Recreation Therapist

Greenlife Healthcare Staffing•Dix Hills, NY

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Recreation Therapist provides structured therapeutic recreation services to children and adolescents receiving inpatient psychiatric care. The therapist plans, implements, and evaluates individualized and group recreation programs that support treatment goals, improve social and coping skills, promote appropriate leisure participation, and contribute to each patient's overall rehabilitation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, recreation, physical education, adaptive physical education, or a closely related field.
Education must include coursework in therapeutic recreation or recreation therapy.
Experience in recreation therapy or structured therapeutic activities in a behavioral health, psychiatric, pediatric, developmental disability, rehabilitation, residential treatment, or comparable clinical setting.
Experience working with children or adolescents with behavioral or psychiatric needs.
Current Basic Life Support or CPR certification.
Current First Aid certification.
Ability to satisfy required background checks, health screenings, immunization requirements, and facility clearance standards.
Ability to complete mandatory facility orientation and training.
Ability to perform the physical duties associated with supervising and conducting recreation activities.
Therapeutic recreation assessment and treatment planning
Individual and group activity facilitation
Pediatric and adolescent behavioral health
Crisis prevention and de-escalation
Behavioral observation and intervention
Trauma-informed care
Patient safety and risk awareness
Activity adaptation
Verbal and written communication
Organization and time management
Professional judgment and boundaries
Confidentiality and regulatory compliance
Ability to work effectively in a secure inpatient psychiatric environment

Nice To Haves

Current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential preferred.

Responsibilities

Assess patients’ recreational interests, functional abilities, limitations, behaviors, and therapeutic needs.
Develop individualized and group therapeutic recreation activities consistent with treatment plans.
Conduct structured recreation programs that support emotional regulation, social interaction, communication, self-esteem, coping skills, and appropriate leisure participation.
Provide indoor and outdoor activities appropriate to patients’ ages, clinical conditions, developmental levels, and safety needs.
Adapt activities for patients with behavioral, cognitive, emotional, developmental, or physical limitations.
Observe patient participation, behavior, progress, and response to therapeutic activities.
Document assessments, interventions, attendance, progress, and outcomes.
Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, clinical meetings, etc.
Monitor and account for recreation equipment, supplies, and materials.
Inspect activity areas and equipment for safety hazards and report concerns promptly.
Apply approved behavioral-support, de-escalation, emergency, and safety procedures.
Maintain professional boundaries and protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
Comply with facility policies, treatment protocols, infection-control standards, and applicable regulations.
Complete required orientation, training, documentation, and competency requirements.
Perform related therapeutic recreation duties assigned within the scope of the position.