Recreational Therapist / Terapeuta Recreacional en USA con Visa TN in Bloomington, Minnesota at AFFINITY RESIDENTIAL CARE LLC

The Recreational Therapist provides direct care and recreational therapy to adults living with mental and physical disabilities in Affinity Care group homes and independent living apartments, which are Community Residential Settings (CRS) and Integrated Community Supports (ICS) settings, and in the community. The role includes personal care, teaching daily living and social skills, leading community outings, and coordinating services among Direct Support Professionals, nurses, program coordinators, and program managers. All duties follow Affinity Care policies, procedures, and supervisory guidelines and may change.

Hours are flexible based on site and company coverage needs. The Recreational Therapist may cover other sites or be reassigned to another team or program based on operational needs. The position travels regularly in the community, including driving in snow and ice during Minnesota winters, and involves frequent interruptions and firm deadlines. Some residents have complex personal histories or challenging behaviors.

This is a Recreational Therapist position. The Recreational Therapist does not practice as a nurse, psychologist, gerontologist, or physical therapist, because those professions require U.S. licensure. The employee’s clinical education and experience strengthen the direct support and recreational therapy services provided.

TN visa eligibility depends on the candidate’s qualifications and the job duties. The U.S. government determines visa issuance and admission.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Direct care is a core part of this role every day, not an occasional task.

• Assist residents with daily personal care, including bathing, grooming, dressing, toileting, and oral hygiene.
• Assist with eating, mobility, and safe transfers.
• Administer medications according to physician orders and Affinity Care policies and procedures at sites where this is part of the role, after completing required medication administration training, and document all medications given.
• Plan, shop for, and prepare meals according to each resident’s dietary needs and preferences.
• Keep the home clean and safe, including laundry, dishes, and household cleaning.
• Teach daily living and social skills, and help individuals build community relationships and friendships.
• Plan and lead community outings, and drive residents to activities, outings, and medical and other appointments.
• Coordinate services among Direct Support Professionals, nurses, program coordinators, and program managers.
• Assess each individual’s interests, abilities, and goals.
• Plan therapeutic recreation activities and adapt them to cognitive, physical, or behavioral needs.
• Demonstrate a working knowledge of each assigned individual’s history, skills, program plans, Self-Management Assessment (SMA), Coordinated Service and Support Plan (CSSP), CSSP Addendum (CSSPA), and Individual Abuse Prevention Plan (IAPP).
• Provide support and supervision to each individual, keeping every activity safe.
• Locate, read, understand, and implement all Affinity Care policies, procedures, and forms related to service provision and emergencies, including the site’s Program Abuse Prevention Plan.
• Immediately report to the supervisor all issues related to individual rights, safety, or maltreatment, and any missed deadline, household or program need, non-performance of duties, missing money, or illegal activity.
• Deliver first aid and CPR during medical incidents or illnesses.
• Maintain individual confidentiality.
• Document methods, participation, progress, and results of all services and events on time, every day.
• Keep the supervisor and other staff informed of individual progress; changes in health, mood, or behavior; and company or individual incidents.
• Document and turn in receipts for all company fund disbursements.
• Develop and demonstrate outcome-based therapeutic working relationships with individuals, families and friends, guardians, case managers, staff, management, and other agency personnel.
• Participate as a company and individual team member, offering suggestions and concerns about company and individual issues to the immediate supervisor.
• Maintain employment standards and represent Affinity Care in a positive, outcome-oriented, and professional manner.
• Attend all staff meetings.
• Complete all required orientations, training, and assigned curriculum within allotted timeframes; assist with the orientation of new staff.
• Demonstrate proficiency in training and pass the minimum work performance standards.

An individual in this position must be able to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities listed above. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties of this position.

• Move intermittently throughout the day.
• Lift persons, assist with physical transfers, or implement required therapeutic interventions as required.
• Read, write, and speak English sufficiently to perform duties, including documentation.
• See or hear, with or without prosthetic devices, sufficiently to perform job duties.
• Lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Meet the licensing, contractual, and other mandated requirements of the state and county.
• Possess a valid driver’s license, regular driving experience, access to an insured vehicle, and a clean driving record.
• Make independent decisions when circumstances warrant; demonstrate initiative, creative problem solving, and adaptability.
• Demonstrate a positive demeanor.
• Follow daily routines while allowing for individual decision-making and flexibility.
• Operate a computer, calculator, household appliances, fire systems, and other necessary equipment.
• Work in a variety of settings.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (Licenciatura) or higher in Nursing, Psychology, Gerontology, or Physical Therapy, or in a healthcare-related field that deals with mental health.
• Official Mexican Cédula Profesional at the bachelor’s level. This is a firm requirement.
• Hands-on experience with patients or clients. Research or office work alone does not qualify. Experience working with adults living with mental and physical disabilities is preferred.
• Willingness to provide hands-on personal care, including bathing, grooming, and toileting.
• Spoken English at the B2 to C1 level. Clients have cognitive, learning, or hearing difficulties and must be able to understand the Recreational Therapist clearly. Spoken English is assessed in a video interview.
• Demonstrated desire, skills, and abilities to deliver all licensed and contractual services. Qualification standards as found in Minnesota Statutes chapters 245D and 144G, and background studies of individuals affiliated with programs licensed by DHS.
• A three-year commitment to the role.
• Willingness to relocate to Minnesota and work in person.