Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist Float

Stony Brook University • Town of Brookhaven, NY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

At Stony Brook Medicine, a Functional Therapeutic Activities Specialist is a member of the treatment team who helps people with disabilities and other limitations develop leisure lifestyles that support functional independence, health, and well-being through treatment, education, and participation. Functional therapeutic activities take place in clinical, community, and residential treatment settings. The specialist plans and conducts activities for individual clients or patient groups, independently or as part of a treatment team or program, to encourage positive changes in mental, physical, and/or social behavior. The role includes leading life-skills training groups and leisure activities.

The position serves patients across hospital units, including medical, surgical, and psychiatric units, and collaborates with nursing, social work, therapy staff, and other members of the interdisciplinary medical team. The specialist participates in the Crisis Prevention Team rotation, uses verbal de-escalation and, when applicable, physical interventions and manual restraints, and documents patient attendance and progress.

The role requires frequent movement through hallways, patient rooms, and multiple floors; patient transport, lifting, and restraint-related duties may be required. The position may require respiratory protection, which may prohibit facial hair, and may be designated essential during institutional emergencies. Hospital positions may be subject to changes in pass days and shifts as needed. Candidates must complete pre-employment health clearance, reference and drug screening, regulatory checks, and provide copies of any required New York State licenses or certificates before starting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in functional therapeutic activities, 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 the development and coordination of therapeutic activities for psychiatric patients or residents, people with developmental disabilities, people who are physically challenged, or people receiving treatment for chemical dependency in a hospital, healthcare, or related facility.
• Have or have had previous PMCS or similar crisis-prevention training.
• Superior verbal calming and de-escalation skills.
• A person-centered, trauma-sensitive, and recovery-focused care philosophy.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to teach in informal and classroom settings.
• Willingness to travel for education and training events as needed to develop PMCS training and coaching skills.
• Ability to meet the position’s patient-service duties, including frequent movement across hallways, patient rooms, and floors, patient transport, responding to alarms and codes, and assisting with lifting and physical interventions 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 required New York State licenses or certificates, if applicable.

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 carry out programs and activities in 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 notify the supervisor of supply needs.
• Prepare activity areas to support patient comfort and safety and maximize therapeutic value.
• Supervise adjunct staff or students when necessary.
• Evaluate patient progress and status in functional therapeutic activities programs and collaborate with the treatment team to meet patient needs.
• Work with nursing, social work, therapy staff, and other care staff to provide comprehensive therapy and care.
• Document attendance statistics, progress notes, and patient progress; share relevant patient information with other departments and disciplines as needed.
• Participate in the Crisis Prevention Team rotation, serving patients across hospital units and working with the interdisciplinary medical team.
• Attend Preventing and Managing Crisis Situation (PMCS) training as part of orientation.
• Attend PMCS Train the Trainer training to become an instructor when applicable.
• Attend regional The 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 the crisis prevention team.
• Use PMCS physical skills and interventions to apply appropriate manual restraints when applicable.
• Respond to alarms and codes, identify and communicate potentially harmful situations, and respond to and communicate requests for assistance.
• Assist with patient transport and, as necessary, restrain agitated patients, apply restraints, move restrained patients, and help lift patients.
• Travel as needed to provide or participate in education and training events.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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