Activity Assistant

Activity Assistant at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital - Part-time

Methodist Health System the regions most established not-for-profit provider has partnered with Acadia Healthcare the nations largest standalone behavioral health company to open a new 96-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital in Council Bluffs Iowa. This marks Acadias first acute psychiatric facility in Iowa expanding much-needed access to behavioral health services across Southwest Iowa and the Greater Omaha area. Just minutes from downtown Omaha Council Bluffs blends small-town charm with city convenienceoffering affordable living great schools and a strong sense of communitymaking it an ideal location for this important new facility.

Opened in June 2026 Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital offers a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient care for adults seniors and youth including programs for mood disorders dual diagnosis geriatric psychiatry child & adolescent care PHP/IOP and ECT. The facility will play a vital role in addressing the regions significant behavioral health bed shortage.

What would you do in this role

Assist with planning developing organizing implementing and directing individual and group activities/recreation within the facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Organize lead and promote interest in recreational activities to patients and their families.
• Serve as a resource for new patients introducing them to other patients and staff explaining programs and encouraging participation.
• Explain the rules of activities and instruct participants at a variety of skill levels.
• Document activity interventions and patient progress in the medical record per facility documentation requirements.
• Seek supervision and support when complications arise in dealing with a patient either in an individual or group setting.

• Enforce safety rules to prevent injury and modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
• Organize and set up the equipment that is used in recreational activities.
• Demonstrate a positive empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

OTHER FUNCTIONS:

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Associates degree in activity therapy or related field preferred.
• Previous experience in recreation in a healthcare setting with knowledge of patient population served by the facility also preferred.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be based on state or facility.

We are committed to providingequal employmentopportunitiestoall applicantsforemploymentregardlessofanindividualscharacteristicsprotected byapplicable statefederalandlocallaws.

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