Activity Therapist

About Us

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, located in Bakersfield, California, is an acute psychiatric and behavioral 90-bed facility situated on 8.8 acres. We offer inpatient and outpatient services for children, adolescents, and adults needing mental/behavioral health, chemical dependency, and co-occurring disorders treatment through our medically supervised detoxification. Our workplace community strives daily to be one of the best places to work in Kern County and throughout the behavioral healthcare community by offering amazing benefits, encouraging individual growth and development, and incorporating our CARES values system into daily operations.

• Compassion
• Acceptance
• Respect
• Empowerment
• Sincerity

Our progressive and dedicated healthcare team works to change the lives of our patients and provide exceptional care in a fast-paced environment that requires critical thinking, exceptional leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

About the Role

Serve as a member of the interdisciplinary team, providing therapeutic interventions and recreational services to patients at the hospital.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in a healthcare, psychiatric care, and/or educational field (inpatient psychiatric experience preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as psychology, therapeutic recreation, music therapy, art therapy, or occupational therapy with a recreation therapist certificate.
• Excellent communication, assessment, evaluation, and interpretation skills.
• Knowledge of psychiatric and substance use disorders and treatment.
• Flexibility, teaching or training skills, and understanding of and ability to apply DSM-V methodology.
• Must have CTRS or RTC certification.

We are looking for individuals who bring their heart to work and have experience in mental healthcare, human behavior, psychiatry, psychology, or related fields.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., psychology, recreational therapy, music therapy, art therapy, occupational therapy).
• At least two (2) years of experience, with one (1) year in a behavioral or psychiatric setting preferred (combination of education and experience acceptable).
• Required licenses/certifications: CTRS or RTC.

Pay

CTRS/RTC wage range: $34.85/hr. - $47.56/hr. + $2,000 sign-on bonus for full-time employees only.

Benefits

Bakersfield Behavioral Healthcare Hospital offers a suite of benefits, with eligibility varying based on employment status (full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.). Full-time employees can expect:

• Over three weeks of Paid Time Off in your first year.
• Life Insurance.
• Short-Term Disability Insurance.
• Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Medical Insurance.
• Dental Insurance.
• Vision Insurance.
• Pet Insurance.
• Accident Insurance.
• 401k Retirement Plan.
• Discounted Meals.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Tuition Reimbursement.