Activities Assistant

Brightwell Behavioral Health; East Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Brightwell Behavioral Health is seeking an Activities Assistant to support the delivery of Activity Therapy services and assist with therapeutic recreation groups. This role collaborates with the Rec Therapy Director to promote positive behavioral changes, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical functioning.

You will reinforce coping skills, encourage social interaction, and help with discharge planning.

Qualifications

• Experience in psychiatric settings preferred.
• Basic computer skills are required.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing; additional languages preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supports the delivery of Activity Therapy services.
• Assists with facilitation of therapeutic activity groups and interventions.
• Reinforces healthy coping skills and encourages social interaction.
• Provides leisure education and resources to support discharge planning.
• Documents observations and participates in treatment planning with the interdisciplinary team.
• Instructs clients on safe use of equipment and follows safety protocols.
• Attends trainings to stay updated on best practices in therapeutic recreation.

Skills

Psychiatric setting experience

Basic computer skills

English communication

Job description

The Activities Assistant works in collaboration with the Rec Therapy Director to support the delivery of Activity Therapy services. Under the direction and guidance of the Rec Therapy Director, the Activities Assistant assists with the facilitation of therapeutic activity groups and interventions designed to promote positive behavioral changes, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical functioning.

The Activities Assistant supports group engagement by reinforcing healthy coping skills, encouraging social interaction, and providing patients with leisure education and resources to support discharge planning and continued involvement in meaningful activities. All services are delivered in accordance with organizational policies and current standards of practice.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in psychiatric setting (preferred)
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing; additional languages preferred

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The duties set forth below describe the general nature and level of work being performed by an Activities Assistant. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required, as they include all tasks requested by the Rec Therapy Director to meet the needs of Brightwell Behavioral.

• Works in collaboration with the Rec Therapy Director to support established treatment goals and objectives and assist with the implementation of appropriate therapeutic recreation modalities
• Assists with monitoring client participation and response to activity therapy interventions and reports observations to the Rec Therapy Director and interdisciplinary team, in accordance with documentation policies
• Develops and applies foundational clinical skills by observing clients’ level of functioning, engagement, and behavior during Activity Therapy (AT) sessions
• Participates in treatment team conferences as assigned to exchange relevant observations and support treatment planning and progress discussions
• Documents behaviorally relevant observations and interventions related to Activity Therapy on the Master Treatment Plan (MTP) and discharge documentation, as directed and within established timelines
• Implements assigned components of individual treatment plans using an interdisciplinary team approach and under the guidance of the Activity Therapy Director
• Assists in the development and implementation of new activity-based programming in response to changes and trends in the mental health field
• Instructs clients on the safe and appropriate use of equipment during activity therapy sessions
• Follows all patient safety protocols during therapy sessions and completes required safety checks and checklists
• Attends lectures, seminars, and in-service trainings to remain current with best practices in therapeutic recreation and activity-based interventions
• Assists with or provides staff in-services as requested by the Activity Therapy Director, based on training and experience
• Supports therapeutic limit‑setting, observes verbal and non‑verbal cues for escalating behavior, and utilizes approved de‑escalation techniques, when necessary, in collaboration with the treatment team
• Observes and reports safety concerns related to clients’ perceptual disturbances (e.g., hallucinations, delusions, or illustrations) to appropriate clinical staff
• Activities Assistants may complete Recreational Therapy assessments. All assessments must be reviewed and co‑signed by a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)in accordance with facility policy.
• Performs other duties as assigned by the Rec Therapy Director

AGE OF PATIENTS SERVED AND AGE‑SPECIFIC TECHNOLOGY:

• Adult Population: Age 18 and up
• Sufficient knowledge of Growth and Development to provide individualized therapy for specific age groups. The therapist must be able to adapt interventions and activities to meet the developmental needs of all clients.