Activity Therapist I (WSHPI)

Activity Therapist I

Are you 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.

This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, William S. Hall, 220 Faison Drive, Columbia, SC 29203.

As the Activity Therapist I, working under the supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor, you will plan, organize, coordinate, conduct and implement a comprehensive program of goal-oriented referral groups and leisure activities/events that meet the recovery needs of patients admitted to an acute care facility. Responsibilities for the Activity Therapist I:

• Plan, organize, coordinate, implement, and conduct goal oriented assigned Activity Therapy groups, sessions, activities and activities. Serve as secondary therapist in the absence of the primary therapist.
• Observe, interview and prepare timely written and electronic medical records documentation related to treatment goals on assigned patients, identifying interests, skills and problem areas. Submit calendars, requisitions, statistical reports as requested and/or needed. Comply with Performance Improvement and Infection Control measures. Knowledgeable of directives, policies, and procedures that meet OMH and BPH for accrediting standards and regulations.
• Provide pertinent feedback and input to Treatment Team regarding patients' progress, involvement, schedules, etc. Provide and ensure accurate, timely documentation for Treatment Team meetings; provide information regarding the patients's goals, outcomes, interests, activity involvement, behavior, and performance on Master Treatment Plan (MTP) and update before Treatment Team meetings. Provide signature on Master Treatment Plan (MTP) and update before finalization. Communicate with supervisor, coordinator and lodge staff regarding schedules, changes, coverage and concerns. Attend Treatment Team meetings only as requested and with prior supervisory approval.
• Plan, coordinate implement, evening, weekend, holiday and leisure activities and special/seasonal events.
• Attend and participate in Activity Therapy Service and mandatory meetings, relevant committees, educational in-services, workshop trainings, conferences and other appropriate meetings as required.
• Maintain facilities equipment and supplies. Inventory and submit requisitions for supplies, equipment, food orders, repairs, etc. Observe and comply with rules, regulations and policies.

Additional requirements:

• Possess a valid SC driver's license.
• Be able to push, pull, lift and climb
• Be able to work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, inclement weather conditions (as requested).
• Be flexible and willing to work with all genders and populations in the BPH Adult, Child and Adolescent and Forensic service areas.

Minimum and additional requirements:

• A high school diploma and relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree in physical education, recreation or a related field may be substituted for the required experience.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree in recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutics, Art, Physical and Leisure Education, Exercise Science, Health, Music, Horticulture, Library Science, Sociology, Sports management, Psychology, Human Performance, Fine Arts or a bachelor's degree in the aforementioned field and one (1) year of experience.

Post hire, employee must:

• Have knowledge, ability, skills of principles, practices objectives of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) in group setting.
• Have knowledge of state, and federal regulations, current guidelines, policies and procedures related to TR and patients in a psychiatric hospital.
• Have skills in planning. organizing, and implementing TR programs.
• Have skills in expressing ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.
• Be able to drive/operate state vehicles.
• Demonstrate acceptable attendance and punctuality, rarely being tardy for work.
• Maintain a satisfactory attendance record and proactively communicates with the supervisor if running late or unable to attend work (submits the appropriate documentation for planned and unplanned leave in a timely manner).
• Adhere to one hour lunch period.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.