Recreation Therapist/Activities Therapist

Recreation Therapist / Activities Therapist:

The Recreation Therapist/Activities Therapist is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating structured therapeutic recreation and activity-based interventions to support cognitive, emotional, social, and physical functioning for clients across the lifespan. This role utilizes evidence-based practices to promote skill-building, community integration, behavioral regulation, executive functioning, and overall quality of life. The therapist collaborates with interdisciplinary team members—including nursing, behavioral health clinicians, direct support professionals (DSPs), and administrative staff—to ensure interventions align with individualized treatment plans.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Development & Facilitation

• Design and facilitate individual and group therapeutic recreation sessions, including cognitive-enhancement activities, expressive arts, movement-based groups, horticulture, community outings, and social-skills–building activities.
• Implement evidence-based interventions (CBT-informed coping skills training, mindfulness, behavioral activation, sensory modulation, executive functioning tasks).
• Adapt interventions to meet the needs of clients with TBI, neurodevelopmental disabilities, psychiatric conditions, and cognitive impairments.
• Develop weekly and monthly program schedules aligned with treatment goals and facility expectations.
• Incorporate structured learning objectives, group rules, psychoeducation, and progress tracking tools.

Assessment & Documentation

• Conduct initial and ongoing recreation therapy assessments to evaluate leisure interests, strengths, cognitive functioning, motor skills, and social engagement.
• Collaborate with clinical team to contribute to individualized treatment plans (ITPs) and behavioral support plans (BSPs).
• Maintain accurate, timely, and clinically appropriate documentation including attendance logs, progress notes, group summaries, risk assessments, and discharge summaries.
• Use measurable goals and data collection to evaluate client progress toward functional improvement.

Client Engagement & Support

• Provide therapeutic support to clients demonstrating emotional dysregulation, cognitive rigidity, frustration, or poor impulse control.
• Reinforce healthy coping strategies, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities through structured activities.
• Support clients in community integration outings, ensuring personal safety, adaptive functioning, and goal-focused engagement.
• Embed token economy systems, visual schedules, social stories, and behavioral reinforcement strategies as appropriate.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings to review client progress, identify program needs, and coordinate care.
• Communicate regularly with nursing, therapists, DSPs, and leadership regarding safety concerns, functional changes, and program updates.
• Assist with staff training related to group facilitation, activity engagement, therapeutic structuring, and behavior-support strategies.

Environment & Safety

• Maintain a clean, organized, and therapeutic environment for group and individual sessions.
• Ensure supplies, adaptive materials, and equipment support client needs, safety guidelines, and program goals.
• Follow all agency policies related to crisis prevention, infection control, and emergency procedures.

Minimum Education & Credential Requirements:

Recreation Therapist (CTRS Track)

• Bachelor’s in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or a closely related Human Services field.
• Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) preferred or eligibility to obtain within 6–12 months.
• CPR/First Aid certification (or completion within 60 days).
• Valid driver’s license (if community outings are part of the role).

Activities Therapist (Non-CTRS Track)

• Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Human Services, Education, Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Exercise Science, or related behavioral/health sciences.
• Experience facilitating structured activities in a clinical, residential, day program, school, or community setting required.
• Training or experience in at least one of the following strongly preferred:
• Cognitive or executive functioning interventions
• Behavioral health or TBI programming
• Expressive arts, movement therapy, or sensory-based interventions
• Group facilitation in clinical or habilitative environments

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms associated with TBI, ASD, SMI, intellectual disabilities, and mood disorders.
• Ability to design adaptive activities that target memory, attention, fine-motor skills, sequencing, problem-solving, and social communication.
• Excellent group management, behavioral support, and crisis-prevention skills.
• Proficient in documentation aligned with clinical, insurance, and agency standards.
• Ability to collaborate within a multidisciplinary team and communicate effectively.
• Creative, flexible, and able to tailor interventions to diverse functional levels.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to maintain structured routines.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs (activity supplies).
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and participate in dynamic movement-based sessions.
• Ability to support clients with mobility challenges as needed (non-medical assistance).

Work Environment

• Facility-based, community-based, and outdoor settings depending on scheduled programming.
• Interaction with clients who may present with cognitive impairments, behavioral challenges, or emotional dysregulation.

This is a 1099 role.

Pay: $27.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Work Location: In person