Rehab Therapy Tech IV – Texas State Jobs

Position Summary:

Key Responsibilities:

• Attends work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Ensures quality rehabilitation programming is provided to patients on a daily basis that will help to promote a successful return to the community through assisting the Director of Rehabilitation and the Assistant Director of Rehabilitation in screening applicants, interviewing and onboarding qualified Rehabilitation Technicians.
• Facilitates and instructs patients in therapeutic activities, such as interactive games, therapeutic recreation activities, fitness and exercise, swimming skills, sports skills, creative crafts, arts and crafts and team building activities; provides instruction to patients in a variety of courses related to self-care, independent living and character building as evidenced by instructing patients on self-control, ethics, trustworthiness, integrity, fairness, honesty, responsibility, confidence, respect, citizenship, perseverance and tolerance; and teaches patients independent living skills and self-care including, decision making, career planning, finances, maintenance, general health and hygiene, etiquette and manners.
• Provides accurate observation of patients’ behavior and level of participation by reporting and documenting on patients served. Observes patients during scheduled programming and documents level of participation and the patients’ behavior in progress notes.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of the needs of the patients served; observes patients’ behaviors to assess the needs of the group and identifies what therapeutic activities will meet needs; implements workshops and groups on topics that will meet the needs of the patients served; maintains relationships with local colleges to assist in scheduling college visits for clients, as needed; maintains relationships with community resources to assist in scheduling guest speakers that will educate patients; and assists the Assistant Director in ensuring all new Rehabilitation Technicians maintain relationships with community resources and colleges, and schedules college tours and guest speakers on a regular basis.
• Assists the Assistant Director in training Rehabilitation Therapy Technicians in all aspects of their job, and provides guidance as needed.
• Operates a state vehicle and transports patients, as assigned. Ensures the correct number of vans are reserved in a timely fashion for all off-campus trips; completes a thorough vehicle check before departing campus; confirms all staff and patients are safely seated and their seat belts are buckled before leaving campus; and ensures all driving logs are completed according to agency policy.
• Attends meetings and completes special projects and assignments, as directed; attends weekly department team meetings and participates by voicing any concerns and giving feedback; attends case formulations, when needed, to learn the rehabilitation needs, likes and dislikes of all new admissions; attends overlap in the units, when needed, to discuss the current issues and needs of the patients; and organizes and implements special projects (i.e. dances, holiday parties, campus wide celebrations, etc.).
• Ensures equipment and supplies are maintained and replaced as needed; confirms all equipment and supplies used by the rehabilitation department are in good working condition by doing weekly checks; obtains approval for all purchases from the department director; and verifies all new equipment is inventoried and stored appropriately and is properly checked out when needed and checked back in when finished.
• Researches and develops new curriculum and coordinates and obtains approval for planned programming for patients served. Ensures lesson plans are completed and turned in to the director.
• Ensures regular updates are documented to assist in maintaining current treatment planning; provides feedback to the patients’ treatment team coordinator to assist in completing the recovery plan; and meets with the patients’ treatment team coordinator to identify goals for each patient served.

Required Education & Experience:

• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in providing rehabilitation activities and services, and of mental illness and mental disabilities.
• Ability to document progress and behavior appropriately.
• Completion of an Associates degree in the rehabilitation area is preferred.
• Ability to use necessary equipment to carry out rehabilitation activities.
• Ability to instruct and train others.
• Ability to evaluate a patient’s level of participation in programming.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, a current Lifeguard Training Certification.
• Skill in utilizing computer hardware and software.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Graduation from a standard senior high school, or equivalent.
• Knowledge of facility and agency regulations, policies and procedures.
• Minimum of two (2) years’ experience working with people who have mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Skill in the use of equipment, tools and materials used in therapeutic service activities.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of driving licensure. Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
• Ability to interact effectively with patients, family members and staff.