Art Therapist - Behavioral Health Specialist 1-Oregon State Hospital, Salem

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the Oregon State Hospital as an Art Therapist, providing specialized treatment to patients in a supportive and collaborative environment. This role requires a Master's Degree in Art Therapy and offers a competitive salary range with comprehensive benefits. Ideal candidates will have experience in mental health settings and possess effective communication abilities.

Benefits

Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits

11 paid holidays

Public Employees Retirement System membership

Training opportunities for career growth

Qualifications

• Credentialed as an Art Therapist - Provisional Registered (ATR-P) within 6 months of hire.
• 1 year of related experience.
• Experience in an institutional mental health setting.

Responsibilities

• Assess clinical needs of patients and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Implement and document clinical interventions and patient responses.
• Provide evidence-based group and individual therapy.

Skills

Communication

Patient Interaction

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Education

Master’s Degree in Art Therapy

Job description

Initial Posting Date:

06/17/2025

Application Deadline:

07/15/2025

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$5,842 - $8,148

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Art Therapist - Behavioral Health Specialist 1-Oregon State Hospital, Salem

Job Description:

Opportunity Awaits, Apply today! Credentialed Art Therapist-BHS1 Oregon State Hospital in Salem

Oregon State Hospital, a Joint Commission and CMS certified public psychiatric hospital, provides psychiatric hospital services and patient treatment services to persons committed by the Oregon courts as part of the state mental health system.

The Oregon State Hospital Salem Campus is a 610-bed facility supported by approximately 2,000 staff.

The Art Therapist provides individualized and group treatment to patients based on their discipline specific education, training, licensing, and credentialing in Art Therapy, as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team. Work is performed under the guidelines of the Art Therapy Credentialing Board & Oregon Health Authority Health Licensing Office Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

ASSESS CLINICAL NEEDS OF PATIENTS:

• Develop treatment recommendations for providing specialized services individualized to each person’s assessment outcomes and communicate to Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDT) through established communication channels.
• Document clinical assessments through established documentation methods in Electronic Medical Records in accordance with OSH policies and protocols.

IMPLEMENT CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS AND PROGRAMS:

• Provide Discipline specific (Art Therapy) services to patients through 1:1s, on-unit clinical groups, and/or treatment mall clinical groups.
• Provide evidence-based group and individual therapy to patients with consideration for a patient’s cultural identity and past trauma.
• Provide individual Discipline specific (Art Therapy) services as established in the client’s treatment care plan per the assessment, recommendations, and with interdisciplinary team collaboration.
• Implement approved program plans and curriculums within the Treatment Mall structure to meet patient treatment goals.

DOCUMENT CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS AND CLIENT RESPONSE:

• Document using the established Treatment Services protocols for the clients served using EMR.
• Within a timely manner.
• Indicate progress towards treatment care plan goals.
• Collect outcome data and share through documentation in the EMR.
• Recommendations for treatment.
• Follow JC/CMS requirements.

* Please note the Application Guidance below, the submission of a cover letter and resume, along with your application is required for consideration.

For a full review of the position description, https://www.oregon.gov/oha/Jobs/PostionDescriptions/OSH BHS1 RT Salem.doc

Minimum Qualifications

rt Therapy – Master’s Degree in Art Therapy , credentialed as an Art Therapist -Provisional Registered (ATR-P) within 6 months of hire , 1 year of experience , and the ATR-Provisional license through the Oregon Health Licensing Office when it becomes available (reference House Bill 3760 and 3761)

OR Master’s Degree in Art Therapy , credentialed as an Art Therapist Registered (ATR) and Oregon HLO licensed as a Licensed Art Therapist (LAT) within 6 months of hire, and 1 year of related experience.

What We Are Looking For

Desired Attributes: The following are skills and lived experiences that we have identified as key to success in this role at OSH. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you possess any of these, please let us know in your application.

• Experience working with patients/clients in an institutional mental health setting.
• Experience working in a locked facility.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) in a clear, concise, and complete manner.
• Experience working in an interdisciplinary clinical environment.
• Experience working with underserved populations of patients.

Special Requirements: To be hired, you must have a criminal records check, and drug screen that meets OHA/OSH criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment.

Application Guidance

How to Apply: Submission Requirements - At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume and cover letter prior to the end of the application process.

External Candidates : Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.

Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login . Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Before the job announcement closes, log in to your Workday account to check for pending tasks under “My Applications” and complete them.
• Remember to check your email (including your junk folder) and Workday inbox for updates on your application.
• We value our veterans! To ensure the security of your information, kindly follow the instructions for how to submit your Veteran documents for preference found here. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

Reminders:

• Your candidate profile and application materials are great opportunities to showcase your interest in the position and highlight your skills and experience. Submissions will be screened for consistency and communication skills, including attention to detail, spelling, and grammar. For more tips and guidance, check out What you need to know to get the job !
• This announcement is for 1 vacancy, time type: full-time, permanent, SEIU represented, Art Therapist (credentialed)-BHS1 SR 27 position based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is a In Office position.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline. For questions about the announcement, or if you require an alternate format to apply, please contact the Sr. Recruiter, Melissa Perez at: [e-mail]

Benefits of Joining Our Team

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment;promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from. If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program .
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on any protected class—including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation—and we do not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.