Activity Therapist

LifePoint Behavioral Health is seeking a passionate, creative and goal-oriented Activities Therapist to join the team at Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital, a 150-bed free standing hospital in Holyoke, MA. Lifepoint offers a collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and professional development opportunities so you can focus on what really matters - providing quality patient care. Do not miss the opportunity to join our team and build a career that touches lives.

Job Summary:

AT serves as a member of the interdisciplinary team to provide recreational and activity services to patients hospitalized for treatment of substance abuse, dual diagnosis, or psychiatric or emotional disorders. AT plans, organizes and directs medically approved recreation programs, including such activities as sports, dramatics, games, arts and crafts to assist patients to develop interpersonal relationships, to socialize effectively, and to develop confidence needed to participate in group activities. AT regulates content of the programs in accordance with patients' capabilities, needs, interests and treatment plan.

Job Responsibilities:

• Applies appropriate theory and standards for decision and actions regarding therapeutic practices.

• Assesses patient needs utilizing cultural, religious, and physical disabilities, in the determination of capabilities in groups and with specific activities.

• Documents the patient's response to interventions pertinent to patient treatment on daily/weekly progress status, as appropriate.

• Completes all assessments within the time frame allotted and contributes to assessment workload balance between therapists.

• Formulates the initial and subsequent treatment programs in accordance with the attending physician's/licensed practitioner's treatment orders.

• Develops a plan of care with specific and measurable goals, objectives, and interventions defining actions unique to each patient's needs.

• Provides therapy treatment procedures according to the treatments plan, communicate, and work with the patient to achieve the greatest benefit and resolution.

• Maintains constant communication with the physician/licensed practitioner when patient is not responding the treatments.

• Contributes to the effective functioning of the patient's program. Understands the age differences and the corresponding developmental needs.

• Provides activities suitable to the patient's needs and offers a variety of stimuli in accordance with the treatment plan.

• Maintains a quality program to satisfy the therapeutic needs of the patient. Offers direction and education to maintain clear communication of expectations.

• Provides quality programming to support the objectives of the patient and their families.

• Reassesses when there are significant changes in the patient's condition in compliance with facility policy.

• Contributes to treatment planning with feedback to nursing and program staff to achieve therapeutic interventions.

• Updates and revises plan as goals/objectives are met or when the patient's condition changes.

• Provides direction to nursing staff regarding activity related groups.

• Attends all treatment teams with input into patient's AT goals.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institute in Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, or similar field and/or relevant licensure or certification per state of practice guidelines.

Experience: Previous experience in a psychiatric health care facility, with direct experience working with chemical dependency, dual diagnosis, psychiatric and geriatric patients preferred.

License: Current unencumbered certification/license/registration required.

Additional Requirements: CPR certification and Crisis Prevention Training (CPI) within 30 days. May be required to work flexible hours and overtime.