Life Enrichment Specialist / Creative Arts Therapist

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.

Part-time