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Mental health

Activity Therapist - Acute

Summit BHCPeak Behavioral Health (Santa Teresa, NM)Part timePosted 1mo agoStill open, checked every night

How this pay compares

This posting does not state an hourly rate. Open mental health therapist jobs in New Mexico post a median of $56.50 an hour, the middle half $38.13–$56.50, across 8 jobs that state their pay. Mental health therapists employed in New Mexico earn a median of $35.63 an hour (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics), according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025) (source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics).

Mental health therapists in New Mexico: pay by town and employer

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Mental health and social work jobs in our research

  • How long these jobs stay listed: Median days to removal 25.0 days · Still listed at 7 days 76.7%
  • Applicant demand per open job on this site (1.00x is the average job): Index 0.62x · Clicks 36
  • How often these jobs state their pay: Jobs stating any pay 63.8% · Stating an hourly rate 45.7%

From every open job we read and every apply click on this site, as of 11 Nov 2026. Every figure for Mental health and social work jobs

About the job

Activity Therapist - Acute | Peak Behavioral Health | Santa Teresa, New Mexico

About the Job

PURPOSE STATEMENT:

The Activity Therapist plans, organizes, and conducts comprehensive recreational therapy services as a component of the patient’s treatment plan designed to assist the patient with learning healthy coping skills, strengths, hobbies, and assist with the development of social skills/relationships. Ensures all programming is consistent with accepted standards of practice and established policies and procedures.

Roles and Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  • Performs patient assessments through patient/family interview, obtaining information on the patient’s needs, skills, interests, strengths, and limitations for the development and implementation of individualized treatment plan.
  • Plans and implements an activities program including but not limited to therapeutic leisure skills and activities, leisure education and leisure awareness to provide quality activities programs that meet patient needs and interests and helps the patient achieve his/her treatment goals. Coordinates patient activities while providing a safe environment.
  • Orients patients to the activities program, explaining the benefits of the activities to the patients.
  • Engages patients in therapeutic activities such as exercise, games sports, dance, music, art or relaxation techniques designed to meet their specific needs. Monitors and evaluates patient's progress, interest levels, attitude, and behaviors.
  • Engages patients in individual and/or group recreation programming. Individual and group programming will fall under the five activity domains: physical, social, intellectual, creative and spiritual. Modifies activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
  • Provides patients with activity resources, supplies and equipment, as needed. Requests needed supplies and equipment in a timely manner, as needed.
  • Helps patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
  • Performs all documentation such as assessments and progress notes in a timely manner.
  • Helps to develop and maintain departmental resources, sharing the responsibility to monitor equipment and supplies.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILL REQUIREMENTS

  • Bachelor's Degree in Specific Discipline in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy or related field is required. Master’s degree preferred.
  • One or more years’ experience in recreation in a healthcare setting with knowledge of patient population served by the facility is required.

LICENSES/DESIGNATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS

  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or currently in the process of obtaining national certification; OR certified in the area of specialty (Art, Dance, Music, etc.) OR clinical professional licensure (LCPC, LPC, etc.) with certification in expressive therapy area required.

WORK LOCATION

This position is on-site at the facility and is not a remote position.

Why Peak Behavioral Health?Peak Behavioral Health offers a comprehensive benefit plan and a competitive salary commensurate with experience and qualifications. Qualified candidates should apply by submitting a resume. Peak Behavioral Health is an EOE.

Veterans and military spouses are highly encouraged to apply. Summit BHC is dedicated to serving Veterans with specialized programming at our treatment centers across the country. We recognize and value the unique strengths of the military community in supporting our mission to serve those who have served.

From Summit BHC's job posting, checked 13 Nov 2026. The employer's own page is the final word on requirements and availability.

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