Activity Therapist Forensics

Position

Activity Therapist I (Forensics)

About Us

You are passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking an Activity Therapist I, who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.

Location

SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, G. Werber Bryan/Forensics, 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia SC 29203

Role Overview

As the Activity Therapist I, under general supervision of the Activity Therapy Director and direct supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor, you will serve as the secondary activity therapist providing a comprehensive recreational therapy program for mentally ill patients. You will utilize knowledge in behavioral health for treatment of adult, dually diagnosed psychiatric and behavioral health patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate goal-oriented groups and leisure activities for adult patients based on individual needs and recommendations from treatment team.
• Assist AT II with researching materials for groups and activity ideas. (A.T. I will conduct a minimal of 18.5 active treatment hours per week).
• Complete individual activity therapy service assessment on each assigned patient; provide weekly progress notes which indicate patient attendance, patient behavior, emotional state, and changes in mental status.
• Provide assessment and documentation coverage for adult patients in times of staffing shortage.
• Complete written and electronic medical records documentation related to treatment goals on assigned patients. (Minimal caseload 8-10 patients).
• Comply with performance improvement and infection control measures.
• Be knowledgeable of directives, policies and procedures that meet OMH, BPH for accrediting standards and regulations.
• Provide pertinent feedback and input to treatment team regarding patients' progress, involvement, and schedules.
• Attend and participate in treatment team meetings.
• Recommend appropriate patient groups.
• Submit information for the master treatment plan as it relates to assigned patients and groups, providing timely, accurate documentation as required.
• Record statistical data on a daily basis and submit monthly statistical report to Activity Therapy Supervisor.
• Assist with planning, coordinating, implementing, evaluating evening, weekend, holiday leisure activities and special/seasonal events.
• Assist with educating interns/students, volunteers. (A minimal 4 leisure activities/events monthly; 4 special events yearly).
• Attend activity therapy meetings to provide and obtain information on patients.
• Attend in-service training and workshops to keep therapy skills current.
• Provide in-service to staff regarding specialized areas of knowledge as requested.
• Maintain and demonstrate competency in BEST, CPR, Infection Control, Safety and Risk Management, Patient Rights, MIS, Corporate Compliance and Cultural Competence, completes Pathlore modules.
• Conduct safety checks and maintains facilities equipment and supplies.
• Observe and comply with rules, regulations and policies.
• Meets with Activity Therapy Supervisor monthly.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in recreation with emphasis in therapeutics, art, physical & leisure education, exercise science, health, music, health science, sports management, human performance, fine arts.
• Knowledge of behavior/level of functioning of adult patients.
• Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with adult/geriatric psychiatric patients, other departments and professionals.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 fifty pounds, push a wheelchair, stand, walk for long period of time, climb, maneuver patients in wheelchairs, walkers; able to work outdoors, drive at night, work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays; work inclement weather (all employees are considered essential staff).
• Ability to push, pull, bend, and stoop.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
• Certification with the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation or eligibility for certification

Post Hire Requirements

• Have knowledge and skills of principles, practices, objectives of therapeutic recreation in group settings.
• Have knowledge of state, federal regulations, current guidelines, policies, procedures, policies related to TR and patients in a psychiatric hospital.
• Have ability to work cooperatively and effectively with adult/geriatric psychiatric patients, other departments, and professionals.

Equal Opportunity

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on…