DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

• The Activities Therapy Assistant conducts group activities that are therapeutic and focused on patient needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Interviews patients, their families, & others to obtain leisure & developmental histories.
• Maintains regular contact with each assigned patient to monitor responses to services & identify problem areas.
• When appropriate, obtains information from family members about patient in regard to past response to treatment or problem areas in work, custody, school, & leisure activities; reports significant information & recommendations to treatment team members.
• When appropriate, liaison with local community agencies to develop appropriate interventions based on patient needs.
• Participates in the patients' treatment planning & documents case records.
• Communicates abnormal variances of emotional &/or cognitive data (tearful, hallucinating, etc) to appropriate staff.
• Provides emotional &/or cognitive patient care in an appropriate, therapeutic & safe manner.

The above statements are only meant to be a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those stated in this description.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Minimal High School Diploma/GED; Prefer Bachelor's Degree (psych, social service field, etc.)
• Minimal 2+ Years Experience working with functionally challenged individuals if he/ she does not meet the Educational Preference
• Crisis Response Training, CPR
• Ability to effectively communicate with patient, family, peers and medical personnel.
• Requires emotional stability and resilience.
• Must be adaptable to change and demonstrate foresight.
• Ability to take initiative, be decisive, and project a professional demeanor.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Work requires a variety of physical activities including sitting, standing and walking.
• Bending, stooping, and lifting is minimal.
• The work environment may be physically confining.
• Visual acuity required for a variety of activities.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COVID-19

Lake Charles Memorial Health System must ensure compliance of various Federal and State Regulatory Agencies, including CMS (Centers for Medicaid & Medicare).

Candidates for this position must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with the Lake Charles Memorial Health System Human Resources Department.

Proof of vaccination prior to employment is required to ensure compliance.