ACTIVITY THERAPIST
 Universal Health Services | |
paid time off, tuition reimbursement, 401(k)
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 United States, New Jersey, Summit | |
| 19 Prospect Street (Show on map) | |
 Mar 14, 2026 | |
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Responsibilities
Summit Oaks Hospital, a 126 bed, private acute care hospital and chemical dependency treatment center, located in a picturesque suburban setting, fully accredited (by the Joint Commission), has been providing quality health care to adult, child and adolescent northeastern USA residents, since 1902.Summit Oaks has repeatedly been recognized in U.S. News & World Report, as one of the nation's best behavioral health hospitals. Much more online at: https://summitoakshospital.com/ Our Therapeutic Activities Therapist position presents an ideal opportunity for an energetic, motivated individual with prior experience working with patients with behavioral health or addictions diagnosis. The Therapeutic Activities Therapist functions as an active part of the treatment team, providing continuous patient care, supervision, interaction, role modeling, and monitoring patients ranging in age from preschool through geriatrics , depending on the nursing unit assigned. At present, the nursing units include a 28 bed adult psych unit, a 28 bed adult dual diagnosis, a 22 bed child and adolescent unit , a 24 bed detox unit and a 20 bed rehab unit. About Universal Health Services One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues were $14.3 billion in 2023. During the year, UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America's Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 96,700 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located all over the U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. www.uhs.com Position Summary: The Therapeutic Activities Therapistis responsible forplanning and implementing activity services for assigned program, which involves defining and implementing treatment goals as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and providing continuous patient care, observation, interaction, and role modeling to patients. Qualifications Education: Bachelor's Degree (Required) Certification, licensure, and/or Board Certification by state and/or national governing body in art therapy (Preferred) Related Work Experience: 1-3 years (Required) Specialized Skills and Knowledge: 1. Knowledge in one or more program disciplines (i.e.art, occupational, recreation, and/or music, expressive, dance therapy). 2. Knowledge of psychiatric care techniques. 3. Knowledge of assaultive behavior management techniques. 4. Thorough knowledge and training in CPR, preferred. 5. Knowledge of adolescent and adult program rules and protocols. 6. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workloads to meet deadlines. 7. Ability to speak and write fluently in English language. 8. Visual acuity is needed foraccuratereading of patient charts and fordemonstratingactivities orassistingpatients in activities. 9. Effective oral and written communication skills. 10. Ability to communicate effectively with patients and co-workers. 11. Ability to accept direction and adhere to safety policies and procedures. 12. Ability to recognize the importance of adapting to the various patient age groups (adolescent, adult and geriatric). 13. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and tolerate a variety of repetitive tasks. 14. Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations. 15. Ability to work in an environment where the noise level isfrequentlyhigh; where chemicals arefrequently used for cleaning; where mechanical and electrical hazards may be occasionally present; and where dust, mist and steam are frequentlygenerated in housekeeping tasks. 16. Performs other duties as assigned/required by this position. Essential Job Duties/Responsibilities: 1. Demonstrate responsibility for observation and application of sound judgment in patients' physical and mental condition/needs. 2. Observe and document changes in patients' appearance, behavior, and ability to work towards treatment plan goals. 3. Communicate changes inpatient'scondition to Charge Nurse or Program Coordinator. 4. Provides assessment in psychosocial/leisure and recreational skills development/deficiency. 5. Ensuretimelydocumentation of interventions and ensure interventions are based on the patient's plan of care. 6. Applyappropriate crisisintervention techniques, asrequired. 7. Assistpatients in achieving theiroptimumlevel of independent functioning. 8. Document servicesrendered in accordance withestablished criteria. 9. Maintain current documentation in weekly progress notes, including the patient's name, date, name of therapeutic group/intervention, and summary of the session. 10. Effectively plans andimplementstherapeutic activity groups for assigned patient case load within the facility, as well as outside the hospital asrequired. 11. Monitor therapeutic space, supplies and equipment andensuresthey are kept in a clean,orderlyand safe condition. 12. Utilize advanced knowledge of counseling and therapeutic concepts and methods fordeterminingtherapeutic services for psychiatric and chemically dependent patients. 13. Demonstrate knowledge of group dynamics as well as therapy and practice of group processing. 14. Demonstrate excellent guest relations in communication and cooperation,assistingpatients, licensed practitioners, co-workers, and visitors in a prompt and courteous manner. 15. Act as a patient advocate andassurespatient rights are upheld. 16. Reporttherapeutic services charges daily, substantiating any changes in the treatment notes. 17. Attend program meetings andmaintainrelated records. 18. Provide direction, education, andinserviceto other unit personnelregardingTherapeutic Activities Department. 19. Teach coping skills and stress management techniques to patients. 20. Provide pertinent feedback to the interdisciplinary treatment teamregardingpatient response to therapy, treatment interventions, and therapeuticobjectives, asappropriateand necessary. 21 Contribute to treatment plan with specific goals and interventions to be achieved in therapeutic activities. 22. Maintain knowledge of the Child Program rules, protocols and handbooks guidelines and maintain knowledge of children's stages of development and seek guidance from the nurse in charge when questions about the norms for behavior related to child development arise. 23. Demonstrate an awareness of learning disabilities and translates treatment/program expectations to thelearning disabledchild. 24. Relate to child patients in anage appropriatemanner. 25. Utilize seclusion and restraint procedures with an understanding of the need for modificationin regard tosmaller body sizes of children, abandonmentissuesand the history of physical and/or sexual abuseissue. 26. Recognize acting out behavior of adolescent specific age group and setappropriate limitsin clear, concise,behavioraland non-judgmental terms based on the age of the patient. 27. Maintain current knowledge of the Adult Program rules,protocolsand handbook guidelines. 28. Gather theappropriate informationfrom the patient,familyand interdisciplinary team and use therapeutic judgements based on knowledge of gerontological health/behavioral care practices to develop a comprehensive plan of care. 29. Maintain a complete knowledge of treatments,medicationsand side effects of such in the geriatric age group. 30. Collaborate with other chemical dependency staff professionals in planning for discharge and follow-up care. 31. Maintain confidentiality of facility employees and patient information. BENEFITS:
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