Activity Therapist PRN

Oceans Healthcare; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Haven Behavioral Healthcare, part of Oceans Healthcare, seeks passionate therapists to lead activity therapy programs in an inpatient setting. You will assess patients, plan individualized activities, and facilitate group and individual sessions using art, music, or occupational therapy modalities.

The ideal candidate holds a relevant degree, licenses as MT-BC, ATR/ATR-BC/ATR-P, or COTA, with at least three years of inpatient experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or related field required; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 3 years clinical practice in inpatient acute care.
• Must hold current certification/licensure: MT-BC, ATR/ATR-BC/ATR-P (LPAT), or COTA with state license.
• Must complete BLS and Oceans-approved de-escalation training.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments to determine patients' emotional, cognitive, and social needs and develop individualized therapeutic activity plans.
• Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups and individual sessions using art-, music-, or occupational-therapy-based modalities
• Create a supportive, safe, and engaging environment that promotes patient participation.
• Evaluate patient participation and progress, documenting all services per policy.
• Encourage patients to participate in activities that support emotional expression, social interaction, education, and skill development.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary treatment team to implement treatment plans and communicate changes in patient status.
• Seek supervision or clinical support when challenges arise in individual or group sessions.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation, including assessments, sessions, and updates to treatment plans.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Empathy & compassion

Group facilitation

Assessment & planning

Documentation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Stress management

Adaptability

BLS certification

Education

Bachelor's degree in Music Therapy/Art Therapy/Occupational Therapy or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Three years clinical practice in inpatient acute care (preferred)

Licensure: MT-BC / ATR/ATR-BC/ATR-P / COTA (state license if applicable)

Job description

Haven Behavioral Healthcare, an Oceans Healthcare Company, is a behavioral healthcare system providing high-quality, specialty behavioral health services for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. Our success is a reflection of the excellence and dedication of our employees at every level of our facilities. The culture of our hospitals is built around service. All jobs performed on our team are worthwhile and every employee makes a difference. If you are looking for an opportunity to grow personally and professionally while delivering compassionate, quality care we encourage you to explore career opportunities with Haven.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct assessments to determine patients’ emotional, cognitive, and social needs and develop individualized therapeutic activity plans.
• Lead and facilitate therapeutic groups and individual sessions using art-, music-, or occupational-therapy–based modalities
• Create a supportive, safe, and engaging environment that promotes patient participation.
• Evaluate patient participation and progress, adjusting therapeutic approaches as needed, and document all services per policy.
• Encourage patients to participate in activities that support emotional expression, social interaction, education, and skill development.
• Collaborate with the multidisciplinary treatment team to implement treatment plans and communicate changes in patient status.
• Seek supervision or clinical support when challenges arise in individual or group sessions.
• Maintain accurate, timely documentation, including assessments, sessions, and updates to treatment plans.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Education / Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Occupational Therapy or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
• Prefer three (3) years’ clinical practice experience in inpatient acute care.
• Must hold and maintain current certification / licensure appropriate to discipline:
  • Music Therapist- Board Certified (MT-BC)
  • Registered or Board-Certified Art Therapist (ATR, ATR-BC, ATR-P (LPAT)
  • Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA), with valid state license if applicable

Skills / Abilities:

• Demonstrates the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care that meets age-, disability-, and culturally related needs of the assigned patient population.
• Understands principles of growth and development across the lifespan and applies this knowledge in assessment and treatment.
• Assess and interprets patient data to identify individual needs and deliver appropriate therapeutic interventions for adolescent, adult, geriatric, chemically dependent, and dually diagnosed populations.
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of mental illness, chemical dependency, and associated family dynamics.
• Demonstrates understanding of evidence-based clinical therapy modalities relevant to activity therapy.
• Communicates effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members; exhibits strong group facilitation and process skills appropriate to patient needs.
• Demonstrates adaptability, flexibility, and the ability to perform effectively in stressful or rapidly changing situations.
• Exhibits strong organizational and time-management skills; able to coordinate multiple priorities efficiently.
• Functions effectively both independently and under supervision as required.
• Must successfully complete Basic Life Saving (BLS) certification and an Oceans approved behavioral de-escalation program.

Work Environment:

Subject to many interruptions. Pressure due to multiple calls and inquiries. This position can be highly paced and stressful; must be able to cope mentally and physically with the atmosphere. This person might sometimes experience disagreeable odors, sights and/or unpredictable patient behavior. Work requires spending approximately 90% or more of the time inside a building that offers protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.