Activity Therapist - Acute

Summit BHC; Santa Teresa (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Peak Behavioral Health in Santa Teresa, NM, seeks an Activity Therapist to plan, organize, and conduct comprehensive recreational therapy services within the patient treatment plan. The role focuses on helping patients learn coping skills, hobbies, social skills, and personal growth through therapeutic activities.

The incumbent will assess needs, design programs across physical, social, and creative domains, and document progress in care records.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• One or more years’ experience in recreation in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform patient assessments through patient/family interview to inform individualized treatment plans.
• Plan and implement activities programs including therapeutic leisure skills and education.
• Orient patients to activities program and explain benefits of activities to patients.
• Engage patients in individual and group recreation, monitoring progress and adjusting as needed.
• Provide patients with resources, supplies, and equipment; document assessments and progress notes.

Skills

Assessment skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field

Master’s degree preferred in Therapeutic Recreation or related field

Job description

Activity Therapist - Acute | Peak Behavioral Health | Santa Teresa, New Mexico

About the Job:

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Activity Therapist plans, organizes, and conducts comprehensive recreational therapy services as a component of the patient’s treatment plan designed to assist the patient with learning healthy coping skills, strengths, hobbies, and assist with the development of social skills/relationships. Ensures all programming is consistent with accepted standards of practice and established policies and procedures.

Roles and Responsibilities:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs patient assessments through patient/family interview, obtaining information on the patient’s needs, skills, interests, strengths, and limitations for the development and implementation of individualized treatment plan.
• Plans and implements an activities program including but not limited to therapeutic leisure skills and activities, leisure education and leisure awareness to provide quality activities programs that meet patient needs and interests and helps the patient achieve his/her treatment goals. Coordinates patient activities while providing a safe environment.
• Orients patients to the activities program, explaining the benefits of the activities to the patients.
• Engages patients in therapeutic activities such as exercise, games sports, dance, music, art or relaxation techniques designed to meet their specific needs. Monitors and evaluates patient’s progress, interest levels, attitude, and behaviors.
• Engages patients in individual and/or group recreation programming. Individual and group programming will fall under the five activity domains: physical, social, intellectual, creative and spiritual. Modifies activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
• Provides patients with activity resources, supplies and equipment, as needed. Requests needed supplies and equipment in a timely manner, as needed.
• Helps patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
• Performs all documentation such as assessments and progress notes in a timely manner.
• Helps to develop and maintain departmental resources, sharing the responsibility to monitor equipment and supplies.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Specific Discipline in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy or related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.
• One or more years’ experience in recreation in a healthcare setting with knowledge of patient population served by the facility is required.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or currently in the process of obtaining national certification; OR certified in the area of specialty (Art, Dance, Music, etc.) OR clinical professional licensure (LCPC, LPC, etc.) with certification in expressive therapy area required.

WORK LOCATION:

This position is on-site at the facility and is not a remote position.

Why Peak Behavioral Health?Peak Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Peak Behavioral Health is an EOE.

Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.