aging process; ability to relate to frail and/or impaired older adults and adults with disabilities; strong interpersonal skills; effective communication both orally and in writing with participants, caregivers, and co‑workers; skill in breaking activities down into recreation skill levels that meet participants' needs; and the ability to plan and present creative therapeutic activities for older adults. All employees must complete and sign the Essential Job Functions sheet.
Opportunity
Plan and lead daily therapeutic recreational activities.
Provide direct care to physically and cognitively impaired participants, including toileting and changing soiled clothing.
Assist with ambulation, redirect confused and wandering participants, and maintain a safe environment.
Inspect equipment and monitor activities to ensure safety standards are met and guidelines are followed.
Keep accurate documentation of participants’ progress, Medicaid case notes, assessments, and daily attendance records.
Prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, and snack.
Perform housekeeping duties, including kitchen clean‑up, human waste clean‑up, and yearly outdoor garden clean‑up and maintenance.
Record accurate temperatures of catered meal/menu items.
Administer medications to participants in the absence of the Center Nurse, read doctors’ orders, and complete medical administration records.
Complete incident reports in the event of a fall, serious accident, or lost participant.
Perform related work as required.
About The Department The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person‑centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self‑determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders.
Minimum & Additional Requirements Two‑Year College Degree; good knowledge of the social and recreational sciences, including the theory, principles, and practices of therapeutic recreation; or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities; ability to acquire appropriate certification in CPR and First Aid within the first three months of employment; completion of a minimum 40‑hour training program consistent with Department of Medical Assistance Services requirement or Nursing Assistant Certification; possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state of residence; pre‑employment drug test; criminal records check; and TB test.
Preferred Qualifications At least one year of experience in therapeutic recreation, preferably in a community recreation setting or a directly related field working with older adults and persons with disabilities; completion of college‑level courses in recreation or gerontology including therapeutic recreation; or acquisition of appropriate certification from the National Certification Council for Activities Professionals.
Notes This position requires the successful completion of pre‑employment background checks, including: Criminal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; Verification of education/certifications; Drug screening and TB test.
Schedule Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week. Hours will be determined with supervisor.
Equal Opportunity Employer The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, marital status, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.
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