Activity Therapist

Acadia Healthcare•Madison, WI

About The Position

Plan, direct, and implement activity therapy programs as a component of patients’ treatment plans. Assess patients’ needs, skills, interests, and limitations, then develop and deliver therapeutic activities that support treatment goals and promote mental and physical well-being. Activities may include therapeutic leisure, exercise, games, community outings, sports, dance, music, art, and relaxation techniques. Help patients develop social skills needed to become or remain independent, and adapt activities to the needs of specific groups. Maintain a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude, address patient complaints, and prioritize patient safety. Perform other duties as assigned. Management may add or remove duties as circumstances require. The employer provides equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable laws.

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.
Current CTRS certification or currently in the process of obtaining national certification; or certification in the area of specialty (Art, Dance, Music, etc.); or clinical professional licensure (LCPC, LPC, etc.) with certification in an expressive therapy area.
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 interviews with patients and families to identify needs, skills, interests, and limitations.
Plan, organize, direct, and implement activities within treatment programs to support patient progress toward treatment goals.
Plan and deliver programs that include therapeutic leisure skills and activities, leisure education, and leisure awareness.
Facilitate activity sessions to improve patients’ mental and physical well-being.
Instruct patients in activities and techniques, including sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation, suited to their needs.
Develop treatment plans and activity interventions that reflect patients’ needs and interests and help them achieve treatment goals.
Engage patients in therapeutic activities such as 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.
Prioritize patient safety.
Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.