ACTIVITY SPECIALIST

MU Healthcare is looking for a vibrant and compassionate Activity Specialist to join our dynamic team at MUPC. As a crucial member of our Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Group, you'll play a pivotal role in fostering a therapeutic and engaging environment for individuals under our care. We are seeking an individual with a passion for making a difference, someone who can inspire and encourage patient participation in planned activities. If you're ready to bring your enthusiasm and dedication to a rewarding position that transforms lives, we invite you to be a part of the MU Healthcare family.  

Location: Columbia, Missouri 
Shift:  Saturday-Sunday, 8am-4:30pm; Opportunity to pick up hours during the week  
Department: MUPC Therapy 
Salary Range:  $14.80 - $23.32 (Pay based on experience), plus $1.00 weekend shift differential. 

Job Summary:   

The Activity Specialist is responsible for conducting planned Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) Group services for individuals served by MUPC. In this role, you will assist therapy staff in conducting therapeutic groups, encouraging patient participation, evaluating patient progress, and maintaining a safe and clean work environment. You will also be responsible for ordering supplies, preparing materials for groups, and documenting patient behavior and participation. This position requires flexibility to independently lead diversional groups during weekends and evenings. 

ABOUT US 

MU Health Care is a growing academic health system in mid-Missouri comprised of multiple hospitals — including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital — and over 50 specialty clinics located throughout the region.  

As an MU Health Care employee, you’ll be part of an exceptional team committed to our mission of saving and improving lives. Our core values of inclusion, respect, service, discovery, responsibility and excellence foster a collaborative work environment where you can grow your career. 

Learn more about MU Health Care.                Learn more about living in Columbia, MO.  

Employee Benefits 

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one. 

•  Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays. 

• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years. 

• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%). 

• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more. 

See a comprehensive list of benefits here .  

Essential Functions: 

• Plan and conduct recreational, diversional, and therapeutic groups, and coordinate tasks or activities that relate to the goals and needs of the patient as per their treatment plan, under the guidance of a therapeutic recreation specialist or occupational therapist.   
• Encourage and facilitate patient participation in therapeutic opportunities and activities.   
• Assist therapy staff in evaluating patient’s progress and identifying deficits, and assisting with documentation.   
• Assist therapy staff in leading groups by supervising patients, taking notes on their participation, escorting patients to and from groups, and facilitating their participation.   
• Coordinate the ordering and inventorying of supplies for the department.   
• Maintain the safety and cleanliness of the Therapy Department work areas. Assist with infection control procedures in shared therapeutic areas.  
• Prepare materials for groups including preparing craft materials.   
• Assist with supervising patients during treatment sessions.   
• Offer alternative activities on the unit for patients who may not be ready for group sessions. 
• Independently lead diversional groups during the weekends and evenings.   
• Document patients’ behavior and participation in diversional groups.   
• May complete unit/department specific duties as outlined in department documents.  

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• High school diploma or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities can be acquired.  
• Six (6) months of healthcare or related experience.   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: 

• One (1) year of experience working with people with mental health conditions, physical disabilities, or developmental disabilities.  

• Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.  

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met with or without reasonable accommodation. The performance of these physical demands is an essential function of the job. This position is very active and may require ambulating, remaining in a stationary position and positioning self to reach and/or move objects above the shoulders and below the knees. The employee may frequently lift and/or move objects up to 10 lbs and occasionally move objects up to 25 lbs.  

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law.