Activities Therapist

The Position

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This is a continuous filing exam. The next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:
12/26/23, 3/26/24, 6/26/24, 9/26/24, 12/26/24
Under direction, the Activities Therapist plans and performs therapeutic rehabilitation activities and functional life skills assessments for patients with a psychiatric or co-occurring disorder by using the principles and practices of recreation therapy. Activities Therapists work as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team.

Examples of Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Principles and techniques of recreation therapy as applies in an acute care psychiatric facility
• Basic characteristics of mental and emotional disorders, appropriate assessment techniques for planning and delivering recreation therapy services
• A variety of individual and group facilitation techniques
  principles and techniques of recreation therapy as applies in an acute care psychiatric facility
• Basic medical and psychiatric terminology
• Basic regulations governing the treatment of people in psychiatric health facilities.
• Principles and practices of community mental health, with emphasis in the interrelationship between public and community agencies in a coordinated service delivery system

Ability to

• Conceptualize and plan appropriate recreation therapy programs for patients with mental disabilities
• Adapt treatment programs by graduating tasks to meet patient's level of function
• Work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary treatment team
• Use basic medical and psychiatric terminology
• Lead and instruct patients in recreational and social activities
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Employment Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

License Certificate Registration Requirement:

1. *Current certification as a Recreation Therapist by either the
(a) California Board of Recreation and Park Certification, or
(b) National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

OR
2. *Current license as an Occupational Therapist by the Occupational Therapy Board of California.
OR
3. *, **Completion of a bachelor's degree program that meets the requirements for a Recreation Therapist certificate issued by either the
(a) Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification; or
(b) National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
OR
4. *, **Completion of a bachelor's degree program that meets the requirements for an Occupational Therapist license issued by the Occupational Therapy Board of California.

*Note: Failure to maintain the appropriate certification or registration may constitute cause for dismissal from the class under applicable Civil Service Rules.

**Note: Failure to obtain the required certificate or license within six months from the appointment date constitute cause for dismissal from the class under applicable Civil Service Rules.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the cut-off date listed in this notice.

General Qualifications

Criminal History and Background Check: The County will access criminal history information on all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of appointment for the above job class consistent with the provisions of Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 82-602, Personnel Policies and Procedure, and applicable federal and state law. The County shall not consider for employment any candidate who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor that relates to or impacts the candidate's ability to perform the job duties of this class unless it is determined that mitigating circumstances exist. For purposes of accessing criminal history information, the candidate will be fingerprinted. A subsequent arrest notification may be obtained.

The County will also conduct a background check on the candidate prior to appointment to a position within the class. The background check may include personal and professional references checks, credit history check, Social Security Number verification, professional license/registration verification, military service information and driving history. Information obtained in the course of this background check will be considered by the appointing authority in the selection process. In obtaining such information, the County will comply with applicable consent and disclosure practices in the Fair Credit Reporting Act and the California Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act.

Child and Elder Abuse Reporting: Persons selected for employment must, as a condition of employment, sign a statement agreeing to comply with Section 11166 and 11160 of the California Penal Code relating to child and elder abuse reporting.

Probationary Period

The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.