Recreation Therapist (Gulfport, MS) Position Available In Harrison, Mississippi

Recreation Therapist (Gulfport, MS) 
Salary $31,111.11•$42,466.67 Annually Location 24•HARRISON

COUNTY, MS

Job Type Full-Time Job Number 9272-0374-20250416HN Department 0374•MH-MS

STATE HOSPITAL

Opening Date 04/17/2025 Closing Date 4/23/2025 11:59 PM Central Agency Minimum Salary $31,111.11 Agency Maximum Salary $42,466.67 About the Agency The mission of Specialized Treatment Facility (STF) is to promote and strengthen the mental health and the education of up to 48 adolescent males and females who are experiencing behavioral difficulties in their homes, schools, and communities. Employees are charged with the responsibility of furthering STF’s mission by exhibiting the core values that are at its heart: Teamwork, Respect, Compassion, Integrity, and Safety. Specialized Treatment Facility employs milieu therapy as the foundation for the treatment of its residents. Milieu therapy is a planned treatment environment in which everyday events and interactions are therapeutically designed for the purpose of enhancing social skills and building confidence. This therapy uses common structures familiar to all children, such as daily routines, consistent rules and activities. The Recreation staff are immediately supervised by the Therapeutic Therapist Team Lead (Supervisor). Contact Human Resources for more information (228)328-6000. About the Position Recreation staff are the first-level direct care position accountable for supervising the residents at STF in the recreation department. They provide supervision to residents in all recreational activities and across the campus as appropriate for the individual and the setting/activity to ensure safety and therapeutic goals are met. Recreation and sports promote development and healing for residents with mental and behavioral health challenges. Play offers residents multiple benefits for mental health and physical development. Through play with peers and counselors, residents are able to build trust and positive relationships with others. The residents are encouraged to partake in developmentally-appropriate activities. These activities allow residents to play and learn at their own pace. They also engage in structured skill-building to develop coping mechanisms that work for them. Recreation is incorporated into the resident’s daily schedules to match their individualized therapy. Activities are led by trained staff to meet the needs of each child. Responsibilities and Duties Recreation staff adhere to MS State, MS DMH, and STF policies and procedures while performing their job. Recreation staff participate in continuous learning. Recreation staff will provide instructions for residents and staff to engage, complete, or assist in scheduled activities. Recreation staff will encourage non-participating residents to keep score or referee games engaged in by participating residents or assist other duties correlating with the activity. Recreation staff plan, schedule, implement, and coordinate off campus outings and weekend activities according to Recreation’s policy and plan appropriate events, activities, and outings for each level earned. Recreation staff communicate with Resident Living Leadership about planned weekend activities and provide equipment according to the activity calendar. Recreation staff maintain the cleanliness of the gymnasium and ensure the equipment is good working order. Requisitions and supervises maintenance and care of recreational equipment. Supervises recreational building activities. Makes careful observations of residents and their reactions while participating in recreational activities. Assists in analyzing current programs and makes decisions relative to future activities. Maintains certifications in MANDT, CPR and first aid. Maintains a valid driver license and liability insurance to be a driver of a state vehicle. All STF employees are responsible for reading, understanding, and adhering to all policies, protocols, and memorandums. Universal Precautions and Infection Control policies must be adhered by all STF employees. Universal precautions were designed for doctors, nurses, patients, and healthcare workers who came into contact with patients and their bodily fluids. All healthcare workers are responsible for all aspects of care for the residents served at STF. Residential staff and Nurses must abide by standard precautions which applies to the care of all patients, irrespective of their disease state. These precautions apply when there is a risk of potential exposure to (1) blood; (2) all body fluids, secretions, and excretions, except sweat, regardless of whether or not they contain visible blood; (3) non-intact skin, and (4) mucous membranes. This includes hand hygiene and personal protective equipment (PPE), with hand hygiene being the single most important means to prevent transmission of disease. Personal protective equipment serves as a barrier to protect the skin, mucous membranes, airway, and clothing. It includes gowns, gloves, masks, and face shields or goggles. What you’ll need to be Successful Coping skills, which help people manage stress and anxiety without turning to substances. Skills in the use of relaxation skills, which help people relax or deal with stress without turning to substances. Skilled in problem-solving, which are required for activities such as playing a game or drawing a picture. Recreation therapists require several essential skills, including passion for recreation, creativity, adaptability, and leadership. Recreational therapy includes providing treatment services and recreation activities to individuals using a variety of techniques. Soft skills required for a therapeutic recreation assistant include communication skills, flexibility, and physical strength. Soft skills required for a therapeutic recreation specialist include compassion, listening skills, and speaking skills. Ability to coordinate team members so that plans and reviews are finalized according to policy/standards Preferred Qualifications Typically requires a bachelor’s degree and 3-4 years of experience.

Hiring agency preferred qualifications:

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 3-4 years of experience in recreation or recreation therapy.

DESCRIPTION

BENEFITS
QUESTIONS
Characteristics of Work See MSPB Careers for information regarding this classifications Employer
State of Mississippi