Active Mental Health Technician – Recreational Therapy

Shodair; Helena, Northern (MT, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free medical insurance

Vision insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Student loan assistance

6% employer match 403(b)

Generous paid time off

Ropes course training

Job summary

Shodair Children's Hospital in Helena, MT is seeking compassionate Mental Health Technicians to join the Allied Therapy team, with a special focus on Recreational Therapy. You will engage children and teens in therapeutic recreation, group activities, and outdoor adventures to support emotional growth and develop coping and social skills.

As an MHT, you will follow care plans, monitor safety, assist with de-escalation, and serve as a positive role model in both indoor and outdoor settings,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, special education, or related field, or four years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with children or behavioral health/healthcare settings preferred.
• CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention required within 2 months of hire.
• Behavioral health certification preferred; additional unit certifications may be required.

Responsibilities

• Engage patients (ages 3–18) in therapeutic recreational activities and group games.
• Assist in implementing care plans designed by licensed therapists.
• Monitor patient behavior and safety throughout activities and day.
• Facilitate groups, provide emotional coaching, and assist with de-escalation.
• Serve as a positive role model and support healthy decision-making.
• Maintain a structured, safe, and engaging environment indoors and outdoors.
• Perform physical holds and movements as safety dictates.

Skills

Compassionate & Energetic

Emotionally Resilient

Physically Capable

Recreation-Minded

Safety-Focused

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, special education, or related field

Four years of progressive work experience

Tools

CPR certification

Nonviolent Crisis Intervention

Behavioral Health certification (preferred)

Job description

Description

Mental Health Technician (MHT) in Allied Therapy

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact through movement, creativity, and connection? Shodair Children’s Hospital is seeking compassionate and active Mental Health Technicians (MHTs) to join our Allied Therapy team, with a special focus on Recreational Therapy. This role goes beyond traditional care—it's about using play, outdoor adventure, group activities, and therapeutic recreation to support the emotional and behavioral growth of children and teens.

What You'll Do:

• Support and engage patients (ages 3–18) in therapeutic recreational activities, ropes course challenges, and group games
• Help implement care plans designed by licensed therapists to build coping, communication, and social skills
• Monitor patient behavior and safety during activities and throughout the day
• Participate in group facilitation, emotional coaching, and de-escalation strategies
• Serve as a positive role model, encouraging healthy decision-making and peer interactions
• Assist in maintaining a structured, safe, and fun therapeutic environment—indoors and out
• Must be able to successfully perform physical holds, movements and carries.
• Blocking and redirecting patient movements against the patient’s weight
• Physical interventions in response to aggressive and self-injurious behavior.
• Ability to move quickly and confidently to intervene in situations when protective holds and/or movements are deemed necessary.
• Physically able to perform, but not but not limited to: pivoting, knee squats, shuffling front and backwards, assisting with carrying a person, assisting a person to the floor, stabilizing people in standing, seated, prone and supine positions.
  

Ideal Characteristics:

• Compassionate & Energetic – Loves working with youth and thrives in a physically active role
• Emotionally Resilient – Keeps calm under pressure and maintains boundaries
• Physically Capable – Can hike, play, lift, and keep up with busy kids
• Recreation-Minded – Comfortable leading games, creative activities, or outdoor adventures
• Safety-Focused – Maintains awareness and follows safety protocols
  

Why Join Shodair?
Working as an MHT in Allied Therapy is rewarding, active, and purpose-driven. You'll be part of a team that believes in healing through movement, connection, and play.

Shodair offers:
$25/hr starting pay
Free medical and vision insurance
Tuition reimbursement & student loan assistance
6% employer-paid 403(b) retirement contribution
Generous paid time off
Ropes course & lifeguard training included!

If you want to help kids heal while hiking, swimming, and laughing—this is your chance.

Apply today and bring your energy, empathy, and enthusiasm to the trail of healing.

Requirements

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, special education, or a related field; or four (4) years of progressively responsible work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience working with children or in a behavioral health or healthcare setting is strongly preferred.
  

Certifications:

• Must obtain and maintain CPR and Nonviolent Crisis Intervention with Advanced Physical Skills within two (2) months of hire.
• Additional certifications (e.g., ServSafe, Lifeguard, high ropes) may be required based on unit assignment.
• Certification in Behavioral Health is strongly preferred.