PRN -Mental Health Tech – Recreation & Activities (Group Facilitator)

Responsibilities

Looking for a rewarding way to earn extra income? Whether you’re saving for the holidays, supplementing your current job, or looking for a flexible schedule, this PRN opportunity could be the perfect fit! Weekend availability is required, as this role supports therapeutic programming seven days a week. You’ll have the opportunity to lead engaging activities, interact with patients, and make a positive impact as part of our Recreational Therapy team.

Hickory Trail Hospital, an 86-bed behavioral health facility located just south of Dallas, has been providing quality health care to the residents of DFW since 1988. Hickory Trail Hospital provides inpatient and day treatment for children, adolescents, adults, and senior adults. Our professional staff individualizes care to uniquely fit the intensity and severity of each client's case and their family's needs. Because crisis occurs at all times of the day and night, our services are provided 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  We are also a proud supporter of the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention.

Visit us online at https://www.hickorytrail.com/

Position Summary:

The Mental Health Technician – Recreation & Activities plays a vital role in supporting the emotional, social, and physical well-being of patients in a behavioral health setting. This position combines the responsibilities of a Mental Health Technician with the creativity and leadership of an Activities Coordinator by facilitating therapeutic groups, recreational activities, and patient engagement opportunities that promote recovery and improve quality of life.

Working closely with the Recreational Therapy team and interdisciplinary treatment team, this individual plans and leads structured activities, encourages patient participation, maintains a safe and therapeutic environment, documents patient involvement, and provides supportive interactions throughout the day. While this position includes Mental Health Technician responsibilities, the primary focus is on therapeutic programming, group facilitation, and enhancing the patient experience through meaningful activities.

The ideal candidate is energetic, compassionate, creative, and enjoys engaging with others. A background or interest in recreation therapy, psychology, social work, education, art, music, human services, or behavioral health is preferred.

Qualifications

Education: High school graduation or equivalent required.  Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Occupational, Art, Music, or Recreation therapy, humanities, social work or related therapeutic discipline is preferred. 

Experience: One (1) year of related experience, with knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques with understanding of mental illness, is preferred. 

Licensure: Certification or licensure by state and/or national governing body in of the following areas: art, occupational, recreation, or music therapy, preferred. 

Additional Requirements: Successful completion of CPR Certification and successful completion of de-escalation and restraint training prior to assisting with a restraining procedure.  Certification training may be obtained during new hire orientation.  May be required to work overtime and flexible hours.   

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. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.

Notice

At UHS and all subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates with matching skillset and experience with the best possible career at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a highly efficient and best in class candidate experience. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. The recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail etc. If you feel suspicious of a job posting or job-related email, let us know by contacting us at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852-3449.