Activity Therapist - LIII

NYC Health + Hospitals/Coler is a certified 815-bed nursing facility with a 5-Star CMS Quality Rating located on Roosevelt Island, nestled between Manhattan and Queens. Coler offers long term and subacute care, rehabilitation, and a dedicated memory care unit, comprised of 150 beds featuring an acclaimed music and memory program. The facility features a robust rehabilitation therapy program with expansive gym space for residents. Coler also offers full time physician staff, psychiatry, dental services, an onsite 8-chair dialysis den for hemodialysis, and on-site medical clinics to meet the clinical needs of its residents.


From more than 600 Nursing Homes in New York, Coler ranks #10 in Newsweek's Best Nursing Homes in New York 2026; earned a high-performance rating for Long-Term Care and Short-term Rehabilitation from U.S. News & World Report's Best Nursing Homes in America 2026; and received a 2024 Silver Beacon Award for Memory Care.

At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.

Work Shifts

9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M
Sunday - Thursday

Provisional Appt

Duties & Responsibilities

POSITION OVERVIEW: (Primary Purpose of Position)

The Activity Therapist III serves as a vital clinical and creative leader within the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) department. This role is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our residents through evidence-based clinical assessments, individualized care planning, and the implementation of vibrant, age-appropriate programming. As a mentor and supervisor, the Activity Therapist II ensures that the spirit of Clinical Excellence and Compassionate Care is woven into every resident interaction.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (List in order of importance to role and time spent on function)

• Clinical Excellence & Assessment-40%
• Program Design & Implementation-20%
• Leadership & Supervision-10%
• Operations & Administration-10%

Clinical Excellence & Assessment

• Comprehensive Assessment: Conduct initial assessments and MDS 3.0 evaluations for residents upon admission, significant change and annually, ensuring all documentation aligns with facility policy and regulatory timelines.
• Care Planning: Design individualized treatment plans and quarterly progress notes based on resident history, cultural background, and physical/cognitive limitations.
• Clinical Integrity: Maintain precise clinical charts and documentation standards, ensuring all data accurately reflects the resident's therapeutic progress.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Represent Therapeutic Recreation (TR) services in Interdisciplinary Care Plan (IDCP) meetings and Patient Committees to ensure holistic resident care.

Program Design & Implementation

• Therapeutic Programming: Plan and execute age-appropriate therapeutic programs that reflect residents' leisure histories, preferences, and current abilities.
• Special Events & Outings: Coordinate community trips and large-scale special events, including unit celebrations, seasonal festivities, and holiday programming. May assist in Staff engagement activities.
• Environmental Management: Oversee the aesthetics of unit environments, including the maintenance of monthly calendars, bulletin boards, and seasonal decorations.
• Technological Integration: Implement the use of iPads, laptops, and other assistive technologies during 1:1 sessions and group activities to enhance resident engagement.

Leadership & Supervision

• Personnel Oversight: Supervise and mentor Activity Therapists (Levels I & II), Rehabilitation Technicians, and Community Liaisons to ensure high-quality service delivery. If needed will function as a Weekend Supervisor to oversee the day to day functioning of the department.
• Academic Mentorship: Act as a primary supervisor for college interns and volunteers, providing the necessary guidance for those pursuing professional credentials.
• Departmental Representation: Serve as a departmental lead during TR Week, educational seminars, or when interfacing with outside organizations.

Operations & Administration

• Resource Management: Manage the procurement and maintenance of program supplies and equipment, ensuring all materials are safe and age-appropriate.
• Data & Reporting: Input resident participation through ActivityPro as per department standards.
• Quality Improvement: Actively participate in Performance Improvement (PI) activities and safety management protocols, including pain management and infection control.
• Professional Communication: Adhere to departmental endorsement policies regarding medical conditions and maintain daily professional correspondence via facility email.

Minimum Qualifications
1. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by eighteen (18) credits in recreation, physical education, dance, fine arts, and/or applied arts (including therapy), and twelve (12) semester credits in psychology, social psychology, group work, group dynamics, and/or related discipline, and three (3) years of full-time experience in planning, coordinating and supervising a recreation activities program in a health care setting; or
2. Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, and four (4) years of full-time experience described in 1 above; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education, training and/or experience equivalent to 1 or 2 above. However, all candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree.

Benefits

NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
• Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
• Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
• Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
• College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
• College Savings Program
• Union Benefits for eligible titles
• Multiple employee discounts programs
• Commuter Benefits Programs

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.