Recreation Therapist

Recreation Therapist - Dix Hills, NY (#R10287)

Location: Dix Hills, New York
Employment Type: W2 Contract
Hourly Rate: $35 per hour

About Greenlife Healthcare Staffing:

Greenlife Healthcare Staffing is a leading nationwide recruitment agency dedicated to connecting healthcare professionals with top-tier opportunities. We partner with hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, multi-specialty groups, and private practices to match talented individuals with roles that align with their skills and career goals.

Position Overview:

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.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Compensation: Earn $35 per hour providing therapeutic recreation services to children and adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Comprehensive Benefits: W2 employment position with a consistent schedule.
• Work Schedule: Friday through Tuesday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. (Hours may differ based on facility needs.)
• Professional Growth: Gain valuable experience in a collaborative, innovative, and supportive environment while working with children and adolescents with behavioral and psychiatric needs.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving patient outcomes by supporting emotional regulation, social interaction, and rehabilitation through therapeutic recreation.

Qualifications:

• Job Qualifications & Certifications:
  • 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 Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential preferred.
  • 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.
• Skills:
  • 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

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess patients’ recreational interests, functional abilities, limitations, behaviors, and therapeutic needs.
• 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.