Behavioral Health Activities Specialist
The Behavioral Health Activities Specialist organizes and leads therapeutic activities for patients in an inpatient hospital setting, promoting social interaction, communication, and healthy coping skills. This role involves collaborating with clinical teams, adapting activities to patient needs, and maintaining a safe, supportive environment to enhance patient well-being and independence.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Healthcare — Behavioral Health / Inpatient Hospital.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
- Organize and lead structured therapeutic and recreational activities for patients on an inpatient behavioral health unit.
- Facilitate arts & crafts, music, exercise, games, social groups, and other patient-centered programs.
- Encourage respectful participation and model positive social interaction and coping skills.
- Adapt activities to meet patients’ needs, interests, and abilities to promote communication, confidence, and independence.
- Observe and document patient participation and share relevant observations with the interdisciplinary treatment team.
- Prepare and maintain activity spaces, materials, equipment, and supplies.
- Maintain a safe, organized, and welcoming environment that follows patient-rights and confidentiality standards.
- Collaborate with nursing, clinical staff, and other team members to coordinate activity plans and goals.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, recreational therapy, or a related field (per source).
- Experience working with individuals who have behavioral health needs preferred; entry-level applicants who demonstrate strong people skills and relevant experience in recreation, childcare, education, senior care, community programs, or customer service are encouraged to apply.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; ability to work effectively in a team.
- Understanding of therapeutic activity design and implementation.
- Compassionate, patient demeanor and the ability to engage diverse patient populations.
- Certification in CPR and First Aid preferred; training will be provided as required.
Why Apply / What We Offer
- Entry-level friendly role with on-the-job training and clear development pathways into behavioral health roles.
- Work in a multidisciplinary inpatient behavioral health environment with opportunities to build clinical teamwork skills.
- Estimated pay (from source): $38,457 per year — estimated.
- A meaningful opportunity to make a positive impact on patients’ recovery and daily experience.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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