Recreation Therapist

Provides both leadership and assistance in planning, implementing, and administering the activity program for an acute care, inpatient psychiatric unit. Participates as a member of a multidisciplianry treatment team and is under the general supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor.

• Meets daily with treatment team to evaluate patient progress, and to determine or modify general treatment objectives and plans.


• Participates, faciliates, and/or provides regularly in group therapy, individual therapy, and occasionally as co-therapist or co-lead in couples and family conferences.


• Provides daily records of participation in activities for each patient.


• Participates in creation of an environment which promotes self-awareness, open communication, mutual respect, and opportunities for all to make their unique contributions to the patient-staff community.


• Support provider-designed plans such as relaxation techniques, including collaborating with providers on shared cases.


• Collaborates with the Activity Therapy Supervisor in establishing departmental philosophy, standards, long-term objectives, and in designing basic program components.


• Assists in preparation and administration of annual budget.


• Establishes and implements policies and procedures to insure safety, effectiveness and economy in activity program operation.


• Plans, organizes, and leads daily group activities such as awareness and communication exercises, body awareness, movement, music, art therapy, drama therapy, outings, cooking, sports and games.


• Trains and supervises nursing personnel, occupational and recreation therapy interns.


• May include responsibiltiies of being in compliant with regulatory requirements, including but not limited to documentation of processes, procedures, and notes of therapy sessons and activities that help improve patients well-being and quality standard of the department.


• Kaiser Permanente conducts compensation reviews of positions on a routine basis.  At any time, Kaiser Permanente reserves the right to reevaluate and change job descriptions, or to change such positions from salaried to hourly pay status.  Such changes are generally implemented only after notice is given to affected employees.

Secondary Functions:

• Exact work hours and schedule will be determined and after hours may be required.