Sherry Spear
Butte,MT
Summary
I am a proficient professional with leadership and supervisory experience creating and administering therapeutic and wellness programs that empower and develop resiliency skills to enhance mental health and illness recovery for diverse populations. I have many years of experience leading and training employees in all aspects of the supervisory process. I have held a CTRS certification for 20 years with the National Certification Therapeutic Recreation Council. I have advanced knowledge of the methods and professional standards of practice of recreational therapy in behavioral health care.
Experienced leader with strong focus on team collaboration and delivering results. Adept at managing operations, driving process improvements, and fostering positive work environment. Known for adaptability and reliability in meeting changing needs. Skilled in strategic planning, staff development, and performance management.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Recreation Therapy Department Manager
Montana State Hospital
01.2024 - Current
- I currently supervise 22 recreation staff who work on various units throughout the hospital. I oversee the wellness curriculum of the therapeutic program for the hospital units. I supervise the planning of special events and train staff to use evidence-based standards of practice in the development of the program to establish quality interventions. I supervise recreation staff from position classification, recruitment, and hiring as well as orientation and training, performance evaluation, job enhancement mentoring, and training sessions. I work with a multidisciplinary team to ensure progress and facility strategic planning to ensure the CMS regulations are followed.
Recreation Therapy Specialist, CTRS
Montana State Hospital
01.2019 - 01.2023
- As a CTRS working directly with psychiatric patients I conduct evaluations and assess the needs of each individual patient to determine goals for optimal outcomes. I research and implement the most current evidence-based recreation therapy modalities to achieve positive progress towards individual goals. I ensure timely and quality services are meeting the high standards that I strive for. I work daily with a multidisciplinary treatment team to ensure quality mental health services while establishing effective communication between disciplines is achieved for the individuals and facility that I serve. Organization of group and staff schedules and effective training for recreation therapy aides is a large part of my workload. An integral part of my job is ensuring rehab team members are equipped with the skills they need to achieve success by conducting trainings and orientation for Recreation Therapists and Recreation Therapy Aides. I plan and develop program needs for items and supplies that are needed and are in good repair and ordered as needed while keeping the organizational budget maintained.
CTRS, Activity Services Manager
Acadia Montana
09.2006 - 07.2019
- Work involved the leading and managing a Recreational Therapy Department for a 100-bed residential treatment facility for children and adolescents. I coordinated the curriculum of the therapeutic program for the entire facility of 4-5 units. I supervised the planning of special events and used evidence-based standards of practice in the development of the program to establish quality interventions. I provided leadership of personnel in my department as well as providing Mental Health First Aid training for all staff in the facility. I supervised recreation staff from position classification, recruitment, and hiring as well as orientation and training, competency assessments, job enhancement mentoring, and supervised 2 internships for professionals entering the recreation therapy field. I worked with a multidisciplinary team to ensure progress and facility strategic planning to ensure the priorities of patient care in the facility were relevant to patient care needs.
CTRS, Activity Director
Butte Center (formerly Butte Convalescent Center)
09.2002 - 09.2006
- Work involved the supervision of the activity department of a 100-bed long term care facility. I assessed the needs, skills, and leisure interests of residents in order to plan activities and special events and ensure priorities and needs of the residents were met to enhance quality of life for the families and residents. I organized volunteers and music events and supervised activity staff from recruitment to staff evaluations and ensured staff were equipped with the skills necessary for the position. I kept the department budget balanced by prioritizing items needed for the enhancement of the program of care. I worked as part of the treatment team with the ultimate goal of providing the highest quality of services for the residents in our care.
Behavioral Health Aide
SL Start and Co.
08.1998 - 08.2001
- In this role I assisted clients with disabilities with developing skills for optimal independence in a group home setting. I trained clients with learning job skills, cooking skills, budgeting, life skills and activities of daily living. I used my knowledge of assistive devices, assistive technology, and adaptations to assist clients to function as independently as possible and achieve quality life skills for self-reliance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Recreation Therapy
Eastern Washington University
Cheney, Washington01.2001
Associate in Applied Science - Special Education Rehabilitation Paraprofessional
Spokane Falls Community College
01.1998
Graduate - undefined
Gonzaga Preparatory High School
01.1991
Skills
- Organized and managed a comprehensive mental health treatment program for 14 years
- Proficient in Leadership and Training
- Quick Learner
- Computer Proficient
- Problem-solving
- Training and mentoring
- Task delegation
- Safety and security
Certification
2002 Nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist through NCTRC Certificate ID#51465
Timeline
Recreation Therapy Department Manager
Montana State Hospital
01.2024 - Current
Recreation Therapy Specialist, CTRS
Montana State Hospital
01.2019 - 01.2023
CTRS, Activity Services Manager
Acadia Montana
09.2006 - 07.2019
CTRS, Activity Director
Butte Center (formerly Butte Convalescent Center)
09.2002 - 09.2006
Behavioral Health Aide
SL Start and Co.
08.1998 - 08.2001
Associate in Applied Science - Special Education Rehabilitation Paraprofessional
Spokane Falls Community College
Graduate - undefined
Gonzaga Preparatory High School
Bachelor of Science - Recreation Therapy
Eastern Washington University
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