State of Utah
Do you love planning and carrying out group recreational activities?
Can you see yourself planning leisure/recreational activities to help treat the mentally ill?
Now offering $4,000 sign on bonus for new full time Licensed Recreational Therapist!!
As a Recreational Therapist at the Utah State Hospital, you will prepare and recommend therapeutic, leisure, and diversionary recreation activities for patients residing at this facility.
Principle Duties
Performs recreational therapy assessments
Implements recreational therapy programs for individual patients
Prepares and recommends therapeutic recreation activities
Develop new ideas and contribute to USH recreational programs
Provide high quality recreation therapy groups
The Ideal Candidate
Has professional experience working with mentally ill patients/clients.
Has professional work experience in a direct patient care setting for mentally ill patients or clients.
Must be licensed as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS) or Master Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (MTRS) with the UTAH Division of Occupational Professional Licensing (DOPL)
If you would like additional information, please contact Julie Varoz, Recreational Director, (801) 344-4400 or (358) 625-6941
Currently, there are openings in the following treatment areas:
Pediatric Unit: Do you have a special interest in working with youth? Our pediatric units treat children and adolescents ages 5 – 18 who have been diagnosed with mental illness. The therapist in this position will conduct recreational therapy assessments, implement therapy programs for patients, and prepare therapeutic recreation activities.
Forensic Unit: Are you interested in the challenge of helping individuals with mental illness who also have criminal charges? The therapist in this position will conduct recreational therapy assessments, implement therapy programs for patients, and prepare therapeutic recreation activities.
Why You Should Join Our Team
In addition to working in a state-of-the-art Psychiatric Hospital with highly skilled clinicians who provide state-of-the-art programming to the individuals we treat, you will receive great health and retirement benefits. We provide generous paid time off so you will have a positive work-life balance. You can find out more about the state benefits offered here .
Joining our team will allow you to teach recreation and leisure skills in a safe and respectful environment to promote hope and quality of life for individuals with mental illness. You will be meeting these needs in a Hospital that is fully accredited from the Joint Commission and Centers for Medicaid and Medicare, certifying the high quality of the Hospital’s environment and treatment programs.
The Agency
Mission Statement
Utah State Hospital provides a safe and healing environment in which all people are treated with dignity and respect. It is our purpose to assist patients to reach their potential, through individualized treatment, with a high value being placed on meeting the needs of each patient in a humanistic, caring and professional manner.
You can find more information about the Utah State Hospital here .
Example of Duties
Acts as a resource to team members, participates in team and professional meetings and gives input as to needs of clients.
Provides documentation of individual client’s treatment indicative of progress or regression to comply with federal requirements.
Supervises therapeutic exercises.
Lead or functionally supervise staff; delegate work assignments, monitor/review quality of work, provide technical assistance or training, and/or provide input on performance appraisal, hiring and discipline.
Typical Qualifications
Is an expert in the field of recreational therapy.
Assess activity needs such as staffing, training, security, etc.
Functionally supervise interns and volunteers.
Coordinate the activities or tasks of people, groups and/or organization(s).
Lead the work of others by monitoring, reviewing, training co-workers and/or delegating work.
Deal with people in a manner which shows sensitivity, tact, and professionalism.
Speak clearly, concisely and effectively; listen to, and understand, information and ideas as presented verbally.
Communicate information and ideas clearly, and concisely, in writing; read and understand information presented in writing.
Observe details at close range and at a distance.
Observe physical conditions, behavior or surroundings for potential areas of concern or inappropriate activity.
Hear sounds that may indicate potential areas of concern or inappropriate activity.
Supplemental Information
Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
Work requires physical exertion. May require the ability to stand; walk over rough surfaces; bend, crouch, stoop, stretch, reach, lift moderately heavy items (up to 50 lbs.) in a recurring manner and/or for long periods of time.
Department of Human Resource Management rules and DHS policies regarding promotions and transfers apply to current employees.
The Utah State Hospital is a smoke free environment. No tobacco use is allowed on campus.
Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview
This position is covered under the Federal CMS COVID-19 vaccination mandate. As a condition of employment, successful candidates must provide proof of complete vaccination against COVID-19 prior to their start date.