Recreational Therapist Key Responsibilities:
- Comprehensive Student Assessments & Tailored IEP Recommendations: Expertly assess Special Education students' recreational needs, identifying key opportunities for recreation therapy and leisure education. Offer strategic, goal-oriented recommendations for each student's Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and actively participate in IEP meetings to ensure personalized support.
- Innovative Therapeutic Strategies for Goal Attainment: Design and implement cutting-edge therapeutic interventions tailored to individual student needs, ensuring effective progress toward academic, physical, and recreational goals.
- Holistic Program Development for Life Skills: Develop and continuously refine dynamic instructional programs focused on enhancing students' physical, social, cognitive, and emotional skills. Empower students to achieve independence in recreation and leisure activities, fostering lifelong confidence and self-sufficiency.
- Active Participation in Collaborative IEP Teams: Attend and contribute to IEP and team meetings, providing comprehensive documentation of student assessments, progress, and goal attainment. Ensure seamless integration of recreational services into students' educational plans through detailed progress reports.
- Future-Focused Transition Planning: Lead the development of Individualized Transition Plans (ITP), identifying crucial recreational and leisure goals that support community integration, independent living, and personalized development of skills, interests, and abilities.
- Strong Communication & Collaborative Support: Serve as a key liaison between school personnel, parents, and external agencies, fostering open communication to ensure a shared understanding of student progress, assessment outcomes, and evolving needs in recreational services.
- Strategic Recommendations for Inclusive Recreation Opportunities: Assess school-based recreation programs and make strategic recommendations for the inclusion of students with disabilities, enhancing equitable access to inclusive, diverse, and engaging recreational activities for all students.
Recreational Therapist Qualifications:
- 2+ Years Experience providing recreational therapy in schools, medical centers, hospitals, and agencies.
- Certified as CTRS or RTC.
- Strong Knowledge of school recreational therapy principles, IDEA, and Special Education programs.
- Expert in Student Development across recreational, intellectual, social, and emotional areas.
- Skilled in Therapeutic Techniques and using/maintaining therapy materials.
- Professional and capable of representing LAUSD and the field of therapy with integrity.
- Effective Communicator with students, parents, and staff.
- Culturally Competent in working with diverse backgrounds.
- Physically & Mentally Fit for the role per Education Code Section 44839.
Recreational Therapist Physical Demands
- Safe Lifting & Student Support: Skilled in safely lifting, maneuvering, and positioning students, with or without assistance, using specialized equipment as needed.
- Efficient Mobility & Equipment Use: Proficient in using equipment to support or transport disabled or injured students, while maintaining full mobility across the work site.
- Frequent Physical Activity: Regularly engages in tasks such as reaching, handling, standing, walking, and lifting, with or without reasonable accommodations, ensuring continuous support for students.
This job description reflects essential functions and may be adjusted as needed. PQI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other classification protected by law.
