Activities Assistant

About the role

Activities Assistant serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team to provide evidence-based activity services under the supervision of an Activity Therapist or Activity Therapy Coordinator to patients hospitalized for treatment of substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or psychiatric or emotional disorders. The assistant helps execute medically approved activity programs — including holidays and special events, social activities, relaxation techniques, music-based interventions, leisure educational games, and expressive arts — to assist patients in developing interpersonal relationships, increasing motivation, socializing effectively, and building confidence to participate in group activities. Content of the programs is regulated in accordance with patients' capabilities, needs, interests, and treatment plans under the guidance of the Activity Therapist or Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Provides activity groups.
• Documents the patient's response to groups pertinent to patient treatment on daily/weekly progress status, as appropriate.
• Provides and documents appropriate alternate interventions when patients miss groups.
• Provides groups according to the protocol set forth by the Activity Therapist; communicates and works with the patient to achieve the greatest benefit and resolution.
• Maintains constant communication with the Activity Therapist when a patient is not responding to treatments.
• Contributes to the effective functioning of the patient's program.
• Understands age differences and corresponding developmental needs.
• Provides activities suitable to the patient's needs and offers a variety of stimuli in accordance with the treatment plan, with approval of the Activity Therapist or Activity Therapy Lead.
• Contributes to maintaining a quality program to satisfy the therapeutic needs of the patient.
• Offers direction and education to maintain clear communication of expectations.
• Provides quality programming to support the objectives of the patient and their needs.
• Contributes to treatment planning with feedback to nursing and program staff to achieve therapeutic interventions under supervision of the Activity Therapist or Activity Therapy Lead.

Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma or GED required; Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a recreation-related field preferred.
• Experience: Previous experience in a psychiatric health care facility with direct experience working with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric, and geriatric patients preferred.
• License: Not applicable.
• CPR certification and Crisis Prevention Training (CPI) required within 30 days of hire.
• May be required to work flexible hours, holidays, and overtime.

About Westpark Springs

Westpark Springs is a mental health and addiction treatment center located at 6902 S Peek Road in Richmond, Texas. It offers inpatient and outpatient services for adults, adolescents, and children dealing with psychiatric, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. Programs include inpatient psychiatric care, detox services, Partial Hospitalization (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP). Specialized youth services for ages 12–18 provide academic support and family involvement. The facility operates 24/7 for assessments and admissions with a multidisciplinary team. Westpark Springs is part of Lifepoint Health.