Activity Assistant

Acadia Healthcare•Fayetteville, AR

23d

About The Position

The Activity Assistant assists with planning, developing, organizing, implementing, and directing individual and group activities and recreation within the facility. The role organizes and leads recreational activities for patients and their families, introduces new patients to the community and encourages participation, and adapts activities to participants’ abilities and needs. The assistant documents activity interventions and patient progress in medical records, seeks support when patient-related complications arise, and helps maintain safety. The position also requires a positive, empathetic, and professional approach to patients and responsiveness to complaints.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.
First aid certification may be required depending on the state or facility.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in activity therapy or a related field.
Previous recreation experience in a healthcare setting and knowledge of the patient population served by the facility.

Responsibilities

Organize, lead, and promote interest in recreational activities for patients and their families.
Introduce new patients to other patients and staff, explain programs, and encourage participation.
Explain activity rules and instruct participants with varying skill levels.
Document activity interventions and patient progress in the medical record according to facility requirements.
Seek supervision and support when complications arise with a patient in individual or group settings.
Enforce safety rules to help prevent injury and modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
Organize and set up equipment used in recreational activities.
Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers.
Acknowledge and work to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met.
Recognize patient safety as a top priority.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.