Recreational Therapist - Lake County

Job Title: Recreational Therapist

Pay: Starting at $57.15 per hour

Location: In-Home / Community-Based in Lake County (Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, Hobart, Merrillville, Indiana)

Preferred Availability: daytime, after school hours, and weekends

Overview

Recreational Therapists operate as Independent Contractors with Achieve Behavior Alliance Plus, LLC, and provide individualized, functional, and goal-driven therapeutic services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Achieve is building a network of independent providers who value flexibility, autonomy, and meaningful community-based work. The focus is on helping individuals build skills through leisure, recreation, and community engagement. Services are delivered primarily in home and in community settings, supporting real-life skill development and increased independence.

Services are provided under an Independent Contractor Agreement, and providers are not employees of Achieve Behavior Alliance Plus, LLC. Contractors are required to maintain their own Professional Liability insurance. Because providers are not employees, Achieve does not provide Workers’ Compensation or Unemployment Insurance. Any other insurance coverage that may be applicable is the sole responsibility of the Contractor.

Responsibilities

• Providing one on one recreational therapy with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Serving on the individual’s support team, which may include case managers, family members, interdisciplinary team members, direct care staff, caregivers, and other individuals involved in the person’s care and services.
• Assessing each client’s needs using a standardized recreational therapy assessment and develop treatment plans.
• Outlining services in the Person-Centered Individualized Support Plan.
• Tracking client’s goals and objectives to help prepare reports indicative of progress or regression.
• Using the electronic health/medical record (EHR/EMR) system, document service details (i.e. date, time, location), therapist logs, and/or charts.
• Planning and providing appropriate recreational therapy activities and interventions.
• Providing individual or group recreational therapy services (no more than four (4) in individuals) in the client’s home or other location.
• Encouraging clients to participate in therapy sessions within their local community settings based on their interests, which may include gyms, parks, sporting events, malls, bowling centers, swimming pools, and other community locations.
• Working independently to develop and maintain a caseload and schedule services directly with clients.
• Providing structured activities designed to meet clinical goals.
• Documenting therapy notes and service records in accordance with Indiana Medicaid documentation requirements, which require contemporaneous, detailed records of services provided, including dates, times, and descriptive session information, consistent with HCBS waiver standards.
• Teaching and coaching caregivers, direct care staff, and team members on recreational therapy activities and interventions.
• Carry out responsibilities consistent with 460 IAC 6-3-43 to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate individuals, with the goal of improving functioning, increasing independence, and reducing or eliminating the effects of the individual’s disability.

Physical Requirements

• Standing, walking, bending, twisting, and reaching
• Assisting with client transfers, as needed
• Safely supporting individuals with limited mobility in home and community settings

Requirements

(All costs associated with obtaining and maintaining requirements are the responsibility of the contractor.)

• CPR & First Aid Certificate
• Negative TB test prior to providing services to clients
• Clean background check
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC)
• Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation (Recreational Therapy or related field acceptable)
• Professional Liability Insurance
• Valid Driver’s License
• Active Auto Insurance appropriate for driving associated with this position

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Reliable transportation to and from clients location
• Must not be excluded from receiving federal payments for providing healthcare services (Office of Inspector General List of Excluded Individuals and Entities database)
• Must not be excluded from federal healthcare programs (System for Award Management (SAM))
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Access to electronic devices with access to internet
• Experience working with individuals (children and/or adults) with developmental disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and/or Autism
• Experience working as a Recreational Therapist is preferred
• Familiarity working with an electronic health/medical record system (EHR/EMR)
• Familiarity with Google Workspace
• Working knowledge of HIPAA privacy and security standards