Activities Therapy Aide 6-E8

State of Michigan; Westland (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Michigan's Department of Health & Human Services seeks an Activity Therapy Aide to assist in planning, implementing, and delivering therapeutic activities for patients, including recreational, social, physical, and vocational groups. You will engage patients in group and one-on-one settings, document observations, and coordinate with the care team to ensure dignity and respectful treatment.

The role requires high school education and may involve CDL in some positions.

Qualifications

• Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school.
• Some positions may require CDL as per state policy.
• Experience documenting observations and coordinating with care teams.

Responsibilities

• Plan, implement, and perform therapeutic activities including groups and individual sessions.
• Engage patients in recreational, social, physical, and vocational activities daily.
• Document observations and communicate with the treatment team per policy.

Skills

Patient care

Group facilitation

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Job Description

The MDHHS mission is to provide opportunities, services, and programs that promote a healthy, safe, and stable environment for residents to be self-sufficient. We are committed to ensuring a diverse workforce and a work environment whereby all employees are treated with dignity, respect and fairness. For more information, please visit our MDHHS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan.

Under the guidance of a professional therapist, the Activity Therapy Aide participates in the planning, implementation, and performance of therapeutic activities in the form of recreational, social, physical, vocational groups, unit or centralized PSR, and special programs, holiday programs, and multi-unit parties. The Activity Therapy Aide will engage patients in groups and individually. This position assures that dignity and respect are central in the provision of services. The Activity Therapy Aide communicates with unit staff, Activity Therapy staff, and treatment team members regarding patient needs and behaviors. The Activity Therapy Aide documents observations according to department procedure and hospital policy and attends department and other mandatory meetings as assigned. This position provides opportunities for increased active treatment for patients diagnosed with mental illness, by providing recreational opportunities to engage patients daily, including weekends and evening programming under the supervision of a certified or licensed clinician.

The preferred and appointed candidate will be subject to pre-employment, random, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and/or alcohol testing.

To Be Considered For This Position You Must

• Relevant experience and/or education referred to in the supplemental questions must be documented in the resume, transcript and/or application to allow for accurate screening.
• Attach a resume identifying specific experience and dates of employment. Dates of employment should include month and year and hours per week.
• If applicable, attach a copy of an official transcript(s). We accept scanned copies of official transcripts. We do not accept web-based, internet, or copies of unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts provide the name of the institution, confirmation that a degree was awarded and on what date, and the registrar's signature.

All staff with start dates on/after 08/16/2026 will train at the Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital (SMPH) in Northville but, upon completion of training may work at the Walter Reuther Psychiatric Hospital (WRPH) until their position/classification officially moves from WRPH to SMPH at a date yet to be determined.

Required Education And Experience

Education

Educational level typically acquired through completion of high school.

Experience

• Activities Therapy Aide 6: No specific type or amount is required.
• Activities Therapy Aide 7: One year of experience equivalent to an Activities Therapy Aide 6.
• Activities Therapy Aide E8: Two years of experience equivalent to an Activities Therapy Aide, including one year equivalent to an Activities Therapy Aide 7.

Additional Requirements And Information

Some positions within this job may require possession of the Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) issued by the Secretary of State as required by Public Act 346 of 1988 to operate a designated state vehicle.

View the entire job specification at: ATA 6-E8

View the position description at: ATA-Adults

The physical location of this position is 30901 Palmer Rd Westland MI 48186.

Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applications interviewed will be notified of the results.

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) software of any kind is prohibited in all areas of the selection process, including, but not limited to, responses to application questions, and responses to interview questions or exercises.

As a Condition of Employment: this position requires successful completion of a background investigation and a criminal record check.

The Department of Health & Human Services reserves the right to close this posting prior to its original end date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.

If you previously held status in this classification and departed within the last three (3) years, please contact Human Resources regarding your interest in a potential reinstatement. Reinstatement is not guaranteed or required.

Inquiries regarding this posting should be sent [e-mail].

Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA Coordinator for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

Rewarding Work

State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state’s military and veterans; rebuild our state’s infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits

The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees’ annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs

The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state’s contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave

Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave

Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays

Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year’s Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs

Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential

Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs

In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness

Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction

Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development

To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules

Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times

Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park—just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one‑of‑a‑kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan’s affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24