Life Enrichment Specialist / Creative Arts Therapist Job at The Behavioral Welln
The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard, Philadelphia, PA, US, 19131
Job Description
Job Title: Life Enrichment Specialist / Creative Arts Therapist – Behavioral Health LTC
Location: Be Well at MPAC, 4001 Ford Road, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Job Type: Part-Time (32 hours/week) | Day Shift | Every Other Weekend
Reports To: Program Director
Department: Behavioral Health – Be Well at MPAC
The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard, in partnership with the Be Well at MPAC initiative, leads The Philadelphia Model: Addressing Serious Mental Illness (SMI) in Long-Term Care. Located at 4001 Ford Road in Philadelphia, this structured therapeutic residential program provides behavioral healthcare for older adults with serious mental illness who also require skilled nursing care.
We are currently hiring a Life Enrichment Specialist, also known as a Creative Arts Therapist, Recreation Therapist, or Activities Coordinator, to join our team. This role is 32 hours per week on the day shift, with every other weekend required. The Life Enrichment Specialist develops and delivers engaging group and individual therapeutic activities that promote emotional, cognitive, and social well-being for residents while contributing to interdisciplinary clinical care.
Responsibilities include:
Conducting life enrichment and activity assessments for new residents
Developing and leading group programs, creative arts therapies, recreational therapy sessions, and 1:1 therapeutic activities
Creating inclusive, seasonal, and culturally relevant programming
Supporting clinical care planning and contributing to MDS documentation
Maintaining accurate documentation including progress notes, attendance logs, and monthly reports
Coordinating therapeutic recreation programs, special events, and community outings
Collaborating with nursing and clinical staff to ensure continuity of care
Maintaining a safe, trauma-informed, and inclusive group environment
Responding to behavioral health needs, resident feedback, and clinical changes
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy, Creative Arts Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Activities Coordination, or a related field required
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or a master’s degree preferred
Experience in long-term care, behavioral health, or working with older adults with mental illness required
Background in group facilitation, activities programming, or creative arts therapy preferred
Strong knowledge of recreation therapy principles, group dynamics, and trauma-informed practices
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and EHR documentation systems
Ability to engage and motivate residents in meaningful, person-centered activities
Bilingual abilities a plus
Why Work Here:
Be part of an innovative model of care transforming behavioral health in long-term care
Use your creative arts, recreation therapy, or programming skills to enrich lives daily
Collaborate with a supportive, trauma-informed clinical team
Build meaningful relationships while gaining experience in both behavioral health and skilled nursing settings
Join a mission-driven, stable healthcare system that values employee growth and support
About Us:
The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard provides trauma-informed, evidence-based behavioral health services in a spiritually and culturally responsive manner. Our vision is to be the region’s premier provider of a full continuum of behavioral health services. We are guided by our core values of Choice, Hope, Integrity, Respect, and Professionalism.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Behavioral Wellness Center at MPAC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/M/F/D/V). All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.