Life Enrichment Specialist | Creative Arts Therapist

Life Enrichment Specialist | Behavioral Health | Mental Health | Therapeutic Recreation

Location: 2101 Belmont Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19131
Department: Behavioral Health
Job Type: Full Time
Schedule: Day Shift with weekends required
Work Setting: Fully Onsite
Starting Pay Range: $25.68–$26.98 per hour

About Us

The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is seeking a Life Enrichment Specialist to join our Older Adult Behavioral Health Program located at 2101 Belmont Avenue, Philadelphia, PA. This specialized long-term behavioral health program provides comprehensive psychiatric and skilled nursing services to older adults living with Serious Mental Illness (SMI) and complex behavioral health needs.

Our multidisciplinary team provides compassionate, evidence based, and recovery oriented care in a structured therapeutic environment that promotes dignity, independence, and quality of life.

We are seeking a creative, energetic, and compassionate professional to develop and facilitate therapeutic, recreational, educational, cognitive, and social programming that enhances resident engagement and supports emotional, behavioral, and cognitive well being.

Overview
The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is seeking a Life Enrichment Specialist to design, coordinate, and deliver structured therapeutic, social, and recreational programming for residents receiving behavioral health services. This role plays a critical part in enhancing quality of life, promoting engagement, and supporting emotional and cognitive well-being within a clinical treatment environment.

This is a professional-level role requiring independent planning, collaboration with clinical staff, and direct resident engagement.

Key Responsibilities
• Develop, plan, and implement therapeutic life enrichment programming aligned with resident needs
• Facilitate group and individual enrichment activities that support emotional, cognitive, and social functioning
• Collaborate with clinical and interdisciplinary teams to support individualized care plans
• Monitor resident participation, engagement, and behavioral response during activities
• Document observations and participation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR)
• Coordinate schedules, materials, and activity spaces
• Support special events, community integration activities, and seasonal programming
• Maintain a safe, structured, and engaging activity environment
• Ensure all programming is trauma-informed and recovery-oriented
• Maintain compliance with confidentiality and facility policies

Qualifications
Education
• Bachelor’s degree required in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Recreational Therapy, or a related field
• Master’s degree preferred

Experience
• Experience working in behavioral health, mental health, psychiatric, or residential treatment settings required
• Experience working with older adults strongly preferred
• Experience facilitating groups and structured programming preferred

Skills and Abilities
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• Ability to independently plan and manage programming
• Ability to engage individuals with complex behavioral health needs
• Proficiency with Electronic Health Records and basic computer systems
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team

Why Join Us
• Competitive pay with growth potential
• Mission-driven behavioral health organization
• Meaningful work supporting individuals with serious mental illness
• Collaborative and supportive clinical environment
• Opportunity to make a measurable impact on resident quality of life

Pre Employment and Workplace Policy
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, including a physical examination, background check, verification of employment, and drug screening. The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is a Drug Free Workplace, and all employees are expected to comply with workplace policies and standards of conduct.

COVID 19 Vaccination Requirement
Employment for this position requires full COVID 19 vaccination, where permitted by law. Reasonable accommodations will be considered for individuals who are unable to be vaccinated due to a documented medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The Behavioral Wellness Center at Girard is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE/M/F/D/V). We are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and culturally responsive workplace.