Senior Activity Therapist - Rehab & Gerontology

NYC Health + Hospitals; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

NYC Health + Hospitals’ McKinney is seeking an Activity Therapist to provide medical/psychiatric recreational therapy to patients in a skilled nursing setting.

Under supervision, you will plan and implement therapeutic activities, coach staff and collaborate with treatment teams to support patient goals. The role involves leading individual and group activities, assessing needs, and contributing to care plans while maintaining records. A Bachelor’s Degree and related experience are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by eighteen (18) credits in recreation, physical education, dance, fine arts, and/or applied arts (including therapy), and twelve (12) semester credits in psychology, social psychology, group work, group dynamics, and/or related discipline, and one (1) year of full-time experience in planning, coordinating and supervising a recreation activities program in a health care setting; or
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university, and two (2) years of full-time experience described in 1 above; or
• A satisfactory combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to 1 or 2 above. However, all candidates must possess a Bachelor’s Degree.

Responsibilities

• Participates in planning and implementing a medical/psychiatric approved recreational program of individual and ward activities adapted to the needs, interest and capacities of patients.
• Participates in meeting with treatment staff to coordinate effective patient care and participates as a member of a team, in patient groups.
• Plans individualized schedules including activities of daily living, arts and therapy and socialization to meet specific needs of patients.
• Teaches and leads recreational activities such as group and team games, arts and crafts, dances, gymnastics, art in therapy, poetry, simple forms of music and dramatics.
• Directs learning experiences as part of care/treatment of patients to influence behavioral changes leading to increased experience and comprehension of self and environment.
• Works with and may guide students from multi disciplines, volunteers and others assigned to the area of service.
• Attends and contributes to department meetings, attends and conducts in-service training programs.
• Works with private and public organizations to further recreational programs.
• May co-lead or lead small group therapy and other discussion groups.
• May co-lead community meetings with other members of various disciplines.
• Communicates observations of patients in activity therapy to team.
• Charts Activity Therapy Progress Notes.
• Prepares periodic reports and keeps appropriate records.
• Assesses recreational therapeutic and activity program needs and plans for implementation through research and evaluation.
• Evaluates daily functioning of activity therapy programs in assigned area.
• Coordinates such activities as adapted sports, dramatic, social activities, arts and crafts, music, regulating content of program in accordance with patients’ capabilities, needs and interest for assigned unit.
• Applies new techniques and skills both interpersonal and technical in a continuing effort to provide practical programs. Explores new developments within the area of Activity Therapy implementing those which are applicable to their setting.
• Works with other disciplines to coordinate effective patient care.
• May review clinical case records for accuracy and completeness.
• Maintains functional operational level of equipment, supplies and work areas.
• May develop and conduct in-service training within their area of expertise.
• Prepares and submits reports and statistics.
• Prepares appropriate records.

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in recreation or related field with psychology/group work background

Job description

NYC Health + Hospitals’ McKinney is seeking an Activity Therapist to provide medical/psychiatric recreational therapy to patients in a skilled nursing setting.

Under supervision, you will plan and implement therapeutic activities, coach staff and collaborate with treatment teams to support patient goals. The role involves leading individual and group activities, assessing needs, and contributing to care plans while maintaining records. A Bachelor’s Degree and related experience are required.