Activities Therapist Level I

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in Downtown Bronx seeks an Activity Therapist to support medical/psychiatric recreational services as part of the treatment team. The role involves planning and leading individual and group activities, coordinating with staff, and documenting progress to enhance patient care.

The position requires a Bachelor’s Degree with relevant recreation/therapy credits; prior experience in a health care setting is valued. 7:00 A.M – 3:30 P.M shift.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree as required or equivalent.
• As specified in the minimum qualifications for recreation therapy positions.

Responsibilities

• Participate in planning and implementing a medical/psychiatric approved recreational program.
• Coordinate with treatment staff to support patient care.
• Plan individualized activity schedules and therapies for patients.
• Lead group and individual recreational activities and arts therapies.
• Document progress notes and reports on activity therapy.
• Maintain supplies and equipment for the unit.

Skills

Activity therapy

Team collaboration

Patient care

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in recreation therapy or related field

Health care recreation experience

Related coursework in psychology/group dynamics

Job description

Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center is one of New York City’s premier acute care hospitals. Located in Downtown Bronx, Lincoln is a teaching hospital renowned for its Centers of Excellence, and a recognized industry leader in the implementation of state-of-the art medical technology and best practices. Our team of highly trained and caring medical professionals is dedicated to providing the highest quality health care that is safe, compassionate, culturally competent and patient-centered. Comprehensive services are offered in three major primary care areas: Medicine, Pediatrics, and Women’s Health in addition to more than eighty (80) specialty services. At Lincoln, the safety and comfort of our patients is our number one priority.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

7:00 A.M – 3:30 P.M

Purpose of Position

This class of positions encompasses professional and/or supervisory work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility in the operation of an activity therapy department providing medical/psychiatric recreational therapeutic services, in conjunction with other members of the treatment team. All personnel perform related work.

Under supervision, with latitude for initiative and judgment, performs responsible therapeutic work of ordinary difficulty.

Examples of Typical Tasks

• 1. Participates in planning and implementing a medical/psychiatric approved recreational program of individual and ward activities adapted to the needs, interest and capacities of patients.
• 2. Participates in meeting with treatment staff to coordinate effective patient care and participates as a member of a team, in patient groups.
• 3. Plans individualized schedules including activities of daily living, arts and therapy and socialization to meet specific needs of patients.
• 4. Teaches and leads recreational activities such as group and team games, arts and crafts, dances, gymnastics, art in therapy, poetry, simple forms of music and dramatics.
• 5. Directs learning experiences as part of care/treatment of patients to influence behavioral changes leading to increased experience and comprehension of self and environment.
• 6. Works with and may guide students from multi disciplines, volunteers and others assigned to the area of service.
• 7. Attends and contributes to department meetings, attends and conducts in-service training programs.
• 8. Works with private and public organizations to further recreational programs.
• 9. May co-lead or lead small group therapy and other discussion groups.
• 10. May co-lead community meetings with other members of various disciplines.
• 11. Communicates observations of patients in activity therapy to team.
• 12. Charts Activity Therapy Progress Notes.
• 13. Prepares periodic reports and keeps appropriate records.
• 14. Is responsible for maintaining and ordering of supplies and equipment for assigned unit.

Minimum Qualifications

• 1. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by eighteen (18) credits in recreation, physical education, dance, fine arts, and/or applied arts (including therapy), and twelve (12) semester credits in psychology, social psychology, group work, group dynamics, and/or related discipline; or
• 2. Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, and one (1) year of full-time experience in planning, coordinating and supervising a recreation activities program in a health care setting; or
• 3. A satisfactory combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to 1 or 2 above. However, all candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree.