VitalCore Health Strategies logo
VitalCore Health Strategies
Leakesville, Mississippi

Behavioral Health Activity Technician

HealthcareFull-Time

Listed compensation

$20-$21/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 1h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Join the VitalCore Team in Mississippi! We're people who are fueled by passion, not by profit.

VitalCore Health Strategies, (VCHS), an industry leader in correctional healthcare, has openings for a Behavioral Health Activity Technician at South Mississippi Correctional Institute in Leakesville, Mississippi!

Looking for a rewarding career in the healthcare field with competitive wages, an annual incentive bonus, and an excellent benefits package?

At VitalCore we pride ourselves on retaining and acquiring compassionate, dedicated individuals who are committed to providing quality services. Join our team and experience first-hand how VitalCore Health Strategies promotes a positive work environment that is based on respect and appreciation of the hard work and dedication of our staff.

Behavioral Health Activity Technician Position Summary

To perform this job successfully, the Behavioral Health Activity Technician must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and provided routine care for behaviorally impaired and emotionally disturbed patients under the direction of licensed behavioral health staff and provide purposeful, goal-oriented activities that teach and facilitate skills in assertiveness, independent living, interpersonal and social skills, and promoting individualized interest and pursuits. This position requires creativity and adaptability while leading groups of offenders.

Behavioral Health Activity Technician Essential Functions

  • Leads, instructs and encourages inmate patients in a program of individual and group activities of a physical, social, and cultural nature.
  • Work with the behavioral health team to plan treatment goals for specific patients.
  • Assist in coordinating recreation therapy with other therapeutic programs.
  • Observe patients’ reactions and progress.
  • Record clinical notes to be included in medical files and prepare reports.
  • Regular monitoring of inmates' program involvement.
  • Notify Behavioral Health/Clinical Director in a timely manner of inmate problems requiring attention.
  • Attends training and meetings as required.
  • Other duties, as assigned.

Behavioral Health Activity Technician Minimum Requirements

  • CNA or CMA Certified preferred or Two (2) years of experience in Therapeutic Recreation or related field providing activities programming for persons who have a serious mental illness.
  • Experience working in a correctional mental health setting preferred.
  • Associates or Bachelors degree in related field preferred (Art, Art therapy, Mental Health etc)
  • Must be able to pass a background investigation and obtain agency security clearance where applicable.

VitalCore Health Strategies is an equal opportunity employer and committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive workplace in which all employees have an opportunity to participate and contribute to the success of the business and are valued for their skills, experience, and unique perspectives.

Key Responsibilities

The Behavioral Health Activity Technician provides routine care for behaviorally impaired patients and facilitates goal-oriented activities to teach independent living and social skills. They also collaborate with the behavioral health team to plan treatment goals, monitor patient progress, and maintain clinical documentation.

Requirements

Candidates should have a CNA or CMA certification or two years of experience in therapeutic recreation or a related mental health field. A background investigation and security clearance are required for this role in a correctional setting.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Patient monitoringTreatment planningGroup facilitationAssertiveness trainingIndependent living skillsInterpersonal skillsSocial skills trainingMental health supportCrisis interventionPatient care

Healthcare Professional Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Mississippi is 87.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$43k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $49k in an average-cost state. 61.9% of Mississippi clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

healthcare pay on WeekdayDoc is down 20.2% vs. the prior quarter (through Oct 2026).

What does the healthcare market look like in Mississippi?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$49k in purchasing powerMississippi index 87.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
healthcare listings in Mississippi8 active2,071 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
healthcare pay trend−20.2% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Work-life snapshot

1.5/ 10
Listing-based score
VitalCore Health Strategies logo

About VitalCore Health Strategies

Hospitals and Health Care
Topeka, Kansas
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Competitive wages
Annual incentive bonus
Excellent benefits package

Living in Leakesville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$133k
Median resident rent
$767/mo
Residents’ average commute
48 min
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.