CREATIVE ARTS THERAPIST

DEFINITION :

Under direction of a physician and the Activities Director, plans and implements treatment to patients, employing professional therapeutic concepts, principles, practices, and modalities to promote recovery, adjustment, or to achieve the physical and mental rehabilitation of patients as well as to enhance the quality of their life on a continuous basis; does related work as required.

DUTIES :

Determines patient's interests, attitudes, needs, and abilities through interview and observation.

Creates an atmosphere which provides the opportunity for socialization and communication.

Plans therapeutic programs taking into consideration the emotional and physical needs of patients.

Guides patients in utilizing various therapeutic activities and alternatives.

Develops, organizes, and conducts therapeutic programs and activity groups throughout the week, covering the following topics : stress management, healthy coping skills, art, relaxation, music appreciation, social skills, leisure education, spirituality, nail care / grooming, leisure games, exercise, indoor / outdoor recreation, trivia and 1 : 1 visits as needed.

Organize special events / activities for patients in accordance with seasons / holidays.

Adapts games and equipment to promote healthy competition and exercise in accordance with patients’ abilities.

Sets up equipment and participates in activities when needed.

Requisitions supplies, cleans work areas, and transports supplies and equipment by cart when necessary.

Completes individual patient assessments, treatment care plans, weekly progress notes and daily group attendance documentation.

Observes patients in programs to maintain records of their participation / behavior and evaluates and determines long and short goals and plans for them.

Prepares information describing patient symptoms indicative of progress or regression for review with the treatment team.

REQUIREMENTS :

• Bachelor’s Degree and certification in related Creative Arts Therapy field (recreation, art, music, dance or drama)
• 2 years experience in the field of human services with focus on expressive therapies
• 2 years experience working with Psychiatric population
• Current BLS certification and successful completion of facility and department-specific orientation programs is required

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES :

Knowledge of and familiarity with approved concentrated creative arts therapy principles, procedures, techniques and group topics.

Knowledge of mental health diagnoses with implications for therapeutic group programming for individuals in a psychiatric in-patient setting.

Ability to plan, organize, and implement a variety of therapeutic activities for individual patients or groups of patients.

Ability to communicate effectively with and motivate people of widely varying backgrounds, interests, and abilities.

Ability to evaluate the degree to which specific therapeutic activities are meeting patient goals and objectives.

Ability to work well with the treatment team.

Volunteer for group coverage when necessary.

Ability to innovate in providing the widest possible range of therapeutic activities within the creative arts therapy field and which take fully into account the physical, mental, psychosocial, and emotional limitations and needs of patients served.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

We are an EOE organization

Benefits :