RT assistant

Ocean view psychiatric hospital • Long Beach, CA

1d • $23 - $24 • Onsite

About The Position

The Recreational Assistant functions under the Director of Social Services to assist in planning, organizing, and leading engaging programs that promote socialization, physical movement, and cognitive stimulation for participants.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required
• Minimum of 2 years of direct service experience working with acute behavioral health or in an inpatient psychiatric hospital setting (internship or practicum hours may be considered)
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm, composed, and effective in high-stress or crisis situations.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills across disciplines and departments.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and standard keyboard functions for data entry and electronic documentation
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to read, write, and communicate fluently in English
• Current CPR, BLS, and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment
• Demonstrated sound professional judgment; clinical judgment where applicable to licensure/role.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Psychology, Therapeutic Recreation, or Behavioral Science preferred
• Prior experience using Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems for documentation and coordination of care
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Teams) and/or cloud-based communication platforms (e.g., Slack, Zoom)
• Bilingual in English and Spanish, or other languages commonly spoken by the patient population
• Crisis prevention/intervention training (e.g., HWC, CPI, PMAB) or de-escalation certification
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and culturally responsive practices

Responsibilities

• Assist RT Therapists with rehabilitation activity groups for patients.
• Develop creative ideas for games, crafts, music, exercises, and seasonal events.
• Confidently guide group activities like chair exercises, arts and crafts, trivia, and interactive games.
• Spend dedicated time providing companionship and individualized, low-stimulation activities for residents who prefer not to join large groups.
• Assist individuals with mobility need to safely travel to and from the activity spaces.
• Maintain a clean, hazard-free environment and supervise participants closely to prevent falls or injuries.
• Record daily attendance statistics and take brief notes on individual engagement levels.
• Observe participant moods, physical endurance, or cognitive shifts, and promptly log these updates for the nursing or care coordination staff.
• Conduct activity groups and services of the Recreation Therapy Treatment Program, including assessments, group notes, 1:1 sessions, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
• Represent Recreation Therapy on facility committees and in interactions with patients’ families and support systems.
• Attend multidisciplinary treatment planning meetings.
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or variable shifts as needed, based on operational or patient care needs.
• Demonstrate understanding and compliance with Patients' Rights, LPS Statutes, and Seclusion and Restraint Protocols.

Benefits

• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of Live Scan fingerprinting, background check clearance, and verification of required licenses, certifications, and education
• Satisfactory completion of professional reference checks
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; Ocean View does not provide visa sponsorship for certain roles unless otherwise specified
• Compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS), The Joint Commission, and HIPAA standards
• Compliance with all required health screenings and immunizations in accordance with regulatory guidelines and facility policy, which may include tuberculosis (TB) testing, N95 fit testing, annual trainings, and proof of vaccination for certain communicable diseases

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED