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Art/Drama/Dance/Music/Recreation Therapist

UCSF Health
San Francisco, CA Volunteer
POSTED ON 8/3/2026 CLOSED ON 8/10/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Art/Drama/Dance/Music/Recreation Therapist position at UCSF Health?

Job Description

Provides comprehensive rehabilitation therapy assessment and treatment interventions for adult psychiatric inpatients in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams. Plans, develops, and implements individual and group therapy sessions for adult inpatients. Primary responsibilities include: conducting group and individual therapy with patients; maintaining accurate and up-to-date charting; maintaining supplies and organizing inventory, supporting community and donor relations; and supervising interns and volunteers. Provides patient and/or family education regarding independent living skills, including self-care, socialization, leisure and coping skills. Provides specialized clinical groups and interventions including music, drama, art therapy as well as dual diagnosis/substance abuse, pain management.

Department Description

Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree required (as per requirements of the profession).
  • Certification or Registration in field of expertise or certification/registration eligible (see Required Licenses/Certifications).
  • Experience working with adults in individual and group-based interventions in psychiatric treatment of at least two years in duration (one year of experience if internship completed within the hiring department)
  • Demonstrates skills, knowledge, and ability in developmentally and age/population appropriate interventions.
  • Demonstrates ability to assess individual patients’ developmental level, general medical condition, psych-social needs, and capabilities.
  • Provides patients with opportunities for expressing their individual thoughts and feelings and provide support as part of patients’ therapeutic support system.
  • Demonstrates compassion and understanding in order to build a relationship of rapport and trust with patients and their families.
  • Ability to communicate pertinent information and concerns, and coordinate goals with medical staff for optimum health outcomes.
  • Demonstrates ability to plan and facilitate therapy groups.
  • Demonstrates skills in oral and written communication that will allow preparation of medical record documentation, oral presentation, and conference presentations.
  • This position requires flexibility to orient and work at all UCSF Medical Center locations.

Rec therapist 3 requires all the above plus the following:

  • Experience working with adults in individual and group-based intervention in psychiatric treatment of at least five years in duration.

Preferred

  • Experience working with people who have acute/severe mental illness.
  • Experience providing evidence-based treatments to psychiatrically acute patients in similar clinical setting.

Rec therapist 3 preferred qualifications include all the above plus the following:

  • Experience in mentoring and supervision
  • Experience in program development

Required Licenses/Certifications

  • Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC)
  • Board Certified (or certification eligible) Art Therapist (ATR-BC)
  • Registered (or registration eligible) Drama Therapist (RDT)
  • Board Certified (or certification eligible) Dance Movement Therapist (BC-DMT)
  • Registered (or registration eligible) Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT)
  • Certified Recreation Therapy Specialist (CTRS)

Certification/registration eligible applies to Rec therapist 2.

Certification or registration is required for Rec therapist 3.

About Us

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values .

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available here .

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Salary Information

The final salary and offer components are subject to additional approvals based on UC policy.

Your placement within the salary range is dependent on a number of factors including your work experience and internal equity within this position classification at UCSF. For positions that are represented by a labor union, placement within the salary range will be guided by the rules in the collective bargaining agreement.

To learn more about the benefits of working at UCSF, including total compensation, please visit: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/compensation-and-benefits/index.html

Hourly Wage Estimation for Art/Drama/Dance/Music/Recreation Therapist in San Francisco, CA
$32.00 to $40.00
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