Activity Assistant

Activity Assistant at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital  - Part-time 

Methodist Health System, the region’s most established not-for-profit provider, has partnered with Acadia Healthcare, the nation’s largest standalone behavioral health company, to open a new 96-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This marks Acadia’s first acute psychiatric facility in Iowa, expanding much-needed access to behavioral health services across Southwest Iowa and the Greater Omaha area.  Just minutes from downtown Omaha, Council Bluffs blends small-town charm with city convenience—offering affordable living, great schools, and a strong sense of community—making it an ideal location for this important new facility.

Opened in June 2026, Methodist Jennie Edmundson Behavioral Health Hospital offers a full continuum of inpatient and outpatient care for adults, seniors, and youth, including programs for mood disorders, dual diagnosis, geriatric psychiatry, child & adolescent care, PHP/IOP, and ECT. The facility will play a vital role in addressing the region’s significant behavioral health bed shortage.

What would you do in this role?

​Assist with planning, developing, organizing, implementing and directing individual and group activities/recreation within the facility.  

​ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• ​Organize, lead and promote interest in recreational activities to patients and their families.  
• ​Serve as a resource for new patients introducing them to other patients and staff, explaining programs and encouraging participation.  
• ​Explain the rules of activities and instruct participants at a variety of skill levels. 
• ​Document activity interventions and patient progress in the medical record per facility documentation requirements.  
• ​Seek supervision and support when complications arise in dealing with a patient either in an individual or group setting. 

• ​Enforce safety rules to prevent injury and modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.  
• ​Organize and set up the equipment that is used in recreational activities.  
• ​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. 

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OTHER FUNCTIONS:  

• ​Perform other functions and tasks as assigned. 

​EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS: 

• ​High school diploma or equivalent required.   
• ​Associate’s degree in activity therapy or related field preferred. 
• ​Previous experience in recreation in a healthcare setting with knowledge of patient population served by the facility also preferred. 

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​LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:  

• ​CPR and de-escalation/restraint certification (training available upon hire and offered by facility). 
• ​First aid may be 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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