Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the United States. Acadia operates a growing network of 250 plus behavioral healthcare facilities with approximately 11,100 beds in 39 states and Puerto Rico. With more than 23,000 employees serving approximately 75,000 patients daily, Acadia is the largest stand-alone behavioral health company in the U.S.

Acadia Healthcare’s purpose is to Lead Care With Light and our mission is to be a world-class organization that sets the standard for excellence in the treatment of mental health and addiction concerns. We strive to maintain our standing as a thought leader in the behavioral healthcare industry, providing treatment that is synonymous with compassion and innovation.

Director of Activity Therapy – Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital

Tufts Medicine, a leading integrated academic health system in Massachusetts, and Acadia Healthcare, the largest standalone provider of behavioral health services in the U.S., have partnered to create the Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital, a state-of-the-art, 144-bed facility in Malden, Massachusetts. Slated to open in fall 2025, this hospital is designed to address the growing need for high-quality behavioral health services in the region.

The Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital will serve as a center of excellence, offering inpatient and intensive outpatient programs for patients of all ages. Additionally, it will function as a teaching hospital, providing a vital training site for future behavioral health professionals, including students and residents from the Tufts University School of Medicine. This initiative aims to address the regional shortage of behavioral health clinicians while ensuring a continuum of care for patients and their families.

The Activity Therapy Director will plan, develop, direct and coordinate a program of activity therapies in a facility, collaborating with medical staff and heads of professional departments to ensure that an effective, quality activity therapy programs supports the treatment needs of the patients served. 

​ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• ​Plan, develop and coordinate the overall program of activity therapies, including occupational, music and recreational therapy, with other activities. 
• ​Provide staff management to include hiring, development, training, performance management and communication to ensure effective and efficient department operation. 
• ​Responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating recreational or activity therapy programs. 
• ​Provide periodic budgets, statistical summaries, forecasts and goals. 

• ​Develop policies, procedures, new programs, budgets, etc.  
• ​Screen candidates for programs and place in the programs best suited to individual needs.  
• ​Conduct regular staff meetings to share information and communication, provide training and resources and promote staff development.  
• ​Direct and supervise activity staff in their implementation of the activity therapy program and services. 
• ​Coordinate activity therapy services with other treatment modalities and treatment team members, to support quality and compliance with program expectations, facility policies, industry standards and regulatory requirements. 

• ​Responsible for the requisition of materials, supplies and equipment necessary to the effective operation of the therapy programs and corresponding budgets.  
• ​Provide direct supervision of activity therapy staff. 
• ​Appear before various external professional groups to interpret and explain the objectives of the therapeutic programs of the facility. 
• ​Carry caseload and supervise staff competency and licensure as applicable.  
• ​Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always.  When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints.  Recognize that patient safety is a top priority. 

​OTHER FUNCTIONS:  

• ​Perform other functions and tasks as assigned. 

​EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: 

• ​Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy or other recreation-based field which may be approved for national certification in their area of expertise required. 
• ​Master’s degree preferred based on state requirements. 

• ​Five or more years' professional level experience working with the specialty/service of the facility required.   
• ​Three or more years’ supervisory experience required. 

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LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:  

• ​May require licensure as either: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), Board Certified Art Therapist (ATR-BC) or currently in the process of obtaining national certification, depending on state requirements. 
• ​CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility). 

• ​First aid may be required based on state or facility. 

We are committed to providing equal  employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.

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