ACTIVITY THERAPIST - PER DIEM

Universal Health Services; Summit (NJ); On-site; USD 41,328 - 61,992; Part time

Job summary

Universal Hospital Services Inc. is seeking a Per Diem Therapeutic Activities Therapist for Summit Oaks Hospital. This role involves providing therapeutic activities to patients and collaborating with the treatment team to support behavioral health initiatives.

Successful candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree and have experience in relevant therapeutic disciplines. Responsibilities include documenting patient progress, planning therapeutic groups, and ensuring patient safety and care, fostering a supportive environment for recovery.

Qualifications

• 1-3 years of related work experience is required.
• Knowledge of assaultive behavior management techniques.
• CPR training is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Observe and document changes in patients’ condition.
• Communicate changes in patients’ condition to Charge Nurse.
• Effectively plan and implement therapeutic activity groups.

Skills

Knowledge in one or more program disciplines

Knowledge of psychiatric care techniques

Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads

Fluent in English

Ability to communicate effectively with patients

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

Ability to react calmly in emergency situations

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Certification or licensure in relevant therapy

Job description

Position Overview

Summit Oaks Hospital, a 126‑bed private acute‑care hospital and chemical dependency treatment center located in a picturesque suburban setting, has been accredited by The Joint Commission and has served residents of the northeastern United States since 1902. Summit Oaks has been repeatedly recognized in U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s best behavioral health hospitals.

We are seeking a Per Diem Therapeutic Activities Therapist to join an energetic, motivated individual with prior experience working with patients diagnosed with behavioral health or addictions. The Therapeutic Activities Therapist works as an active part of the treatment team, providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, role modeling and monitoring patients ranging in age from preschool through geriatric, depending on the nursing unit assigned. The nursing units include a 28‑bed adult psych unit, a 28‑bed adult dual‑diagnosis unit, a 22‑bed child and adolescent unit, a 24‑bed detox unit and a 20‑bed rehab unit.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (Required)
• Certification, licensure, and/or board certification in art therapy, recreation therapy, music therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling (Required)
• 1–3 years of related work experience (Required)
• Knowledge in one or more program disciplines such as art, occupational, recreation, music, expressive or dance therapy (Required)
• Knowledge of psychiatric care techniques (Required)
• Knowledge of assaultive behavior management techniques (Required)
• CPR training preferred (Required)
• Knowledge of adolescent and adult program rules and protocols (Required)
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines (Required)
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken (Required)
• Visual acuity sufficient for accurate reading of patient charts and for demonstrating activities or assisting patients in activities (Required)
• Effective oral and written communication skills (Required)
• Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co‑workers (Required)
• Ability to accept direction and adhere to safety policies and procedures (Required)
• Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric) (Required)
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment and tolerate a variety of repetitive tasks (Required)
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations (Required)
• Ability to work in an environment where the noise level is frequently high; where chemicals are frequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may be occasionally present; and where dust, mist and steam are frequently generated in housekeeping tasks (Required)

Responsibilities

1. Demonstrate responsibility for observation and application of sound judgment in patients’ physical and mental condition/needs.
2. Observe and document changes in patients’ appearance, behavior, and ability to work toward treatment plan goals.
3. Communicate changes in patients’ condition to Charge Nurse or Program Coordinator.
4. Provide assessment in psychosocial/leisure and recreational skills development/deficiency.
5. Ensure timely documentation of interventions and ensure interventions are based on the patient’s plan of care.
6. Apply appropriate crisis intervention techniques, as required.
7. Assist patients in achieving their optimum level of independent functioning.
8. Document services rendered in accordance with established criteria.
9. Maintain current documentation in weekly progress notes, including the patient’s name, date, name of therapeutic group/intervention, and summary of the session.
10. Effectively plan and implement therapeutic activity groups for assigned patient case load within the facility, as well as outside the hospital as required.
11. Monitor therapeutic space, supplies and equipment and ensure they are kept in a clean, orderly and safe condition.
12. Utilize advanced knowledge of counseling and therapeutic concepts and methods for determining therapeutic services for psychiatric and chemically dependent patients.
13. Demonstrate knowledge of group dynamics as well as therapy and practice of group processing.
14. Demonstrate excellent guest relations in communication and cooperation, assisting patients, licensed practitioners, co‑workers, and visitors in a prompt and courteous manner.
15. Act as a patient advocate and assure patient rights are upheld.
16. Report therapeutic services charges daily, substantiating any changes in the treatment notes.
17. Attend program meetings and maintain related records.
18. Provide direction, education, and in‑service to other unit personnel regarding Therapeutic Activities Department.
19. Teach coping skills and stress management techniques to patients.
20. Provide pertinent feedback to the interdisciplinary treatment team regarding patient response to therapy, treatment interventions, and therapeutic objectives.
21. Contribute to treatment plan with specific goals and interventions to be achieved in therapeutic activities.
22. Maintain knowledge of the child program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines and maintain knowledge of children’s stages of development.
23. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translate treatment/program expectations to the learning‑disabled child.
24. Relate to child patients in an age‑appropriate manner.
25. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modification in regard to smaller body sizes of children, abandonment issues and the history of physical and/or sexual abuse issues.
26. Recognize acting‑out behavior of adolescent specific age group and set appropriate limits in clear, concise, behavioral and non‑judgmental terms based on the age of the patient.
27. Maintain current knowledge of the adult program rules, protocols and handbook guidelines.
28. Gather appropriate information from the patient, family and interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care.
29. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments, medications and side effects of such in the geriatric age group.
30. Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow‑up care.
31. Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information.