Activity Therapist

Full time and Per Diem available: Weekdays, Weekends, and Holiday availability required

Shift Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM 

Position Overview 

The Activity, Recreational, or Occupational Therapist functions under the Director of Social Services to plan, develop, coordinate, and implement therapeutic treatment programs and activities tailored to meet the needs and interests of each patient in the facility. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Implement rehabilitation activity groups for patients as needed.
• Conduct activity groups and services of the Recreation Therapy Treatment Program, including assessments, group notes, 1:1 sessions, treatment planning, and discharge planning.
• Maintain quality verbal reporting and written documentation of patient involvement and progress.
• Coordinate treatment and unit activities with other programs and multidisciplinary staff.
• Monitor safety and order in rehabilitation group rooms and unit areas.
• Provide feedback on department and program policies and procedures.
• Represent Recreation Therapy on facility committees and in interactions with patients’ families and support systems.
• Document admissions, discharges, group participation, and complete screenings and treatment plan interventions within required timeframes.
• Attend multidisciplinary treatment planning meetings.
• Provide individual leisure counseling and discharge planning as needed.
• Complete data collection for performance improvement activities.
• Keep assigned areas clean, orderly, and safe.
• Supervise and advise RT interns.
• Work designated holidays as required.

 Qualifications 

• Ability to read, write, and communicate fluently in English
• Bachelor’s degree in occupational, therapeutic recreation, art, music, or drama therapy required.  
• Minimum of two (2) years of direct service experience working with acute behavioral health in an inpatient 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
• Current CPR, BLS, and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days of employment
• Demonstrate understanding and be compliant with Patients' Rights, LPS Statutes, and Seclusion and Restraint Protocols.

• 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
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care principles and culturally responsive practices

Environmental Requirements 

• Depending on assignment of position may be required to work in a locked unit with juveniles, formerly incarcerated, and individuals assigned to guardianship who have complex social, and psycho-social needs; may be assigned to evening or night shift, assigned to work weekends, and to work holidays as needed as Ocean View is a 24-hour, 7 day a week facility and coverage is essential; environment can be noisy and sporadically chaotic, and may be exposed to hostile patients and profanity.

Special Conditions 

• 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
• Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or variable shifts as needed, based on operational or patient care needs