Coordinator, Activities Therapy, Behavioral Health

Lifepoint Health • Holyoke, MA

4d • $24 - $32 • Onsite

About The Position

Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, operated jointly with Lifepoint Behavioral Health and Baystate Health, is seeking a dedicated Activities Therapy Coordinator. This role is crucial in providing evidence-based activity services to patients undergoing treatment for substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or psychiatric/emotional disorders. The coordinator will plan, organize, and direct medically approved activity programs, including holidays, special events, social activities, relaxation techniques, music-based interventions, leisure educational games, and expressive arts. The goal is to help patients develop interpersonal relationships, increase motivation, socialize effectively, and build confidence. The coordinator will ensure program content aligns with patients' capabilities, needs, interests, and treatment plans, acting as the liaison for the Activity Therapy department to Clinical Services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute in Recreational Therapy (CTRS), Music Therapy (MT-BC), Art Therapy (ATR, ATR-BC, ATR-P LPAT), or similar field required.
• Previous experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience working with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric and geriatric patients preferred.
• Current unencumbered certification/license/registration required per state of practice guidelines.
• CPR certification and Crisis Prevention Training (CPI) within 30 days.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience working with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric and geriatric patients.

Responsibilities

• Applies appropriate theory and standards for decision and actions regarding therapeutic practices.
• Assesses patient needs utilizing cultural, religious, and physical disabilities, in the determination of capabilities in groups and with specific activities.
• Documents the patient’s response to interventions pertinent to patient treatment on daily/weekly progress status, as appropriate.
• Completes all assessments within the time frame allotted and contributes to assessment workload balance between therapists.
• Formulates the initial and subsequent treatment programs in accordance with the attending physician’s/licensed practitioner’s treatment orders.
• Develops a plan of care with specific and measurable goals, objectives, and interventions defining actions unique to each patient’s needs.
• Provides therapy treatment procedures according to the treatments plan, communicate, and work with the patient to achieve the greatest benefit and resolution.
• Maintains constant communication with the treatment team, therapist, and physician/licensed practitioner when patient is not responding the treatments.
• Contributes to the effective functioning of the patient’s program.
• Understands the age differences and the corresponding developmental needs.
• Provides activities suitable to the patient’s needs and offers a variety of stimuli in accordance with the treatment plan.
• Maintains a quality program to satisfy the therapeutic needs of the patient.
• Offers direction and education to maintain clear communication of expectations.
• Provides quality programming to support the objectives of the patient and their needs.
• Reassesses and updates treatment plan goals when there are significant changes in the patient’s condition in compliance with facility policy or after patient’s stay has exceeded 7 days.
• Contributes to treatment planning with feedback to clinical and program staff to achieve therapeutic interventions.
• Provides direction to clinical and unit staff regarding activity related groups.
• Provides input into patient’s AT goals to the treatment teams and records any treatment updates on the treatment update form in treatment team when applicable.
• Coaches and onboards other ATs to ensure they perform to standards of performance under the guidance of the DCS.
• Coordinates the workflows and schedules of other ATs as directed by DCS.
• Coordinates and plans programming and treatment goals.
• Coordinates and assures material availability to meet plans.
• Coordinates these plans with other ATs.
• Maintains AT budget and ordering of supplies needed for group programming.
• Coordinates holiday and special event plans to encourage patient participation in groups.
• Works with DCS in developing unit schedules/programming and newsletters provided to patients daily.

Benefits

• Multiple levels of medical, dental and vision coverage for full-time and part-time employees.
• Life, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity insurance, short- and long-term disability, paid family leave and paid time off.
• Higher education and certification tuition assistance, loan assistance and 401(k) retirement package and company match.
• Mental, physical, and financial wellness programs (free gym memberships, virtual care appointments, mental health services and discount programs).
• Ongoing learning and career advancement opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level