Recreational Therapist

Recreation Therapist Behavioral Health

Mississippi State Hospital | Whitfield, MS (15 miles southeast of Jackson)

State Classification: Therapeutic Therapist II

Department: [Therapeutic Recreation / Music Services]

Service area: [Adult psychiatric / Adolescent / Substance recovery / Jaquith Nursing Home]

Use recreation and music to help people heal

Therapeutic Recreation is its own department, with a director on the hospital's leadership team. Our programs include a Treatment Mall offering recreation, music, art and horticulture; a music classroom with instruments patients can't use on their units; and the hospital's long-running Serendipity Art Show. If you're a creative, energetic therapist who wants your work to matter, we'd like to meet you.

At Mississippi State Hospital, recreation, music and the arts are part of treatment, not extras. Through activity-based therapy, patients and nursing home residents build confidence, social and coping skills, and healthy ways to enjoy their free time. We're a publicly funded behavioral health program of the Mississippi Department of Mental Health. Our campus includes a 282-bed hospital accredited by the Joint Commission and a 198-bed nursing home.

What you'll do

Assessment and planning

• Assess the interests, abilities and needs of patients and residents
• Write treatment plans and goals as part of a team from several disciplines
• Document participation, progress and outcomes

Programs and activities

• Plan, lead and coordinate recreation-based or music-based treatment programs for individuals and groups
• Use activities to build social skills, coping skills, physical function and self-expression
• Lead and take part in recreational activities and special events for patients and nursing home residents
• Watch and report on patient behavior during activities
• Keep patients safe and meet their personal needs during activities
• Use and maintain therapy equipment and supplies

Leadership

• Train and direct the work of activity aides and other support staff
• Coordinate programs with other departments, and help with staff and program planning
• [Confirm: help supervise Therapeutic Recreation interns]

What you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, music therapy or a related field [confirm which majors are accepted]
• 34 years of related experience
• [Confirm whether Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) credentials are required, preferred or not needed]
• Experience with mental illness, substance use, adolescents, older adults or people with disabilities is a plus
• For music-based roles: ability to play an instrument and/or sing [confirm]
• Creativity, energy and patience
• A good attitude, a willingness to learn and grow, attention to detail, and strong communication and organizational skills
• [Add physical requirements for leading active programs]
• Male applicants ages 1826 must be registered with Selective Service

Why you'll love working here

Pay and benefits

• Competitive state salary
• Health and prescription insurance, plus wellness benefits
• Life insurance equal to twice your annual salary, up to $100,000
• Optional discounted dental, vision and cancer insurance, plus flexible spending accounts
• Paid personal leave, sick days, paid holidays
• State retirement plan (vested after 8 years) and deferred compensation
• State Credit Union membership
• [Confirm: tuition reimbursement]

Creative, meaningful work

• A dedicated Therapeutic Recreation department, working alongside Music Services, Art Services and horticulture programs
• Monthly music themes and live-music events, like this summer's reggae month and a Dolly Parton "9 to 5" celebration to kick off Country Music Month
• Campus traditions you'll help bring to life, including MSH Day, the Serendipity Art Show, the Christmas parade and Santa Day
• Variety across adolescents, adults and older adults in the nursing home

Room to grow

• A state career ladder that goes from therapist up to supervisory and management roles
• Eligibility for promotions after 6 months of service
• A teaching setting that hosts Therapeutic Recreation interns
• State professional development programs through the Mississippi State Personnel Board

A culture that recognizes you

• Monthly MSH STARS celebrations for Employees of the Month, service milestones, promotions and new certifications
• Annual Employee of the Year awards and perfect attendance awards
• An on-campus employee dining room

A great place to work

• A 350-acre wooded campus just 15 miles from Jackson's restaurants, entertainment and events

How to apply

• Online:
• Questions: View phone number on click.appcast.io

Mississippi State Hospital is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. [Insert the client's full EEO statement from their careers page]