Recreational Therapist

UNC Health•Chapel Hill, NC

13d•Onsite

About The Position

The Recreational Therapist I provides evidence-based assessment, treatment interventions, education, and discharge planning for patients and caregivers across medical and behavioral health settings. The position serves diverse populations, including patients on burn, oncology, bone marrow, and inpatient mental health units. The clinician applies knowledge of psychiatric and psychosocial conditions—including mood, anxiety, psychotic, trauma-related, substance use, cognitive, and adjustment-related disorders—to provide therapeutic recreation interventions tailored to individual needs. As part of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team, the Recreational Therapist uses meaningful leisure and therapeutic activities to support physical functioning, emotional well-being, coping and stress-management skills, symptom management, adjustment to trauma and lifestyle changes, independence, recovery, community reintegration, and quality of life. Care is person-centered, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented, with collaboration throughout assessment, treatment, education, and discharge planning. The role also supports professional and departmental development through student shadowing, clinical instruction and mentorship, new employee training, continuing education, and community outreach. The clinician contributes to program development, quality improvement, problem-solving, professional growth, and productivity enhancement. The schedule is Monday through Friday, with occasional weekend and holiday coverage. This is a full-time, onsite position with 40 standard hours per week in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy, including an internship.
Licensed as a Recreational Therapist by the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL).
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
BLS certification within 3 months of hire.
Effective communication and interprofessional skills.
Physical stamina and ability to perform repetitive movements, including sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, and squatting during patient interventions while supporting one’s weight.
Ability to engage in high-level problem-solving to ensure patient safety during mobilization.

Nice To Haves

Inpatient mental health experience.
Experience is not required; the posting describes it as an ideal-candidate qualification.

Responsibilities

Analyze assessment and evaluation data; plan, develop, and document individualized treatment plans with short- and long-term goals and interventions.
Develop and document discharge and transition plans in collaboration with patients, families or significant others, and the treatment team.
Document and report patient responses to interventions; reassess and evaluate progress toward goals; and modify treatment goals or plans as needed.
Implement individualized treatment plans and facilitate interventions to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate functioning and increase patient independence.
Advocate for and facilitate necessary change, development for people, and initiatives; exemplify quality service; and promote accountability in professional practice.
Provide clinical education or supervision to staff, interns, clinical fellows, and other disciplines; participate in competency assessment and enhancement activities; and meet development goals.
Plan, develop, coordinate, and evaluate specialized programs for clinical service areas; participate in evaluation, research, and quality improvement activities.
Participate in the acquisition and maintenance of supplies and equipment, and in facility planning.
Respond to physicians’ orders for patient assessment and treatment; assess and document patients’ needs, interests, and abilities.
Contribute to student shadowing, clinical instruction and mentorship, new employee training, continuing education, and community outreach.