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Activities Assistant

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Division of State-Operated Specialty Care, Bureau of Independence Mental Health Institute (IMHI) is seeking an energetic and talented Activities Assistant to join our team and provide therapeutic activities to the patients admitted to the facility for inpatient hospitalization! This is a full-time position with strong opportunity for advancement, growth, and development that works 12:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. weekdays with alternating weekends and occasional overtime.

IMHI's mission is to administer quality mental health services in a caring, supportive, and individualized atmosphere. The Activities Assistant will work with their assigned patients in collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team. Duties include but are not limited to the following:

  • assist other Activities Specialists
  • plan and lead recreational activities
  • organize and facilitate activities that promote physical, mental, and emotional well-being
  • monitor progress and treatment
  • evaluate needs and refer for appropriate patient activities consistent with the patient's level of functioning

Applicants will be required to complete a background check to be considered for this position.

IMHI provides inpatient treatment and acute psychiatric services, includingindividualized treatment plans and support for children and adolescent patients to continue their education. Individuals are encouraged to collaborate with staff members in formulating their own plan. Medication, group counseling, and activities therapies might be included as well.If you enjoy helping people with adult, children and family services, mental health treatment, disabilities services and long-term care, this is a wonderful opportunity to consider.

We have a great total compensation package, including:

  • Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) (Employee contributes 6.29%/State of Iowa contributes 9.44%)
  • Retirement Investors Club (RIC) (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan) (State of Iowa matches up to $75/month)
  • Health, Dental and Vision Insurance (See below for additional information)
  • Vacation Leave (96 hours/year to begin, and increases with years of service)
  • Sick Leave (144 hours/year)
  • Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Life Insurance ($20,000 paid for by the State of Iowa)
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance

For additional information on benefits click here.

Click here to see how we compare with other employers or offers by using our Total Compensation Calculator.

Independence Highlights

IMHI is in Independence, Iowa, a city of approximately 6,000, located in scenic Northeast Iowa. The Wapsipinicon River flows through town offering many recreational opportunities from canoeing to fishing. Independence is a progressive community sporting a newer public library, trails, and Cedar Rock state park which includes a Frank Lloyd Wright home.

Independence is 30 minutes from Waterloo/Cedar Falls home of the UNI Panthers, 45 minutes from Cedar Rapids and 1 hour from Iowa City, home of the Iowa Hawkeyes.

The State of Iowa is an EEO/AA Employer

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the HHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.e-verify.gov. 

Qualifications

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1) Two years of full-time work experience in a recreational, arts, crafts, or music activity program.
2) A total of two years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in art, music, physical education, recreation, the social/behavioral sciences or closely related areas equals one year of full-time experience.
3) Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes eighteen months of full-time work as an Activities Aide or Resident Treatment Worker.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsements.

Date Posted
06/30/2025
Job Reference
25-03503
Organization
400 Health & Human Services - State Operated Specialty Care - Independence Mental Health Institute
Location
Independence - 50644 - Buchanan County, IA 50319
Category
Information Technology
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