The Broadlawns Medical Center campus includes an acute care hospital, primary and specialty care clinics, urgent care and emergency services, lab, radiology, dentistry, inpatient and outpatient mental health, crisis team, and community-based behavioral support services. Broadlawns accepts all forms of insurance and its approach to healthcare and quality outcomes earned a Level 3 rating from the National Committee for Quality Assurance, the highest achievable status for a medical delivery model.

We are a safety net hospital and our Patients are our North Star! With a dedicated staff of over 160 physicians and 1,600 employees, Broadlawns Medical Center ensures that our community has access to high quality healthcare that is coordinated, compassionate and cost-effective. We provide our employees a top-rated benefits package, supportive work culture, and more! 

Activities Specialist

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision of the Nursing Director, responsible for developing and implementing therapeutic group activities based on identified patient needs and providing direct care for Inpatient Mental Health patients. Activities Specialists are an active and integral part of the interdisciplinary team. 

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES

1.   Maintains the standards of nursing care and implements the standards, policies, and procedures of the Medical Center and Nursing Services.

2.   Demonstrates service excellence according to the Mental Health Unit plan.

3.   Develops interdisciplinary therapeutic group activities based on identified patient needs. 

4.   Works with team members to identify the patients’ needs. 

5.   Encourages patients to set goals for each activity and documents progress towards meeting those goals. 

6.   Provides one-to-one interactions with patients unable to tolerate scheduled group activities. 

7.   Interacts with patients in a warm compassionate manner.

8.   Helps maintain a safe milieu for all patients and staff. 

9.   Responds to behavioral emergencies (Code Green) throughout the medical center. 

10.   Identifies actual and potential crisis situations and initiates de-escalating techniques. 

11.   Provides hands on care to patients who demonstrate dangerous aggressive or violent behavior.

12.   Assists the RN in providing basic nursing care following the nursing care plan for all patients. Monitors patients and assists as directed by the RN and supervisor. 

13.   Assists clients with more complex mental health problems during mealtimes, and observes and documents nutritional intake. 

14.   Assists patients with activities of daily living encouraging independence; and assists patients with admission and discharge process. 

15.   Sets limits on patients’ behaviors under the direction of the RN and Supervisor.

16.   Assists with safety rounds and ensures that the area is maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe condition; helps supervisors with problems that have developed; requisitions required supplies and materials.

17.   Performs other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of duties listed above.

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

1.   Provides therapeutic communication with patients in one to one and small group interactions.

2.   Accurately selects, creates or adapts therapeutic activity consistent with the needs of the patient as evidenced by age appropriate and developmentally appropriate activity choices.

3.   Creates and adheres to a weekly calendar of events which is posted for patients and staff.

4.   Maintains tracking and reporting of patient participation in activities/groups.

5.   Uses evidence based practice to manage aggressive behavior.

6.   Maintains the therapeutic milieu to reduce episodes of restraint or seclusion while at the same time providing for both staff and patient safety.

7.   Accurately provides therapeutic experiences that promote patient growth and skill development as evidenced through patient progress in activities involved.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1.   High school diploma or GED.

2.   Completed at least two years of college in Therapeutic Recreation, Human Services or related field. 

3.   At least one year or recent experience as a recreational therapist aid, activity specialist, psychiatric technician or similar.

4.   Ability to complete required computer training.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1.   Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation, mental health or related field.

2.   Certification from the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

3.   Bilingual.

4.   Two years of experience as a psychiatric technician.

5.   Two years of recent experience as a recreational therapist, program specialist, activity specialist or similar.

Work Shift

11a-7p (United States of America)

Benefits (FT/PT) 

• Retirement - IPERS 
• Education Assistance 
• Employee Health & Wellness 
• PTO 
• Free Parking
• Health Insurance 
• Supplemental Insurance 
• 529 College Savings Plan 
• And more! 

Broadlawns Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer