Recreational Therapist Assistant — Inpatient Mental Health

Ocean View Psychiatric Hospital; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 32,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Ocean View Psychiatric Hospital in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Recreational Assistant to support rehabilitation activities under the Director of Social Services. You will help plan and lead programs that promote socialization, movement, and cognitive engagement for patients.

The role requires caring teamwork, strong communication, and the ability to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed in a 24/7 inpatient setting. Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in Psychology, Therapeutic Recreation, or Behavioral Science preferred.
• Minimum of 2 years of direct service experience in acute behavioral health or inpatient psychiatric setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, organizing, and leading recreational activities for patients.
• Develop engaging games, crafts, music, exercises, and seasonal events.
• Guide group activities and provide individualized, low-stimulation activities when needed.
• Assist with mobility and ensure a safe, clean environment to prevent injuries.
• Record attendance and log engagement notes for nursing/care coordination staff.
• Participate in multidisciplinary treatment planning meetings and family interactions.

Skills

Bilingual English/Spanish

Teamwork

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in Psychology/Therapeutic Recreation/Behavioral Science

Tools

EHR systems

Microsoft Office Suite

Data entry

Job description

Ocean View Psychiatric Hospital in Long Beach, CA is seeking a Recreational Assistant to support rehabilitation activities under the Director of Social Services. You will help plan and lead programs that promote socialization, movement, and cognitive engagement for patients.

The role requires caring teamwork, strong communication, and the ability to work evenings, weekends, or holidays as needed in a 24/7 inpatient setting. Bilingual in English/Spanish is a plus.