Salary: $35,800.00 - $46,600.00 Annually
Location : Richland County, SC
Job Type: FTE - Full-Time
Job Number: 189950
Agency: Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
Division: Greater Bryan Psychiatric Hospital
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/20/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Class Code:: EB45
Position Number:: 60006394
Normal Work Schedule:: Monday - Friday (8:30 - 5:00)
Pay Grade: CLN04
Hiring Range - Min.: $35,800.00
Hiring Range - Max.: $46,600.00
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 a
Activity Therapist I, 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, G. Werber Bryan/Forensics, 7901 Farrow Road, Columbia SC 29203.
As the Activity Therapist I, under general supervision of the Activity Therapy Director and Direct supervision of the Activity Therapy Supervisor, you will serve as the Secondary Activity Therapist providing a comprehensive Recreational Therapy Program for mentally ill patients. You will utilize knowledge in behavioral health for treatment of adult, dually diagnosed psychiatric and behavioral health patients.
Responsibilities for the Activity Therapist I include:
-Develop and coordinate goal-oriented groups and leisure activities for adult patients based on individual needs and recommendations from treatment team. Assist AT II with researching materials for groups and activity ideas. (A.T. I will conduct a minimal of 18.5 active treatment hours per week).
-Complete individual Activity Therapy Service Assessment on each assigned patient; provide weekly progress notes which indicate patient attendance, patient behavior, emotional state, and changes in mental status. Provide assessment and documentation coverage for adult patients in times of staffing shortage. Complete written and electronic medical records documentation related to treatment goals on assigned patients. (Minimal caseload 8-10 patients).
-Comply with Performance Improvement and Infection Control measures. Be knowledgeable of directives, policies and procedures that meet OMH, BPH for accrediting standards and regulations.
-Provide pertinent feedback and input to Treatment Team regarding patients' progress, involvement, and schedules. Attend and participate in Treatment Team meetings. Recommend appropriate patient groups. Submit information for the Master Treatment Plan as it relates to assigned patients and groups, providing timely, accurate documentation as required. Record statistical data on a daily basis and submit monthly statistical report to Activity Therapy Supervisor.
-Assist with planning, coordinating, implementing, evaluating evening, weekend, holiday leisure activities and special/seasonal events. Assist with educating interns/students, volunteers. (A minimal 4 leisure activities/events monthly; 4 special events yearly).
-Attend Activity Therapy meetings to provide and obtain information on patients. Attend 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 BEST, CPR, Infection Control, Safety and Risk Management, Patient Rights, MIS, Corporate Compliance and Cultural Competence, completes Pathlore modules.
-Conduct safety checks and maintains facilities equipment and supplies. Observe and comply with rules, regulations and policies.
-Meets with Activity Therapy Supervisor Monthly.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
- Bachelor's Degree in Recreation with emphasis in Therapeutics, Art, Physical & Leisure Education, Exercise Science, Health, Music, Health Science, Sports Management, Human Performance, Fine Arts.
- Knowledge of behavior/level of functioning of adult patients.
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with adult/geriatric psychiatric patients, other departments and professionals.
Additional Requirements:
- Ability to lift up to 50 fifty pounds, push a wheelchair, stand, walk for long period of time, climb, maneuver patients in wheelchairs, walkers; able to work outdoors, drive at night, work evenings, nights, weekends, holidays; work inclement weather (all employees are considered essential staff). Ability to push, pull, bend, and stoop.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bilingual abilities in English and Spanish (or another language) are a plus.
- Certification with the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation or eligibility for certification
Additional Comments
Post hire, employees must:
- Have knowledge and skills of principles, practices, objectives of Therapeutic Recreation in group settings.
- Have knowledge of state, federal regulations, current guidelines, policies, procedures, policies related to TR and patients in a psychiatric hospital.
- Have ability to work cooperatively and effectively with adult/geriatric psychiatric patients, other departments, and professionals.
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.
60026978, 60017238, 60006383, 60016054, 60024548, 60030316
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.
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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)?
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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.
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Did you graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Recreation with emphasis in Therapeutics, Art, Physical & Leisure Education, Exercise Science, Health, Music, Health Science, Sports Management, Human Performance, Fine Arts?
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Please indicate your salary requirements (please be specific and not put "negotiable" or "open").
Required Question
