Link copied to clipboard!
Back to Jobs
MH
Activities Assistant - Therapy, FT at Mercy Health
Mercy Health
Dexter, MO
Posted 2 days ago
Job Description
Find your calling at Mercy!
Assist the Recreational Therapist and nursing staff in providing individualized care for patients, focusing on their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Works cooperatively as part of a team to coordinate and implement personalized goals and activities.
Position Details:
Location
Mercy Hospital Stoddard
1200 North 1 Mile Rd
Dexter, MO 63841
Hours/Schedule
Full-Time (40-hrs per week)
Department:
Therapy
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Highschool diploma or equivalent
Certification: Must have a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider card or complete a course within their probation period.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in related field (e.g. recreational therapy, psychology, nursing, education, or social work)
Experience: Prior experience working as an Activity Assistant or related role in a hospital or health care setting.
Other Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:
Why Mercy?
From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.
Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.
keyword(s): Activities Assistant
Assist the Recreational Therapist and nursing staff in providing individualized care for patients, focusing on their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Works cooperatively as part of a team to coordinate and implement personalized goals and activities.
Position Details:
Location
Mercy Hospital Stoddard
1200 North 1 Mile Rd
Dexter, MO 63841
Hours/Schedule
Full-Time (40-hrs per week)
Department:
Therapy
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Highschool diploma or equivalent
Certification: Must have a current American Heart Association Healthcare Provider card or complete a course within their probation period.
Preferred Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in related field (e.g. recreational therapy, psychology, nursing, education, or social work)
Experience: Prior experience working as an Activity Assistant or related role in a hospital or health care setting.
Other Skills, Knowledge, Abilities:
- Provides effective verbal and written communication, empathy, and compassion for emotional support, and can engage patients and families in decision-making processes that are essential for providing comprehensive healthcare.
- Proficient in planning and organizing activities that align with treatment goals, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, and uses computerized charting systems while adhering to safety standards.
- Collaborates with healthcare professionals to set and achieve goals, ensuring cohesive care plans through teamwork, monitoring and evaluating activity programs, and addresses challenges to improve outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Why Mercy?
From day one, Mercy offers outstanding benefits - including medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, tuition support, and matched retirement plans for team members working 32+ hours per pay period.
Join a caring, collaborative team where your voice matters. At Mercy, you'll help shape the future of healthcare through innovation, technology, and compassion. As we grow, you'll grow with us.
keyword(s): Activities Assistant
Typical entry-level pay: $30k for Recreation Workers nationally
National salary averages
Expected entry-level
$30k
Entry
Mid
Senior
Expected
$26k
Market range (10th-90th percentile)
$49k
Mid-level roles pay ~16% more—room to grow.
Hot hiring, constrained wages
Employers are hiring actively, but pay hasn't caught up with demand. Focus on competing offers and non-salary benefits.
Hiring leverage
Candidate-favored
Wage leverage
âš Disconnect
Constrained
Mobility
Good mobility
Durability
Somewhat fragile
Who this leverage applies to
Stronger for:
Senior candidates with options
Weaker for:
Entry-level candidates, Career switchers
Where to negotiate
Base salary
Sign-on bonus
Title / level
Remote flexibility
Scope & responsibility
Start date / PTO
Likely Possible Unlikely
Watch out for
Wage disconnect:
Hiring is active but pay hasn't responded—negotiate on other terms.
Use competing offers and timing to your advantage.
Does this path compound?
Job Growth →
⚡
High churn
Growth, flat pay
🚀
Compound
Growth + pay upside
⚠️
Plateau
Limited growth
⭐
Specialize
Experts earn more
Pay Upside →
Stable but flat
Steady work, but limited growth in both jobs and pay.
+4%
10yr growth
68,100 openings projected annually—mostly replacing retirees and turnover.
Typical: High school diploma or equivalent
Openings come from turnover, not new growth. Differentiate to advance.
Labor data: BLS 2024