Activity Therapist Aide

Activity Therapist Aide

The Activity Therapist Aide provides support to the Activity Therapy Department in the delivery of structured, therapeutic, recreational, educational, and leisure-based programming for patients receiving inpatient behavioral health services. The Activity Therapist Aide assists Activity Therapists with preparing, facilitating, and maintaining therapeutic activities designed to promote socialization, coping skills, emotional expression, communication, leisure skills, and overall patient functioning.

The Activity Therapist Aide works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary treatment team and follows all hospital policies, procedures, safety standards, and clinical directives. The position requires consistent awareness of patient behaviors, appropriate professional boundaries, and the ability to maintain a safe and therapeutic milieu.

Essential Duties:

• Assist Activity Therapists with planning, preparing, and implementing scheduled therapeutic and recreational activities.
• Prepare activity areas, supplies, equipment, and materials prior to scheduled programming.
• Assist with facilitating groups and activities under the direction and supervision of the Activity Therapist.
• Encourage patient participation in therapeutic, recreational, social, educational, and leisure activities.
• Provide appropriate support and redirection to patients during activities while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Monitor patient participation, behavior, and engagement during assigned activities and communicate significant observations to the appropriate clinical staff.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and therapeutic environment during activity programming.
• Follow established patient safety procedures, including precautions related to contraband, environmental safety, and appropriate use of therapeutic equipment and supplies.
• Assist with maintaining an accurate inventory of activity supplies and notify the supervisor when supplies need to be replenished.
• Clean, organize, and sanitize activity areas and equipment according to hospital standards.
• Assist with setting up and breaking down activity programming spaces.
• Support the Activity Therapy Department in maintaining an organized schedule of daily programming.
• Assist with transporting or escorting patients to and from designated activity areas in accordance with hospital policy and patient safety requirements.
• Maintain confidentiality of patient information in accordance with HIPAA and hospital policies.
• Communicate appropriately and professionally with patients, families, coworkers, and members of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Report changes in patient behavior, safety concerns, incidents, or other significant observations to the appropriate licensed or supervisory staff.
• Attend required staff meetings, in-services, training, and educational programs.
• Demonstrate knowledge of and compliance with hospital policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and behavioral health safety standards.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Activity Therapy Director, Lead Activity Therapist, or designated supervisor.

Employee may perform other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the hospital.