Expressive Therapist - Dance Movement Therapist - Children's Behavioral Health Center (Fall 2026)

Position Title

Expressive Therapist - Dance Movement Therapist - Children's Behavioral Health Center (Fall 2026) Department: Pediatric Behavioral Health IP

Job Description

• *Expressive Therapist positions are available at levels I, II, or III, depending on experience and education.
• Our NEW Pediatric Behavioral Health Center is scheduled to open in December 2026. Candidates applying for this position should expect a start date after September 1, 2026. All applicants must be 21 years of age or older and provide two professional references as part of the hiring process. Under the direction of Child Life, Integrative and Creative Care this role provides foundational clinical expressive therapy services for patients and families by using expressive modalities as tools to help them attain and maintain their maximum levels of functioning and coping in the area of physical, cognitive, communication and social/emotional health during hospitalization or residential programs. Program planning will be designed to reduce stress, increase adaptive coping, provide normalization, promote social interaction and support developmental integrity through expressive experiences and interventions in a safe environment. Essential Responsibilities Responsibilities listed in this section are core to the position. Inability to perform these responsibilities with or without an accommodation may result in disqualification from the position. Will assess and prioritize patient needs through referrals and patient review process. Identify interventions based on patient assessment, match techniques to developmental, emotional, physical and social needs of patients and families. Provide expressive therapy, through a multitude of modalities, interventions designed to meet patients' physical or psychological needs. Inform and educate patients and families on the use of expressive therapy techniques to support health coping and normal growth and development. Involve family members in expressive therapy services per assessment including teaching skills and resources for transition to home. Implement and document patient care plans; communicate plans and outcomes to others. Provide expressive therapy programming to complement work in meeting the psychosocial and developmental needs of patients and families. Provide individual and group sessions to fulfill therapeutic objectives, including but not limited to: anxiety reduction, pain management, developmental stimulation, alternative means of expression/communication, positive coping techniques, procedural support, quality of life and family/patient support. Identify and educate appropriate expressive therapy resources for each patient and family. Participate in interdisciplinary team planning and co-treating. Monitor patient progress and remain adaptive in plan of care. Incorporate expressive therapy in development of patient's self-awareness and expression, coping skills, sense of well-being and social behavior. Provide educational in-services for patients and families as well as staff members. Supports the training and supervision of students and volunteers related to expressive therapy. General Responsibilities Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Education Requirements Dance/Movement: Master's Degree in Dance Movement Therapy from a program approved by ADTA, or Master's Degreee in related field with alternate route approved by ADTA. Education must be obtained from an accredited institution. Experience Requirements Dance: Hospital, rehabilitation center, or residential facility experience strongly preferred. License/Certification/Registration Requirements Current Basic Life Support issued by the American Heart Association required with in 30 days of start date.

Dance

• Registered Dance Movement Therapist (R-DMT); yoga certification or therapist strongly preferred Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Requirements Working knowledge of expressive therapies and impact to patients and families. Must have knowledge of the theories of expressive therapy, best practices, family systems, cultural awareness and human growth and development. Must have effective oral and written communication skills. Ability to work with an interdisciplinary team. Skill in the supervision of students and volunteers. Must have good interpersonal skills to develop effective working relationships and to deal with difficult family/individual dynamics. Knowledge of performance improvement tools and how to monitor an ongoing process. Skill in planning programs and analyzing the problems that arise. Good presentation skills for representing the department to internal and external audiences. Computer skills and a general knowledge of office procedures. Must be self motivated and able to problem solve both independently and in a team setting. Current OU Health Employees - Please click HERE to login. OU Health is an equal opportunity employer. We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including PTO, 401(k), medical and dental plans, and many more. We know that a total benefits and compensation package, designed to meet your specific needs both inside and outside of the work environment, create peace of mind for you and your family. OU Health is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Health is home to Oklahoma’s largest doctor network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Health serves Oklahoma and the region with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute-Designated OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center, Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center and Edmond Medical Center in the heart of the Edmond Community. Becker’s Hospital Review named University of Oklahoma Medical Center one of the 100 Great Hospitals in America for 2020. OU Health’s oncology program at OU Health Stephenson Cancer Center was named Oklahoma’s top facility for cancer care by U.S. News & World Report in its 2020-21 rankings. OU Health also was ranked by U.S.
• News &
• World
• Report as high performing in these specialties: Colon Surgery, COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. OU Health’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. Experts in prevention, treatment and cures, our team works to improve lives through innovation in medical care, education and research, while investing in the people, technologies and facilities that will enable us to achieve our goals. We are seeking individuals who have a passion and talent for caring for others. By joining our team, you will provide quality health care to our community through the work you do every day. We provide clinical and non-clinical opportunities to further your career and we invite you to explore our available positions. Equal employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or protected veteran status in accordance with applicable federal laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Reasonable accommodations are made to the known physical and mental limitations of qualified individuals with disabilities.