Activity Therapist, Dog Handler, Jackson Behavioral Health Hospital, Grants with Benefits

Miami, FL Full-Time Activity Therapy

Summary

The Activity Therapist is responsible for the planning and implementing of specific therapy treatment programs for assigned patients and functions as an integral part of the treatment team.

Responsibilities

Recognizes patient's level of psychosocial development and modifies approaches according to patient's chronological and developmental age. Modifies interview techniques to identify psychosocial needs common to all age, growth and developmental stages. Completes initial assessments within three (3) days of admission and reassesses daily. Establishes priorities and evaluates patient care utilizing data from patient care record and observation. Plans four week work schedule when requested by Program Director. Completes QA/QI activities as requested by Program Director. Reviews and evaluates the care plan and updates the patient's progress toward resolution of problems every shift. Provides individualized instruction to patient and/or significant others regarding the plan of care on an ongoing basis with written documentation of patient's and/or significant other's ability to verbalize understanding of information. Reports pertinent changes in patient's status to appropriate treatment team members within thirty minutes. Utilizes effective de-escalation measures as alternatives to seclusion/restraint. Participates in the collection and documentation of patient information, including physiological, psychological, and socioeconomic needs and communicates findings according to policy. Completes documentation of interventions including patient status, response to treatment, unusual events, and planned interventions. Enters signature, time, date, and credentials legibly on all charting. Orients new personnel and serves as preceptor as delegated by the Program Director. Explains all procedures and treatments to patients and/or significant other at each occurrence. Observes legal rights of mental health patients, demonstrating knowledge of patient's rights as described in the Baker Act. Recognizes signs/symptoms of child/adult/elderly abuse and reports findings to appropriate agency, in accordance with policies and procedures. Participates in patient community meetings and regularly conducts Medication Groups. Plans, implements and coordinates activity therapy treatment sessions for both individual and group sessions daily. Plans and coordinates special holiday events and activities. Performs other related duties as required. Demonstrates behaviors of service excellence and CARE values (Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Expertise).

Experience

Generally requires 3 to 5 years of related experience.

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field is preferred.

Skill

Knowledge in recreational fields and ability in adaptive sports, personal fitness, arts and crafts, self-awareness groups, adventure-based therapy, and leisure skills. Ability to analyze, organize and prioritize work accurately while meeting multiple deadlines. Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form. Ability to handle difficult and stressful situations with professional composure. Ability to understand and follow instructions. Ability to exercise sound and independent judgment Knowledge and skill in use of job appropriate technology and software applications.

Credentials

American Heart Association and any additional applicable life support certification for Healthcare Providers may be required at the unit level upon hire with at least 6 months validity and maintenance at JHS for the duration of employment.

Unit Specific Credential

Working Conditions

Physical Requirements - Job function requires extended standing or walking. Must be able to carry objects weighing 21 to 50 pounds. Able to lift or move objects weighing 51 to 100 pounds with the use of appropriate devices. Jobs in this group require frequent visual acuity to perform activities related to extended use of computers. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).

Environmental Conditions - Jobs in this group are required to function in a fast paced environment with occasional high pressure or emergent and stressful situations. Frequent interaction with a diverse population including team members, providers, patients, insurance companies and other members of the public. Function is subject to inside environmental conditions, with occasional outdoor exposures. Exposure to various environments such as: communicable diseases, toxic substances, medicinal preparations and other conditions common to a hospital and medical office environment. May also be exposed to needle sticks, airborne infections, medical gases, X-Ray, chemical exposures and other potential hazards. Must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when exposed to infectious/clinical hospital environment. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions. Additional information and provision requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by the home unit/department in collaboration with the Reasonable Accommodations Committee (RAC).