Salary: $32,686.00 - $60,471.00 AnnuallyLocation : Richland County, SCJob Type: FTE - Full-TimeJob Number: 170202Agency: Department of Mental Health-Inpatient ServicesOpening Date: 10/17/2024Closing Date: 11/10/2024 11:59 PM EasternClass Code:: EB45Position Number:: 60011050; 60018124; 60007454; 60014052Normal Work Schedule:: OtherPay Band: Band 4Opening Date: 10/10/2024EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity EmployerAgency Specific Application Procedures:: You must apply on-line at www.careers.sc.gov. Follow the status of your application on-line.Normal Work Schedule (Other):: The work schedule will be Monday - Friday from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm or 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.Job Responsibilities With our Agency's mission to support the recovery of people with mental illnesses, we provide a complete array of medical and support services for children, adults, and families throughout South Carolina.This position is located at the Department of Mental Health - Division of Inpatient Services, 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203.As the Activity Therapist I, working under general supervision of the Activity Therapy Director and Direct supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor, you will serve as Secondary Activity Therapist providing a comprehensive Recreational Therapy Program for mentally ill patients. You will utilize knowledge in behavioral health for treatment of adult, dually diagnosed psychiatric and behavioral health patients.Responsibilities for this Activity Therapist I include but are not limited to:
- Develops and coordinates goal-oriented groups and leisure activities for adult patients based on individual needs and recommendations from treatment team. Assists AT II with researching materials for groups and activity ideas. (A.T. I will conduct a minimum of 18.5 active treatment per week).
- Completes individual Activity Therapy Service Assessment on each assigned patient; provides weekly progress notes which indicate patient attendance, patient behavior, emotional state, and changes in mental status. Provides assessment and documentation coverage for adult patients in times of staffing shortage. Completes written and electronic medical records documentation related to treatment goals on assigned patients. (Minimal caseload 8-10 patients).
- Complies with Performance Improvement and Infection Control measures. Knowledgeable of directives, policies and procedures that meet DMH, BPH for accrediting standards and regulations.
- Provides pertinent feedback and input to Treatment Team regarding patients' progress, involvement, and schedules. Attends and participates in Treatment Team meetings. Recommends appropriate patient groups. Submits information for the Master Treatment Plan as it relates to assigned patients and groups, providing timely accurate documentation as required. Records statistical data on a daily basis and submits monthly statistical report to Activity Therapy Supervisor.
- Assists with planning, coordinating, implementing, evaluating evening, weekend, holiday leisure activities and special/seasonal events. Assists with educating interns/students, volunteers. (A minimum of 4 leisure activities/events monthly; 4 special events yearly).
- Attends Activity Therapy meetings to provide and obtain information on patients. Attends in-service training and workshops to keep therapy skills current. Provides in-service to staff regarding specialized areas of knowledge as requested. Maintains and demonstrates competency in BEST, CPR, Infection Control, Safety and Risk.
- Management, Patient Rights, MIS, Corporate Compliance and Cultural Competence, completes Path lore modules.
- Conducts safety checks and maintains facilities' equipment and supplies. Observes and complies with rules, regulations and policies.
Minimum and Additional Requirements State Minimum Requirements: A high school diploma and relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree in physical education, recreation or a related field may be substituted for the required experience. Agency (Facility) Minimum Requirements: A bachelor's degree in Recreation with emphasis in Therapeutics, Art, Physical and Leisure Education, Exercise Science, Health, Music, Health Science, Sports Management, Human Performance, Fine Arts. Knowledge of behavioral/level of functioning of adult patients.Note:If any Agency Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those requirements to be considered for the position. Preferred Qualifications Certification with the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation or eligibility for certification. Additional Comments The selected candidate must have knowledge of behavior/level of functioning of adult patients. Knowledge, abilities, skills of principals, practices, objectives of Therapeutic Recreation (TR) in groups settings. Knowledge of state, federal regulations, current guidelines, policies, procedures, policies related to TR and patients in psychiatric hospital. Knowledge of the basic concepts for assessing patients, developing, and conducting therapeutic groups, developing therapeutic goals and interventions for adult/geriatric psychiatric patients. Skills in planning, organizing, implementing TR programs. Ability to comprehend, interpret, and implement electronic documentation. Skills in expressing ideas clearly and concisely, electronically, orally and in writing. Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with adult/geriatric psychiatric patients, other departments, and professionals. Possess a valid SC Driver's License. Ability to drive/operate state vehicles. Possess the skills to perform a variety of physical activities at moderate level; physical sports, aerobics, exercise, aquatics. Ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds, push, pull, bend, stoop, push a wheelchair, stand, walk for long period of time, climb, maneuver patients in wheelchairs, walkers; ability to work outdoors, drive at night, work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays; work inclement weather (all employees are considered essential staff).The South Carolina Department of Mental Health is an Equal Employment Opportunity Agency. We provide affirmative action and equal opportunity in employment for all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex - including the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, national origin, age, religion, or disability. South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. Please account for any and all gaps of employment in your application. A resume will not be accepted in lieu of application completion nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position. The South Carolina Department of Mental Health offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:
- Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
- 15 days annual (vacation) leave accrual per year
- 15 days sick leave per year
- 13 paid holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs
Benefits for State EmployeesThe state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies. Insurance BenefitsEligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses. Retirement BenefitsState employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options. Workplace BenefitsState employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more. Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.01 Have you ever been employed by the SC Department of Mental Health?
02 If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record.) This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application.PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION WILL DEEM YOUR APPLICATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below.
- Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.
03 Have you ever held a permanent (full-time equivalent) position with a SC state agency and/or been an employee of a SC school district?
04 Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in Recreation with emphasis in Therapeutics, Art, Physical and Leisure Education, Exercise Science, Health, Music, Health Science, Sports Management, Human Performance, Fine Arts AND one (1) year of experience in working with adults?
05 Are you certified by the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation or eligible for certification?
06 For the Department of Mental Health, have you been denied a professional license, or had a professional license revoked or limited by, and/or had any discipline or sanction imposed on you or your practice by a professional licensing board or body?
07 If you answered Yes to the question above, please provide a statement explaining the facts, name of the professional licensing board or body, any action taken by the board or body and your current status with that board or body. 08 How did you hear about our vacancy?
- SC State jobs portal/careers.sc.gov
- Simply Hired
- Indeed
- College/Alumni Career Services Center
- Friend/Relative
- Current DMH Employee
- Other (commercials, billboards, emails, ads, etc.) - Please specify.
09 If you answered Current DMH Employee or Other for question above, please list name/source below: 10 Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put negotiable or open ). Required Question