JOB TITLE: FORENSIC THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES WORKER

JOB CODE: 31385

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Forensic Therapeutic Activities job series describes work in developing, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic activities programs as part of an overall treatment and rehabilitation plan for individuals residing in state operated correctional or forensic psychiatric facilities.

DEFINITION: This is professional work in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating therapeutic activities programs to improve, enhance, and retain participants’ highest levels of personal, psychosocial, and physical functioning and rehabilitation.

An employee in this job collaborates with multi-disciplinary treatment teams for the purpose of developing the therapeutic segments of individual treatment plans, including activities that overlap or combine various aspects of therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, or vocational adjustment services. Work involves performing assessments of functioning levels, strengths, and needs to develop specific goals and objectives for individuals; developing and selecting therapeutic activities to meet those needs; conducting, overseeing, and monitoring the delivery of activities in individual and group settings; conducting ongoing reviews and evaluations of individual needs and progress toward achieving program goals; and adapting therapeutic activities as needed. An important aspect of the work is the responsibility for the care, custody, and control of forensic patients or inmates with a mental disability while they are participating in activities programs. Work may also include training, supervising, or directing forensic security employees, other non-professional employees, and volunteers in the facilitation and conduct of individual and group activities. Work is performed independently under general supervision and is reviewed through observation, conferences, and reports for quality and achievement of therapeutic activities program goals.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Collaborates with multi-disciplinary treatment teams to design therapeutic activities segments of individual treatment plans.

• Assesses individuals’ strengths and needs using assessment tools, interviews, interest surveys, care plan reviews, and other methods to develop and modify treatment goals and objectives.

• Performs ongoing evaluations of individuals’ progress toward program goals and adapts activities to meet their changing needs.

• Conducts therapeutic program sessions in a variety of program areas such as self-care skills, activities of daily living, physical restorative activities, pre-vocational activities, recreation, socialization, sensory awareness, leisure activities, community trips, etc.

• Monitors and evaluates therapeutic program sessions through observation and reports to determine quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting individuals’ needs.

• Provides, or actively assists in providing, care, custody, and control of individuals during activities programs or while on the unit.

• Trains and supervises or directs forensic security employees, volunteers, and other nonprofessional facility staff in the conduct of individual and group therapeutic activities.

• Coordinates scheduling of space, equipment, and staff for therapeutic activities within assigned areas and integrates scheduling with other clinical services.

• Maintains administrative and clinical records, and requisitions supplies and equipment needed for therapeutic activities.

• Ensures activities areas are free of hazards and instructs individuals, employees, and assigned volunteers in safety practices and precautions in using supplies and equipment.

• May conduct in-service training for aides, volunteers, and other facility staff.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the theory and principles of therapeutic activities disciplines, such as therapeutic recreation; occupational therapy; vocational adjustment services; or art, music, or dance therapies, used in the treatment and rehabilitation of individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities.

• Knowledge of behavioral, rehabilitative, and developmental principles and practices, and their application to daily living situations.

• Knowledge of medical terminology relevant to recreational therapy, occupational therapy, and vocational therapy.

• Knowledge of the types and specifications of equipment and supplies needed for therapeutic activities, and their proper care and maintenance.

• Ability to identify individual recreational, vocational, or social needs based on assessment, observation, and communication.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• A bachelor’s degree with major course work in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation; vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field;

or

• Four years of experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.