Recreation Therapist, Correctional Facility
California State Personnel Board Specification
Schematic Code: TR54
Class Code: 9286
Established: 06/15/1993
Revised: --
Title Changed: --
Definition
Under general direction, in a State correctional facility in the Department of Corrections, develop and implement a recreation therapy program; to maintain order and supervise the conduct of inmates; to protect and maintain the safety of persons and property; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Leads, instructs, and encourages patients in a program of individual and group activities of a physical, social, and cultural nature such as indoor and outdoor games and sports, dance, parties, dramatics, and special interest clubs; supervises entertainments and movies and assists in planning programs for special occasions; with the therapeutic team, plans treatment goals for specific patients; assists in coordinating recreation therapy with other therapeutic programs; as assigned, coordinates the activities program of a group of patients including simple crafts, games, social and musical activities, and instructs unit personnel in basic activity skills; observes patients' reactions and progress and records clinical notes to be included in medical files and prepares reports; orders supplies and equipment and cares for equipment and facilities; maintains order and supervises the conduct of persons committed to the California Department of Corrections; prevents escapes and injury by these persons to themselves, others or to property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches inmates for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to graduation from a recognized college with major work in recreation or recreation therapy. The major must have included supervised field work. (Registration as a senior will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent and completion of the required field work before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Theory and practice of mental and physical rehabilitation of mentally, physically and developmentally disabled persons; therapeutic principles and techniques of group and individual activities used in recreation therapy, and skill in their application; various types of recreation and entertainment activities and providing leadership of these activities; basic pathology of diseases and disabilities resulting in psychological, physical or organic conditions of the patient.
Ability to: Provide leadership of various types of recreation and entertainment activities; interpret recreation therapy activities to staff, health care providers, patients, and others; teach others basic activity skills; prepare reports and records to be included in medical files; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; establish and maintain cooperative interrelationships with individuals and groups.
Special Personal Characteristics
Empathetic understanding of patients of a State correctional facility including physically, mentally and developmentally disabled persons; willingness to work in a State correctional facility; alertness; keenness of observation; tact; patience; and emotional stability.
Special Physical Characteristics
Persons appointed to this position must be reasonably expected to have and maintain sufficient strength, agility and endurance to perform during stressful (physical, mental and emotional) situations encountered on the job without compromising their health and well- being or that of their fellow employees or that of inmates.
Assignments may include sole responsibility for the supervision of inmates and/or the protection of personal and real property.
