Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs in Missouri
Certified Recreational Therapist jobs in Missouri are concentrated in Kansas City, St. Louis, and Columbia, where large health systems, rehabilitation networks, and behavioral health facilities maintain consistent hiring activity. Employers like BJC HealthCare, MU Health Care, and Saint Luke's Health System have long-standing therapeutic recreation programs across inpatient rehabilitation, geriatric care, and behavioral health settings. Demand is strongest for therapists with expertise in cognitive rehabilitation, geriatric activity programming, and mental health treatment. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 12+ Certified Recreational Therapist jobs
- Responsible for completing an Activity Therapy Assessment for all new patients within 72 hours to understand social, physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of patients ranging from adolescents through geriatric.
- Facilities and documents group therapy and activities using recreational therapy skills; demonstrates knowledge of group therapy dynamics and leadership
- Actively participates in the treatment planning process utilizing results from patient activity therapy assessment to inform treatment needs
- Serve children and adolescents, adults and seniors with innovative and evidence-based inpatient behavioral healthcare focused on individual needs and comfort.
- Create more than 200 new, full-time jobs including nurses, clinicians, therapists, technicians and administrative staff, when the facility is fully operational.
- Be located at the intersection of I-70 and Little Blue Parkway, adjacent to the Children’s Mercy Hospital Outpatient Clinics.
- Feature 120 licensed beds ready to meet the mental health needs of the surrounding community.
- Span more than 88,000 square feet, and will include an activity yard and gym.
- Competitive Compensation and Generous Paid Time Off
- Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plan
- Employee Assistance Program available for employees and family
- 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
- Basic Life Insurance and Optional supplemental life insurance
- Career development opportunities across UHS and out 300+ locations!
- Challenging and rewarding work environment
- More Information is available on our benefits Guest Website: benefits.uhsguest.com
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation Therapy or in a Creative Art Therapy field (i.e., Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Recreation Therapy, Dance Therapy or Psychodrama); or a major in a related therapeutic discipline including occupational therapy. Master’s degree, preferred.
- Previous experience in healthcare, rehabilitation, behavioral health, or long-term care preferred
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work a full time schedule that includes some evenings
- Responsible for completing an Activity Therapy Assessment for all new patients within 72 hours to understand social, physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning of patients ranging from adolescents through geriatric.
- Facilities and documents group therapy and activities using recreational therapy skills; demonstrates knowledge of group therapy dynamics and leadership
- Actively participates in the treatment planning process utilizing results from patient activity therapy assessment to inform treatment needs
- Serve children and adolescents, adults and seniors with innovative and evidence-based inpatient behavioral healthcare focused on individual needs and comfort.
- Create more than 200 new, full-time jobs including nurses, clinicians, therapists, technicians and administrative staff, when the facility is fully operational.
- Be located at the intersection of I-70 and Little Blue Parkway, adjacent to the Children’s Mercy Hospital Outpatient Clinics.
- Feature 120 licensed beds ready to meet the mental health needs of the surrounding community.
- Span more than 88,000 square feet, and will include an activity yard and gym.
- Competitive Compensation and Generous Paid Time Off
- Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plan
- Employee Assistance Program available for employees and family
- 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
- Basic Life Insurance and Optional supplemental life insurance
- Career development opportunities across UHS and out 300+ locations!
- Challenging and rewarding work environment
- More Information is available on our benefits Guest Website: benefits.uhsguest.com
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Recreation Therapy or in a Creative Art Therapy field (i.e., Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Recreation Therapy, Dance Therapy or Psychodrama); or a major in a related therapeutic discipline including occupational therapy. Master’s degree, preferred.
- Previous experience in healthcare, rehabilitation, behavioral health, or long-term care preferred
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work a full time schedule that includes some evenings
See All 12 Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs in Missouri
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Find JobsCertified Recreational Therapist Jobs by City in Missouri
Where Missouri roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Certified Recreational Therapist Job Market in Missouri
A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Missouri Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in certified recreational therapist jobs across Missouri.
- Active Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential through NCTRC required
- Bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or closely related therapeutic field
- Experience delivering therapeutic recreation programs in clinical or residential settings
- Ability to develop individualized treatment plans aligned with interdisciplinary care goals
- Current CPR and basic life support certification required at time of hire
- Strong documentation skills and familiarity with electronic health record systems
Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a certified recreational therapist in Missouri?
Becoming a certified recreational therapist in Missouri requires earning a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or a closely related field, completing a supervised clinical internship, and passing the national exam administered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification to earn the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential. Missouri does not issue a separate state license, so the NCTRC credential is the recognized professional standard employers use for hiring decisions.
Which companies hire certified recreational therapists in Missouri?
Missouri certified recreational therapist roles are posted by Three Trails Behavioral Hospital, CoxHealth, and Cox Monett Hospital and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Missouri's largest health systems, long-term care networks, and state-operated behavioral health facilities account for the majority of consistent openings across the state.
Which Missouri cities have the most certified recreational therapist jobs?
Springfield, Blue Springs, and Dexter lead Missouri in certified recreational therapist openings, reflecting the concentration of major hospital systems, inpatient rehabilitation centers, and behavioral health campuses in those markets. Larger metro areas like Kansas City and St. Louis drive the highest volume because they anchor the state's most extensive healthcare infrastructure, while Columbia benefits from MU Health Care and affiliated university programs.
Are there remote certified recreational therapist jobs in Missouri?
Yes, but they're rare. Certified recreational therapy is a hands-on clinical discipline requiring direct patient interaction, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of certified recreational therapist openings tied to Missouri are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to be administrative, supervisory, or program coordination roles rather than direct care positions.
How can I get hired as a certified recreational therapist in Missouri with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for activity assistant or therapeutic recreation aide roles at Missouri long-term care facilities or state-operated behavioral health centers, which frequently hire candidates who are working toward their NCTRC credential. BJC HealthCare and MU Health Care both offer internship and clinical rotation placements that convert to entry-level hires. Completing your NCTRC application immediately after your internship and targeting positions posted as associate or entry-level recreational therapist roles gives new graduates a concrete advantage over candidates still pending credentialing.
Where can I find and apply to certified recreational therapist jobs in Missouri?
You can find and apply to certified recreational therapist jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current Missouri openings across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, behavioral health facilities, and long-term care settings. Find roles that fit your experience and location and apply directly.
See All 12 Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs in Missouri
Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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