Please note: Effective October 1, 2025, the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services has transitioned to its new name—the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health. This change reflects our continued commitment to providing comprehensive, person-centered care that addresses the full range of behavioral health needs for Ohioans. All positions and services now fall under the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health as we move forward in serving individuals, families, and communities across the state.
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Plans, organizes & facilitates a comprehensive program of recreational, art, or music therapy/adjunctive therapy (AT) for assigned unit.
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Conducts therapy sessions using defined therapy techniques & mediums.
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Conducts individual & group therapy sessions for evaluation & skills/performance development in areas.
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Completes documentation to Joint Commission and CMS standards.
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Functions as a primary member of assigned interdisciplinary treatment team; evaluates patients; formulates & implements Individual Treatment Plan.
This is an hourly position covered by the OCSEA/AFSCME bargaining unit (union), with a pay range of 29 on the OCSEA Pay Range Schedule. This position is located within Central Ohio Behavioral Healthcare, located at 2200 W. Broad St. Columbus, OH 43223.
Unless required by any applicable union contract and/or requirements of the Ohio Revised Code, the selected candidate will begin at Step 1 of the pay range schedule listed above, with an opportunity for pay increase after six months of satisfactory performance and then a yearly raise thereafter.
Alongside the base schedule, the goal will be to provide additional programming coverage for rotating weekends and one weeknight.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
- Medical Coverage
- Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
- Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
- Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
- Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
Qualifications
Position Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in music therapy from an accredited institution approved by American Music Therapy Association (i.e., AMTA); completion of 6 mos., 1040-hour music therapy internship at an approved AMTA cite & board certification (i.e., MT-BC) by certification board for music therapists (i.e., CBMT); 24 mos. exp. in activity therapy.
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12 mos. exp. as Activity Therapy Specialist 1, 44213.
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A bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation; completion of 1000 hour clinical practicum & certification by national council on therapeutic recreation certification; 24 mos. exp. in activity therapy.
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The completion of undergraduate core program in recreation, physical education or specialty area (e.g., music, art, drama, dance); 24 mos. exp. in activity therapy.
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The completion of associate degree in recreation or specialty area (e.g., music, art, drama, dance); 24 mos. exp. in activity therapy.
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The equivalent of the minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.
Primary Job Skill: Mental Health
Technical Skills: Behavioral Health, Arts, Advocacy
Professional Skills: Cultural Awareness, Building Trust, Collaboration, Establishing Relationships, Decision Making, Adaptability, Teamwork, Strong Written and Verbal Communication
Required Educational Transcripts
Official transcripts are required for all post-secondary education, coursework, or degrees listed on the application. Applicants must submit an official transcript before receiving a formal employment offer. Failure to provide transcripts within five (5) business days of the request will result in disqualification from further consideration. Transcripts printed from the institution’s website will not be accepted. DBH reserves the right to evaluate the academic validity of the degree-granting institution.
Supplemental Information
Application Procedures
To be considered for this position, you must apply online through this posting website (careers.ohio.gov). We no longer accept paper applications. When completing your online Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. We will not give credit for your qualifications, experience, education, and training in the job selection process if there is no evidence provided on your application. In addition, “see resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be fully supported by the work experience/education sections of your application. You may check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website (careers.ohio.gov). We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email regularly.
Background Check Notice
The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
Rule 5122-7-21, “Background check on applicants,” outlines disqualifying offenses that will preclude an applicant from being employed by the Department of Behavioral Health.
If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, assessment &/or interview, please contact Andrew Seifert, EEO/ADA Administrator at [email protected] or 614-466-8884.
All final applicants tentatively selected for this class will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment.
ADA Statement
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free Workplace
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
