Activity Therapist I (Forensics)

State of South Carolina•Richland County, SC

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Activity Therapist I is a secondary activity therapist at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, G. Werber Bryan/Forensics in Columbia, South Carolina. Under the general supervision of the Activity Therapy Director and direct supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor, the position provides a comprehensive recreational therapy program for adult patients with mental illness, including dually diagnosed psychiatric and behavioral health patients. The therapist develops and coordinates goal-oriented groups and leisure activities, assesses patients, documents progress, contributes to treatment planning, and collaborates with treatment teams. The role also supports leisure programming and special events, helps educate interns, students, and volunteers, maintains required competencies, and follows applicable safety, infection-control, documentation, and facility policies. Employees are considered essential staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutics, Art, Physical and Leisure Education, Exercise Science, Health, Music, Health Science, Sports Management, Human Performance, or Fine Arts.
Knowledge of the behavior and level of functioning of adult patients.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with adult and geriatric psychiatric patients, other departments, and professionals.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, push a wheelchair, stand and walk for long periods, climb, maneuver patients in wheelchairs and walkers, and push, pull, bend, and stoop.
Ability to work outdoors, drive at night, work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, and work in inclement weather; employees are considered essential staff.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability in English and Spanish or another language.
Certification with the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation or eligibility for certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate goal-oriented groups and leisure activities for adult patients, based on individual needs and treatment-team recommendations.
Assist the Activity Therapist II with researching group materials and activity ideas.
Conduct a minimum of 18.5 active treatment hours per week.
Complete an Activity Therapy Service Assessment for each assigned patient and provide weekly progress notes documenting attendance, behavior, emotional state, and changes in mental status.
Provide assessment and documentation coverage for adult patients during staffing shortages.
Complete written and electronic medical-record documentation related to treatment goals for assigned patients; maintain a minimum caseload of 8–10 patients.
Comply with Performance Improvement and Infection Control measures and follow directives, policies, and procedures that meet accrediting standards and regulations.
Provide relevant feedback to the Treatment Team about patients’ progress, involvement, and schedules; attend and participate in Treatment Team meetings and recommend appropriate patient groups.
Submit timely, accurate information for assigned patients and groups for the Master Treatment Plan.
Record statistical data daily and submit monthly statistical reports to the Activity Therapy Supervisor.
Assist with planning, coordinating, implementing, and evaluating evening, weekend, and holiday leisure activities and special or seasonal events; provide at least four leisure activities or events monthly and four special events yearly.
Assist with educating interns, students, and volunteers.
Attend Activity Therapy meetings, in-service training, and workshops; provide staff in-service training on specialized knowledge when requested.
Maintain competency in BEST, CPR, Infection Control, Safety and Risk Management, Patient Rights, MIS, Corporate Compliance, and Cultural Competence, and complete Pathlore modules.
Conduct safety checks and maintain facility equipment and supplies.
Observe and comply with rules, regulations, and policies.
Meet monthly with the Activity Therapy Supervisor.

Benefits

Health insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
Dental insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
Vision insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
Long-term disability insurance.
Life insurance for employees, spouses, and children.
15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
15 days of sick leave per year.
13 paid holidays.
Paid parental leave.
S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available.
Retirement benefit choices through the State Retirement Plan (SCRS) or State Optional Retirement Program (State ORP); enrollment in one plan is required for FTE employees.