Activity Therapist

Position Summary

The Activity Therapist is a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team and utilizes clinical skills within their area of expertise—including expressive arts therapies, recreational therapy, occupational therapy, and psycho‑educational interventions—to plan, organize, and implement a comprehensive program of ancillary services. This role assesses patients’ capabilities, needs, interests, and goals, and develops individualized treatment plans aligned with interdisciplinary team objectives.

Essential Functions

• Assesses patient care needs and collaborates with the interdisciplinary team to develop, implement, and continually reassess individualized treatment plans.
• Plans and facilitates milieu programming, including therapeutic groups, skill‑building activities, and psycho‑educational sessions.
• Establishes and maintains therapeutic relationships with assigned patients.
• Provides clinical input and participates actively in interdisciplinary treatment planning and rounds as required.
• Monitors patient safety and promptly reports any potential risks or concerns to the Manager and Unit Leaders.
• Documents and reports patient information accurately and timely, following established policies and procedures.
• Promotes a customer‑ and patient‑focused environment by maintaining professionalism and adhering to quality improvement standards.
• Works in various clinical settings with diverse patient populations.
• Assists in monitoring departmental documentation for accuracy and completeness, including conducting chart reviews as needed.
• Acts as a lead in performance improvement initiatives and participates on committees as assigned.
• Supports departmental performance appraisals by collecting and/or completing concurrent input forms and, when appropriate, assisting with or writing evaluations.
• Takes an active role in staff training, including orientation, competency assessments, and identification of ongoing training needs; promotes positive communication among staff.
• Collaborates in follow‑up related to disciplinary actions when applicable.
• Conducts functional assessments per physician order, as required.
• Collaborates with the AT Clinical Manager regarding internships and other departmental activities.
• Serves as a role model for the organization’s mission and values through professional appearance, communication, time management, and behavior.
• Provides spiritual, emotional, social, mental, and physical support to patients.
• Demonstrates commitment to Relationship‑Based Care in hospital‑based services.
• Maintains required annual training and demonstrates competency in all programmatic training.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Required:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy or
  • Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy

Credentials / Licensure

• Required:
  • Registered therapist or certification as OTR, COTA, or CTRS
  • BLS certification within one week of hire

Experience

• Required:
  • Minimum of three (3) months of relevant psychiatric, medical, or clinical experience
  • On‑the‑job training or formal education in therapy and counseling principles for patients with a variety of psychiatric and medical conditions