Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist Float - Temporary

Stony Brook University • Stony Brook, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

At Stony Brook Medicine, the Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist is a member of the care team who plans and conducts therapeutic activities for individual patients and patient groups, independently or as part of a treatment team or program. Therapeutic recreation supports people with disabilities and other limitations in developing a leisure lifestyle that promotes functional independence, health, and well-being through treatment, education, and participation. Functional therapeutic activities take place in clinical, community, and residential treatment settings. Programs aim to produce positive changes in patients’ mental, physical, and/or social behavior and may include life-skills training and leisure activities.

The specialist monitors and evaluates patient responses and progress, collaborates with the interdisciplinary treatment team, documents attendance and progress, and helps maintain a safe and comfortable therapeutic environment. The role also participates in the hospital’s Crisis Prevention Team rotation, serving patients across medical, surgical, psychiatric, and other hospital units. Crisis-prevention duties include verbal de-escalation and, when applicable, physical interventions and manual restraints, following required training.

This is a temporary float position. The successful candidate must frequently travel through hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors, transport and lift patients as needed, respond to alarms and codes, communicate potential safety concerns and requests for assistance, and may restrain agitated or restrained patients. The position may require respiratory protection and may be designated essential during institutional emergencies. Hospital positions may be subject to changes in pass days and shifts as necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a functional therapeutic activities area, such as Recreational Therapy, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, or a related field.
• At least one year of full-time experience planning and administering a therapeutic program involving development and coordination of activities for psychiatric patients or residents, people with developmental disabilities, people with physical challenges, or people receiving chemical-dependency treatment in a hospital, health care, or related facility.
• Current or previous PMCS or similar crisis-prevention training.
• Superior verbal calming and de-escalation skills.
• Person-centered, trauma-sensitive, and recovery-focused care philosophy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to teach in informal and classroom settings.
• Willingness to travel to provide or participate in education and training events as needed to develop PMCS training and coaching skills.
• Ability to frequently move through hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors; assist with patient transport and lifting; respond to alarms and codes; and use physical interventions and restraints when necessary.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination and medical clearance from Stony Brook Medicine Employee Health Services.
• Completion of an electronic reference check with at least three professional references.
• Successful completion of a four-panel drug screen and applicable pre-employment regulatory screenings.
• Provide copies of any required New York State licenses or certificates before the start date.

Nice To Haves

• Five years of experience.
• Two years of specialty experience in Acute Psychiatry.
• Current certification or license associated with the field of study.
• Experience or training in crisis management, crisis prevention, and associated training.

Responsibilities

• Promote, plan, and conduct programs and activities within the specialist’s field as directed.
• Monitor and evaluate patient responses to programs and activities and inform the treatment team of patient requests and responses.
• Maintain an inventory of relevant supplies and inform the supervisor of supply needs.
• Prepare activity areas to support patient comfort, safety, and therapeutic benefit.
• Supervise adjunct staff and students when necessary.
• Evaluate patients’ progress and status and collaborate with the treatment team to provide programs that meet their therapeutic needs.
• Coordinate with nursing, social work, therapy staff, and other disciplines to support comprehensive patient care.
• Document attendance statistics, progress notes, and patient progress; share relevant patient information with other departments and care staff as needed.
• Participate in the Crisis Prevention Team rotation, serving patients across hospital units and working with the interdisciplinary medical team.
• Complete Preventing and Managing Crisis Situation (PMCS) training as part of orientation.
• Attend PMCS Train the Trainer training to become an instructor, if applicable.
• Attend regional Six Core Strategies training when offered and develop coaching and mentoring skills when offered.
• Use verbal de-escalation skills learned in PMCS as part of crisis prevention.
• Use appropriate physical skills and interventions, including manual restraints, when applicable and in accordance with PMCS training.
• Respond to alarms and codes, identify and communicate situations that may cause harm, and respond to requests for assistance.
• Assist with patient transport, lifting, and restraint-related movement as necessary.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits, including generous leave, health insurance, and participation in the state pension system.
• Some positions may include location pay for eligible full-time UUP, CSEA, and PEF positions.
• Some positions may include shift differentials or other supplemental pay.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level