Activities Therapist - Behavioral Health Adult - FT - Day

Full-time, non-exempt position on the first shift (days, less than 12 hours per shift) with a 40-hour work week. This is an on-site role with no remote work capability.

About the role

Works in conjunction with the treatment team to assess individual client needs and functional abilities, then provides therapeutic activities to remediate the effects of illness and assist clients in attaining optimal levels of functioning. The role requires expertise in communicating with and about child and adult psychiatric patients, documentation, organizational skills, and the ability to plan and conduct therapeutic groups.

Responsibilities

• Assesses individual activity therapy needs based on observation and firsthand knowledge of the patient and in conjunction with the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Plans, implements, and directs therapeutic activity programs.
• Assesses individual patient participation and ability within the various activities and groups.
• Verbally communicates and documents patient activity therapy participation along with any other pertinent information or observations in a timely manner.
• Acts as a resource for staff in assisting with planning other therapeutic activities or individual work with specific patients.
• Provides observations and feedback regarding patient participation and ability to other team members in planning patients’ care regimen and discharge.
• Identifies patient learning abilities and needs and implements appropriate measures to meet those needs.
• Communicates in a professional, courteous, and non-judgmental manner with patients, families, staff, and other clinicians.
• Demonstrates knowledge of psychiatric patients’ rights.
• Demonstrates awareness and knowledge of individual legal issues insofar as they impact the patients’ treatment.
• Strives to manage situations in a manner that minimizes risk to the patient, staff members, and the organization.
• Maintains patient confidentiality.
• Functions with awareness and applies safety measures as identified in mandatory in-services, protocols, and hospital policy.
• Contributes to and participates in department performance and quality improvement to ensure quality of care.
• Initiates and develops positive working relationships with all staff and healthcare personnel.
• Acts as a patient advocate and communicates patient needs in a timely manner to appropriate staff.
• Complies with all policies, standards, mandatory training, and requirements of Stormont Vail Health.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Horticulture Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, or a related field.
• 1 year of experience working with people in a group setting (preferred).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Physical Demands

• Balancing: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Carrying: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Crouching: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Eye/Hand/Foot Coordination: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Feeling: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Grasping (Fine Motor): Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Grasping (Gross Hand): Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Handling: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Hearing: Frequently (3-5 hours)
• Kneeling: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Lifting: Occasionally (1-3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Pulling: Occasionally (1-3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Pushing: Occasionally (1-3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Reaching (Forward): Occasionally (1-3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Reaching (Overhead): Occasionally (1-3 hours) up to 50 lbs
• Repetitive Motions: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Sitting: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Standing: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Stooping: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Talking: Occasionally (1-3 hours)
• Walking: Frequently (3-5 hours)

Working Conditions

• Combative patients: Rarely (less than 1 hour)
• Noise/sounds: Occasionally (1-3 hours)