Activity Therapist

Acadia Healthcare•Columbia, MO

About The Position

The Activity Therapist helps patients improve their mental, emotional, physical, and social well-being through therapeutic activities and recreation programs. The role assesses patient interests and needs, develops individualized treatment plans, leads group and individual activity sessions, and supports patients in building skills that promote independence and recovery. Activities may include art, music, recreation, exercise, leisure education, relaxation techniques, and community-based experiences. The therapist plans and implements activity interventions that support patients’ treatment goals and interests, adapts activities to specific groups, and helps patients develop social skills needed to become or remain independent. The role also prioritizes patient safety, responds professionally and empathetically to patients, and works to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met. Other functions and tasks may be assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy, or a related field.
Three or more years of recreation experience in a healthcare setting, with knowledge of the patient population served by the facility.
CTRS certification or current progress toward national certification; alternatively, certification in a specialty area such as art, dance, or music, or clinical professional licensure (such as LCPC or LPC) with expressive therapy certification.
CPR certification.
De-escalation and restraint certification; training is available upon hire and offered by the facility.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Previous recreation experience in a healthcare setting.
First aid, if required by state or facility requirements.

Responsibilities

Assess patients through observation and patient or family interviews to identify needs, skills, interests, and limitations for treatment planning.
Plan, organize, direct, and implement activities within the treatment program to facilitate patient progress toward treatment goals.
Plan and implement therapeutic leisure activities, leisure education, and leisure-awareness programming.
Facilitate and lead activity sessions to improve patients’ mental and physical well-being.
Instruct patients in activities and techniques such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation, tailored to their needs.
Develop treatment plans and implement activity interventions that match patient needs and interests and support treatment goals.
Engage patients in therapeutic activities, including exercise, games, and community outings.
Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
Modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude toward customers.
Acknowledge and work to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met.
Recognize and prioritize patient safety.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.