Activity Therapist, Dog Handler, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Grants with Benefits

Jackson Health•Miami, FL

11d

About The Position

The Activity Therapist plans and implements specific therapy treatment programs for assigned patients and functions as an integral member of the treatment team. The role includes assessing patients’ psychosocial and developmental needs, planning and coordinating individual and group activity therapy, documenting care and treatment responses, educating patients and significant others, and communicating relevant changes to the treatment team. The therapist also supports patient rights and safety, participates in unit activities, and may orient new personnel or serve as a preceptor when delegated.

Requirements

Generally requires 3 to 5 years of related experience.
Knowledge of recreational fields and ability in adaptive sports, personal fitness, arts and crafts, self-awareness groups, adventure-based therapy, and leisure skills.
Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure.
Ability to understand and follow instructions.
Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment.
Knowledge and skill in using job-appropriate technology and software applications.
American Heart Association certification and any additional applicable Healthcare Provider life support certification may be required at the unit level upon hire; required certifications must have at least six months of validity and be maintained at JHS during employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.

Responsibilities

Recognize patients’ psychosocial development levels and adapt approaches and interview techniques to their chronological and developmental ages.
Complete initial assessments within three days of admission and reassess patients daily.
Establish priorities and evaluate patient care using patient records and observation.
Plan a four-week work schedule when requested by the Program Director.
Complete QA/QI activities as requested by the Program Director.
Review and evaluate care plans and update each shift on patients’ progress toward resolving problems.
Provide ongoing individualized instruction to patients and/or significant others about the plan of care, and document their ability to verbalize understanding.
Report pertinent changes in patient status to appropriate treatment team members within thirty minutes.
Use effective de-escalation measures as alternatives to seclusion or restraint.
Collect and document patient information, including physiological, psychological, and socioeconomic needs, and communicate findings according to policy.
Document interventions, patient status, treatment response, unusual events, and planned interventions, including legible signature, time, date, and credentials.
Orient new personnel and serve as a preceptor when delegated by the Program Director.
Explain procedures and treatments to patients and/or significant others each time they occur.
Observe the legal rights of mental health patients and demonstrate knowledge of patient rights under the Baker Act.
Recognize signs and symptoms of child, adult, or elderly abuse and report findings to the appropriate agency according to policy and procedure.
Participate in patient community meetings and regularly conduct Medication Groups.
Plan, implement, and coordinate daily individual and group activity therapy treatment sessions.
Plan and coordinate special holiday events and activities.
Perform other related duties as required.
Demonstrate service excellence and CARE values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Expertise.