Activity Therapist I (Forensics)

State of South Carolina•Richland County, SC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Activity Therapist I serves as the Secondary Activity Therapist at the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, Office of Mental Health, G. Werber Bryan/Forensics in Columbia, South Carolina. Under general supervision of the Activity Therapy Director and direct supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor, this position provides a comprehensive recreational therapy program for adult patients with mental illness, including patients with psychiatric and behavioral health needs and dual diagnoses. The therapist develops and coordinates goal-oriented groups and leisure activities based on individual patient needs and treatment-team recommendations, completes assessments and progress documentation, contributes to treatment planning, and collaborates with patients, staff, and other professionals. The role includes at least 18.5 active treatment hours per week and a minimum caseload of 8–10 patients. The therapist also helps plan and deliver leisure activities and special events, supports interns, students, and volunteers, and maintains required competencies and compliance with applicable policies, safety practices, and accreditation standards. This position requires the ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays, work outdoors and in inclement weather, and drive at night. All employees are considered essential staff. The department offers full-time employees health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance; annual and sick leave; paid holidays; paid parental leave; deferred compensation; and retirement plan choices.

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 extended 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.
Post-hire knowledge and skills in the principles, practices, and objectives of Therapeutic Recreation in group settings.
Post-hire knowledge of state and federal regulations, current guidelines, policies, and procedures related to Therapeutic Recreation and patients in a psychiatric hospital.

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.
Provide a minimum of 18.5 active treatment hours per week.
Assist the Activity Therapist II with researching group materials and activity ideas.
Complete an Activity Therapy Service Assessment for each assigned patient and provide weekly progress notes covering 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 related to OMH and BPH accreditation standards and regulations.
Provide feedback to the Treatment Team about patient progress, involvement, and schedules; attend and participate in Treatment Team meetings and recommend appropriate patient groups.
Submit timely and accurate information for assigned patients and groups for the Master Treatment Plan.
Record statistical data daily and submit a monthly statistical report 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 and in-service training and workshops; provide staff in-service training on specialized areas of 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 applicable rules, regulations, and policies.
Meet monthly with the Activity Therapy Supervisor.

Benefits

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