Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

University of Missouri Health Care • Columbia, MO

7d • $19 - $30 • Onsite

About The Position

MU Health Care is looking for a compassionate, creative, and highly motivated Therapeutic Recreation Specialist who is passionate about helping patients achieve meaningful progress through engagement, connection, and therapeutic recreation. The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player who thrives in a multidisciplinary environment and brings energy, empathy, and innovation to every patient interaction. We value professionals who can build trust, inspire participation, and adapt activities to meet the unique needs and goals of each individual. Successful candidates will combine strong interpersonal skills with a genuine commitment to improving quality of life, promoting independence, and supporting successful community reintegration. If you are a patient-centered advocate who enjoys developing meaningful relationships, encouraging personal growth, and making a lasting impact on the healing journey, we invite you to join our team. At MU Health Care, you'll have the opportunity to use your talents to enrich lives while contributing to a culture of excellence, compassion, and collaborative care. MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes’ Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that’s largely a result of the incredible culture and team we’ve built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions. We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger — to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine. Our academic health system — the only in mid-Missouri — is home to seven hospitals, including the region’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and region’s only Children’s Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions — with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities can be acquired.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification, or certification eligible, by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
• Additional license/certification requirements as determined by the hiring department.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate patient therapeutic recreational needs, develop individual goals and objectives, and follow up on patient progress.
• Assess through observation patient group and social skills, use of communication, and problems, which would hinder re-integration.
• Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team (such as physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers) to develop and implement patient treatment plans.
• Work with other departments to coordinate services.
• Document patient progress towards goals and objectives and report progress in team rounds and conferences.
• Plan, conduct, coordinate, and supervise a variety of therapeutic recreation programs, including programming in leisure skills, social skills, diversional activities, and fitness.
• Provide educational and/or in-service training/programs as necessary to staff, volunteers, allied health professionals, community and patient families.
• May complete unit/department specific duties as outlined in department documents.

Benefits

• Health, vision and dental insurance coverage starting day one
• Generous paid leave and paid time off, including nine holidays
• Multiple retirement options, including 100% matching up to 8% and full vesting in three years
• Tuition assistance for employees (75%) and immediate family members (50%)
• Discounts on cell phone plans, rental cars, gyms, hotels and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level