Activity Therapist

Activity Therapist

Columbus, Georgia Facility St. Francis-Emory Healthcare
Req ID 556982 Post Date 07/15/2026
Description

Become part of The Bradley Center, the psychiatric and behavioral health arm of the St. Francis - Emory Healthcare in Columbus, GA. As a dedicated mental health hospital, The Bradley Center complements St. Francis’s acute care offerings and shares in the system’s recognized commitment to quality, patient safety, and community trust. With the backing of a hospital network that earns multiple honors and accreditations, The Bradley Center is uniquely positioned to deliver specialized, compassionate psychiatric care in support of our region’s holistic well-being

Job Summary

The Activities Therapist is responsible for Activity Therapy Services. Coordinating and implementing needed therapeutic activities for patients on the Behavioral Health Unit. Supports and empowers staff to embrace the mission and value statement of the Behavioral Health Unit.

Essential Functions

• To perform this job, an individual must perform each essential function satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Performs all aspects of patient care in an environment that optimizes patient safety and reduces the likelihood of medical/health care errors.
• Interacts professionally with patients/families; treats patients and their families with respect and dignity. Identifies and addresses psychosocial, cultural, ethnic and religious/spiritual needs of patients and their families.
• Effectively, appropriately and professionally interact and communicate with patients, physicians, family members and coworkers, demonstrating customer service excellence through application of positive language principles, appropriate response and use of constructive problem-solving techniques which foster positive outcomes.
• Participates in the interdisciplinary treatment process by:
• Clearly documents daily assessment findings in progress notes.
• Provide support for the unit staff and work cooperatively with all team members.
• Ensures recreation therapy activities meet the needs, interests and capabilities of the patients/ clients of the facility.
• Able to perform an appropriate assessment on all patients/clients as related to therapy requested. Performs evaluations of therapy treatment, and makes recommendations as needed.
• Makes recommendations for new recreational therapy methods and techniques; provides in-services to staff.
• Able to assess patient/client pain that may interfere with the optimal level of functioning or participation in rehabilitation. Makes appropriate physician contact for intervention.
• Consults with physicians, therapists, nursing staff and other departments to ensure an interdisciplinary approach to include recreational therapy for the benefit of the patient/client population. Participates in team treatment meetings.
• Engages patient/client in purposeful activity using therapeutic methods and goals, which are considered standard practice for Activity Therapy and are identified in the treatment plan.
• All documentation meets current standards and policies.
• Conducts assessment and establishes recreational therapy treatment goals and objectives to meet the individual needs of patients.
• Evaluates patient's progress and the effectiveness of recreational therapy interventions.
• Coordinates therapeutic recreation activities for both large and small groups to observe patient response and encourage socialization.
• Provides patient and patients’ family with information regarding leisure life styles and creates an awareness of recreational resources in their community.
• Assists in orientation and training of new staff/students as necessary.
• Stays current in field through continuing education, seminars/conferences/workshops, professional societies and journals
• Performs other reasonably related job duties as assigned or requested by the Program Director/Supervisor, within scope of practice

Qualifications

Education

• Associate Degree, Required
• Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Therapy or various creative therapies, preferred. *If degree is in another field, proof of experience is required.

Licenses/Certifications

• National Certification for Recreational or Activity Professionals; Music Therapy; Occupational Therapy; or Horticultural Therapy, preferred.
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification required within 90 days of hire or transfer.
• Certification in Non-Violent De-Escalation & Crisis Intervention Training required within 90 days of hire or transfer.

Experience/Skills

• Requirements will include successful completion of orientation checklist and skills/credentials/competency requirements of specific area of work.
• Must be physically mobile to access activity areas and conduct activities.
• Must be able to visually observe patient/client needs.
• Demonstrates the values of team concept on a consistent basis.
• Focused on prioritizing the patient’s clinical experience, maintaining a high awareness of patient satisfaction.
• Meticulous attention to detail with the ability to multi-task, while demonstrating proficient time management skills.
• Self-starter who needs no reminders of duties and tasks that need to be completed.
• Able to respond to and cope with emergency situations professionally and calmly.
• Focused, patient and calm, performing well under pressure in a stressful environment and able to take appropriate action.
• Must be flexible, responding to changes in work schedule, able to work as needed for appropriate departmental coverage.
• Must possess knowledge of computer operations and proficiency in the use of word processing, email, electronic medical records, information systems to include Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems and other similar software as required.
• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent written, verbal, communication, and presentation skills.
• Sufficient proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing the English language necessary to perform the essential functions of this job, especially with regard to activities impacting patient or employee safety or security. Additional languages preferred.