RECREATION THERAPIST

Gulfport Behavioral Health System; Gulfport (MS); On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Gulfport Behavioral Health System is seeking a PRN Recreation Therapist, Art Therapist, or Music Therapist to plan and implement engaging recreation activities across programs. You will join an interdisciplinary team to define treatment goals and provide continuous patient care, observation, and role modeling for diverse patients including children, teens, adults, and military personnel.

The role emphasizes collaboration, patient comfort, and active participation in care plans, with CPR and CPI

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a therapeutic discipline as listed.
• Minimum one year related psychiatric patient care experience preferred.
• CPR certification and CPI de-escalation training required or completed within 90 days.
• Licensure or certification in art, occupational, recreation, or music therapy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement recreation activities for each assigned program.
• Define and implement treatment goals as part of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Provide continuous patient care, observation, interaction and role modeling.
• Work with children, adolescents, adults and military patients as assigned.

Skills

One year related experience

CPR Certification

CPI de-escalation training

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Observation and patient care

Mental health care knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Occupational, Art, Music, or Recreation therapy, humanities, social work or related therapeutic discipline

Licensure preferred (state/national cert/licensure in art/occupational/recreation/music therapy)

Job description

Position Summary

Join a team where the PRN Recreation Therapist, Art Therapist, or Music Therapist is responsible for planning and implementing recreation activities for each assigned program. This includes defining and implementing treatment goals as a member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and providing continuous patient care, observation, interaction, and role modeling to children, adolescent, adult and military patients.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational, Art, Music, or Recreation therapy, humanities, social work or related therapeutic discipline.
• Experience: One (1) year of related experience, with knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques with understanding of mental illness, preferred.
• Licensure: Prefer certification or licensure by state and/or national governing body in of the following areas: art, occupational, recreation, or music therapy.
• Additional Requirements: Successful completion of CPR Certification and successful completion of CPI – de-escalation and restraint training prior to assisting with a restraining procedure or within 90 days of employment. May be required to work overtime and flexible hours.

What do our current employees value at Gulfport Behavioral Health and UHS?

An environment that puts patient care first. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is providing excellent care, comfort, and security to the patients and families you treat, at their most vulnerable times. Supportive and responsive leadership. You are never alone, as you are part of a large network of peer co-workers that routinely exchange ideas and review current topics within the industry. Having the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance in your career. There are very robust continuing education options and opportunities for skills diversification and career advancement with UHS.

Benefit Highlights

• Challenging and rewarding work environment
• Competitive Compensation
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!
• More information is available on our Benefits Guest Website: benefits.uhsguest.com

For more information, contact: Cynthia Render-Leach, Human Resources Director at 228-236-2129 or [e-mail].

About Universal Health Services

One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 101,500 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. For additional information visit www.uhs.com.

EEO Statement

All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.