Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist Float - Temporary

Stony Brook University; Stony Brook (NY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

Stony Brook University Hospital is seeking a Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist Float (Temporary) to plan and lead recreation and therapeutic activities for patients across units. The role emphasizes crisis prevention, trauma-informed care, and collaborative work with a treatment team.

The successful candidate will hold a related bachelor's degree, have PMCS training, and demonstrate strong de-escalation, teaching and communication skills, with travel as needed within hospital settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in a functional therapeutic activities area and 1 year of full-time experience planning and administering therapeutic programs.
• Have or have had PMCS or similar crisis prevention training.
• Superior verbal calming/de-escalation skills.
• Philosophy of person-centered, trauma-sensitive, and recovery-focused care.
• Excellent communication and teaching abilities; willing to travel for PMCS training.

Responsibilities

• Promote, plan and carry out programs and activities according to field of specialty as directed.
• Directly monitor and evaluate patient response to programs and inform the treatment team of requests and response.
• Maintain inventory of supplies and inform Supervisor of needs.
• Prepare the area for safety and maximum therapeutic value of the session.
• Supervise adjunct staff/students when necessary.
• Evaluate patient progress and work with the treatment team to provide effective programs.
• Interface with nursing, social work and therapy staff for comprehensive care.
• Document attendance statistics and progress notes; share information with departments as needed.
• Participate in Crisis Prevention Team rotations and PMCS Training.
• Utilize verbal de-escalation and, if necessary, physical interventions for restraints as trained.

Skills

Verbal de-escalation

Crisis prevention

Trauma-informed care

Teaching ability

Communication skills

Patient transport

Education

Bachelor's degree in a therapeutic field

Job description

Job Description - Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist Float - Temporary (2604000)

Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist Float - Temporary

Position Summary

At Stony Brook Medicine, a Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist is a valuable member of the team. A therapeutic recreation program is defined as a professional service that assists people with disabilities and other limitations to have a leisure life-style that encompasses functional independence, health and well-being through treatment, education and participation. Functional therapeutic activities are practiced in clinical, community and residential treatment.

As a FTA staff member, the individual would, individually or as a member of a treatment team or treatment program, plan and conduct activities for client/patient groups. The goal of each program is to bring about positive change in a client’s/patient’s mental, physical and/or social behavior. The individual would lead life skills training groups and leisure activities

Duties of a Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialistmay include the following but are not limited to:

• Promote, plan and carry out programs and activities according to field of specialty as directed.
• Directly monitor and evaluate patient response to programs and activities offered and inform the treatment team of requests and response
• Maintain inventory of relevant supplies, and inform Supervisor of supply needs for specific functions.
• Prepare the area for the comfort and safety of the patients to provide the maximum therapeutic value of the session.
• Supervise adjunct staff/students when necessary
• When involved in a functional therapeutic activities program: Evaluate patient’s progress and status and work with the treatment team to provide a therapeutically effective program to meet the patient’s needs.
• As an integral member of the treatment team, will interface with other staff such as nursing, social work and therapy staff, to provide each patient with a comprehensive therapy and care program.
• Document attendance statistics and progress notes, and document patient progress. Share relevant information about patients with other department/disciplines, as necessary to benefit the patient and assist other care staff.
• Participate in Crisis Prevention Team rotation, serving patients on all hospital units (Medical, Surgical, Psychiatric, etc.) and working with interdisciplinary medical team.
• Upon hire, attend Preventing and Managing Crisis Situation (PMCS) Training as a part of your orientation at Stony Brook.
• Attend PMCS “Train the Trainer” Training to become an instructor if applicable.
• Utilize verbal de-escalation skills as a part of the crisis prevention team utilizing skills learned in PMCS.
• Utilize physical skills and interventions in applying appropriate manual restraints when applicable utilizing skills learned in PMCS.

• Stony Brook Medicine is a smoke free environment.Smoking is strictly prohibited anywhere on campus, including parking lots and outdoor areas on the premises.
• All Hospital positions maybe subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary.
• This position may require the wearing of respiratory protection, which may prohibit the wearing of facial hair.
• This function/position maybe designated as “essential.” This means that when the Hospital is faced with an institutional emergency, employees in such positions may be required to remain at their work location or to report to work to protect, recover, and continue operations at Stony Brook Medicine, Stony Brook University Hospital and related facilities.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a functional therapeutic activities area such as Recreational Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy or other related category from an accredited college, and one year of full time experience in planning and administering a therapeutic program, which involved developing and coordinating therapeutic activities for psychiatric patients/residents; individuals with developmental disabilities; individuals that are physically challenged or individuals in treatment for chemical dependency; in a hospital or heath care or related facility.
• Have or have had previous PMCS or similar crisis prevention training.
• Superior verbal calming/de-escalation skills.
• Have a philosophy of person-centered, trauma-sensitive, and recovery-focused care.
• Excellent communication skills and teaching ability in informal and classroom settings.
• Willing to travel to provide and/or participate in education/training events as needed to develop PMCS training and coaching skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience, 2 years specialty experience in Acute Psychiatry.
• Current certification or license associated with field of study.
• Experience/training in crisis management and crisis prevention and associated training.

