Activity Assistant Jobs in Lexington, SC (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $39,500.00 - $51,300.00 Annually
Location : Anderson County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 191772
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Patrick B Harris Psychiatric Hospital
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: EB46
Position Number:: 60026396
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Normal Work Schedule (Other):: Employee work schedule may include working some evenings and weekends.
Pay Grade: CLN05
EEO Statement: Equal Opportunity Employer
Agency Specific Application Procedures:: Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education using verifiable dates.
Veteran Preference Statement: South Carolina is making our Veterans a priority for employment in state agencies and institutions.
Job Responsibilities
Are you passionate about making a real difference in people's lives? Join our team at the Office of Mental Health where we are dedicated to providing compassionate and accessible care to our community. We are seeking an Activity Therapist II who is motivated to help individuals and families navigate life's challenges and achieve long-term wellness. If you want to use your skills to build a healthier, more resilient community, we encourage you to apply.
This position is located at the SC Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) - Office of Mental Health, Patrick B. Harris Psychiatric Hospital, 130 SC-252, Anderson, SC 29621.
As the Activity Therapist II, working under limited supervision of the Activity Therapy Director, you will plan, organize, and implement a comprehensive Activity Therapy Program for adult patients at an acute, short-term psychiatric hospital.
Responsibilities for the Activity Therapist II:

• Conduct goal-oriented therapy groups in their field of study based on the individual needs and recommendations from treatment teams. Demonstrate ability to effectively communicate with and motivate patients to participate in therapeutic activities with attention to needs and capabilities. Provide group coverage for adult patient groups in times of staff shortage. (Conducts 15 groups/week)
• Plan Activity Therapy groups, including researching materials for new activity ideas, setting up materials to be used, preparing patient lists, cleaning up after groups, and recording information about patients' behaviors.
• Participate in treatment team meetings; prepare treatment plans and provide information regarding patients' progress in Activity Therapy groups. Provide treatment team coverage for adult programs in times of staff shortage.
• Complete individual Activity Therapy Service Assessment on each assigned patient; provide progress notes which indicate patient attendance, behavior, emotional state, and changes in mental status. Provide assessment and documentation coverage for adult patients in times of staffing shortage.
• Attend Activity Therapy meetings to provide and obtain information on patients. Attends in-service training and workshops to keep therapy skills current. Provide in-service to staff regarding specialized areas of knowledge as requested. Maintain and demonstrate competency in all mandatory areas, including MANDT, CPR, Corporate Compliance and Cultural Compliance, and complete SCEIS modules.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and implementing special events.
• Record statistical data on a daily basis and submit monthly statistical report to Director of Activity Therapy. Participate in monthly peer reviews and annual program evaluation.
• Responsible for maintenance of all equipment used in assigned groups and activities. Submit equipment requests, repair needs, and inventory reports to Director of Activity Therapy.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Horticulture Therapy, or Bibliotherapy which includes a period of supervised clinical field experience of no less than three months and two years of experience in the corresponding field of therapy; or a master's degree in these respective fields and one (1) year of field experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Possess the skills to perform a variety of physical activities at moderate level: physical sports, aerobics, exercise, aquatics.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, push a wheelchair, stand, walk for long periods of time.
• Ability to push, pull, bend, and stoop.
• Knowledgeable in the behaviors and level of functioning of adult psychiatric patients of varying ages and populations.
• Knowledge of the basic concepts for assessing patients, developing and conducing therapeutic groups, developing goals and interventions for adult/geriatric psychiatric patients.
• Provide leadership in the planning, organizing, and implementation of a treatment program and act as a model to the Activity Specialist I and Recreations Specialists.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in the individual's field of study.
• Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.

Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:

• Be able to pass CPR Certification.
• Have the ability to perform MANDT and emergency care during emergencies.
• Be able to conduct therapeutic programs with minimal supervision.

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.
The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouse, and children. Click for additional information.
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• S.C. Deferred Compensation Program available
• Retirement benefit choices *
  • State Retirement Plan
  • State Optional Retirement Program

*Enrollment in one of the listed plans is required for all FTE employees; please refer to the contribution section of hyperlinked retirement sites for the current contribution rate of gross pay.
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Benefits for State Employees
The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits
Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits
State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits
State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01
Have you ever been employed by the SC Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities - Office of Mental Health (OMH) (formerly SC Department of Mental Health)?

• Yes
• No

02
If you have ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense (other than in a Juvenile Court), you MUST list this information (unless you have taken steps to expunge your record.) This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered falsification of the application and WILL BE grounds for termination, if hired. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have charges on your record that appear without a court disposition (result) you may be asked to provide that information if selected for employment. If you have questions, please inquire before you complete your application.PLEASE NOTE THAT NOT ANSWERING THIS QUESTION WILL DEEM YOUR APPLICATION AS INCOMPLETE AND IT WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.Please indicate your understanding to this statement by checking the box below.

• Checking this box indicates my understanding to the above referenced statement.

03
Do you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college/university in recreation therapy, music therapy, art therapy, drama therapy, or dance therapy?

• Yes
• No

04
If you answered yes to question 3, do you have at least three months of supervised clinical experience in your field?
05
Do you have the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing?

• Yes
• No

06
Are you able to work with limited supervision?

• Yes
• No

07
Do you have the ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds, push a wheelchair, stand, stoop, bend, push, pull, and walk for long periods?

• Yes
• No

08
Do you have knowledge of the basic concepts for assessing patients?

• Yes
• No

09
Do you have the necessary skills to perform a variety of physical activities at a moderate level?

• Yes
• No

10
Are you flexible to a work schedule which may include evenings and weekends?

• Yes
• No

11
Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
Required Question