Activities Coordinator Behavioral Health Unit

At ScionHealth, we empower our caregivers to do what they do best. We value every voice by caring deeply for every patient and each other. We show courage by running toward the challenge and we lean into new ideas by embracing curiosity and question asking. Together, we create our culture by living our values in our day-to-day interactions with our patients and teammates.

Job Summary

The Activities Coordinator is responsible for planning, coordinating, and facilitating therapeutic recreational and psychoeducational activities for patients receiving behavioral health services. This role supports the psychosocial well-being, recovery, and engagement of patients through structured group programming and individualized activities designed to enhance emotional, cognitive, social, and coping skills. The Activities Coordinator collaborates with the interdisciplinary treatment team to promote patient participation, reinforce treatment goals, and maintain a safe and therapeutic environment. This position is intended for a behavioral health professional with education and training in social work, psychology, counseling, or a related behavioral health field.

Essential Functions

• Develops, coordinates, and facilitates therapeutic group activities and recreational programming for behavioral health patients.
• Conducts psychoeducational sessions focused on coping skills, socialization, stress management, communication, emotional regulation, and wellness.
• Assesses patient interests, abilities, and participation needs to support individualized activity planning.
• Encourages patient participation and engagement in therapeutic programming to support treatment plan goals.
• Collaborates with physicians, nurses, social workers, therapists, and other interdisciplinary team members regarding patient progress and behavioral observations.
• Documents patient attendance, participation, behavior, and response to activities in accordance with facility standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintains activity calendars, schedules, supplies, and program materials for the behavioral health unit.
• Assists in maintaining a safe, structured, and therapeutic milieu consistent with behavioral health standards of care.
• Identifies and reports changes in patient condition, safety concerns, or behavioral issues to appropriate clinical staff.
• Participates in treatment team meetings, discharge planning activities, and quality improvement initiatives as assigned.
• Ensures programming is age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and aligned with patient functional levels.
• Maintains confidentiality and complies with HIPAA, patient rights, and behavioral health regulatory standards.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities/Expectations

• Knowledge of behavioral health principles, therapeutic communication, and group facilitation techniques.
• Ability to establish rapport and maintain professional boundaries with behavioral health patients.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple activities and adapt programming to varying patient populations and acuity levels.
• Knowledge of patient rights, trauma-informed care, and recovery-oriented practices.
• Ability to respond appropriately in crisis situations and maintain a calm demeanor.
• Proficient in basic computer skills and electronic documentation systems

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Counseling, Recreational Therapy, Sociology, Human Services, or related behavioral health field (Required)

Licenses/Certifications

• LMSW - Licensed Medical Social Worker - State Licensure or equivalent behavioral health credential if applicable by state regulations Upon Hire (Preferred)
• BCLS - Basic Life Support Upon Hire or within facility-specified time frame (Required)
• NCI -Non-violent Crisis Intervention or current program Within Facility-Specified time frame (Required)

Experience

• 1+ years experience in behavioral health, psychiatric services, social services, recreational therapy, or related healthcare setting (Preferred)
• Prior Experience facilitating group activities or therapeutic programming (Preferred)