An applicant must frequently move about the hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors to service patients. The applicant will also aid with the transport of patients. The applicant is responsible for responding to alarms/codes, detecting and communicating situations that may cause harm to the patient, or others, responding to and communicating requests for assistance. In addition, they must, as necessary, use physical interventions and techniques when securing and applying restraints on patients and move restrained patients; as necessary. The applicant will also restrain agitated patients and aid with lifting patients.

Prior to start date, the selected candidate must meet the following requirements:

• Successfully complete pre-employment physical examination and obtain medical clearance from Stony Brook Medicine's Employee Health Services*
• Complete electronic reference check with a minimum of three (3) professional references.
• Successfully complete a 4panel drug screen*
• Meet Regulatory Requirements for pre employment screenings.
• Provide a copy of any required New York State license(s)/certificate(s).

Failure to comply with any of the above requirements could result in a delayed start date and/or revocation of the employment offer.

*The hiring department will be responsible for any fee incurred for examination

Anticipated Pay Range:

The salary range for this position is listed below. This range reflects Stony Brook University Hospital’s good faith and reasonable estimate of potential compensation at the time of posting.

The final offer will be determined based on the candidate’s verified years of relevant, comparable experience. Please note that misrepresentation or inflation of experience may result in disqualification from the hiring process or termination of employment if hired.

Some positions may also include annual supplemental pay, such as:

• Location Pay: for UUP, CSEA, and PEF full-time positions
• Shift Differentials: Additional pay for evening, night, or other supplemental shifts (e.g., inconvenience pay, geographic pay, or other applicable differentials)

At Stony Brook University Hospital, your compensation extends beyond your paycheck. We offer comprehensive benefits including generous leave, health insurance, and participation in the state pension system that contribute significantly to your overall total rewards package.

Stony Brook Medicine integrates and elevates all of Stony Brook University’s health-related initiatives: education, research and patient care. It includes our Health Sciences schools — Medicine, Dental, Health Professions, Nursing and Social Welfare—a Program in Public Health,as well as Stony Brook University Hospital, Stony Brook Children’s Hospital,Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Stony Brook Eastern Long Island Hospital, Long Island State Veterans Home, andmore than 200 community-based healthcare settings throughout Suffolk County.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning, and workingenvironment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.

Stony Brook University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or hiring process, please request one by contacting [e-mail] . We will consider accommodation requests in compliance with applicable law. This process is separate from and does not require any voluntary self-identification of disability status. Please include the position title and position number (if known) in your message.

In accordance with the Title II Crime Awareness and Security Act copy of our crime statistics can be viewed here.

Stony Brook University Hospital, consistent with our shared core values and our intent to achieve excellence, remains dedicated to supporting healthier and more resilient communities, both locally and globally.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The salary range for this position is listed below. This range reflects Stony Brook University Hospital’s good faith and reasonable estimate of potential compensation at the time of posting.

The final offer will be determined based on the candidate’s verified years of relevant, comparable experience. Please note that misrepresentation or inflation of experience may result in disqualification from the hiring process or termination of employment if hired.

Some positions may also include annual supplemental pay, such as:

Location Pay: for UUP, CSEA, and PEF full-time positions

Shift Differentials: Additional pay for evening, night, or other supplemental shifts (e.g., inconvenience pay, geographic pay, or other applicable differentials)

At Stony Brook University Hospital, your compensation extends beyond your paycheck. We offer comprehensive benefits including generous leave, health insurance, and participation in the state pension system that contribute significantly to your overall total rewards package.

Job Number:

2604000

Official Job Title : TH Instructional Support Specialist

Job Field

Allied Health

Primary Location

Department/Hiring Area : Clinical Support/Mental Health

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Variable

Shift Hours

Variable

Pass Days

Variable

Posting Start Date

Oct 23, 2026

Posting End Date

Jan 22, 2027, 4:59:00 AM

Salary Grade : SL3