CPT Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
Certified Recreational Therapist roles require CTRS credentials and direct patient contact hours, making them a strong fit for CPT when your program integrates clinical fieldwork into the curriculum. Your DSO must authorize each placement, and the work must tie directly to your therapeutic recreation or health sciences degree.
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Cost Center
168 Activity Therapy
Scheduled Weekly Hours
40
Work Shift
First Shift (United States of America)
Who Are We?
We at Pine Rest believe in the power of healing and that everyone in our community has the right to expert care for mental health and substance use disorders. We are much more than just the third largest non-profit behavioral health system in the country, our 220-acre main campus, and our network of clinical sites across Michigan. We are a tight-knit community of healers who witness the impact of our life-changing work each day.
Each day, we are closing the gaps in access to care. We are innovating through leading-edge research, testing, programs, and treatment modalities that others replicate across the country. Our services include a state-of-the-art psychiatric urgent care center and a soon-to-be-built pediatric behavioral health center, outpatient, inpatient, partial hospitalization (day programs), assessment and testing, residential, addiction treatment and specialty services such as crisis response, employee assistance programs, forensic psychiatry and psychology, and neuromodulation. On-the-job educational programs for nurses, psychologists, advanced practice providers, psychiatrists, and chaplains are equipping the next generation of care providers.
We are passionate about serving and are honored to be a part of this incredible work.
What Will you Do?
As a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, the Recreational Therapist Intern utilizes clinical skills associated with current training in area of expertise, the expressive arts therapies, recreation therapies, and psycho-educational interventions to plan, organize and implement a program of ancillary services. Assesses patients' capabilities, needs, interests and goals to design an individualized treatment program consistent with the interdisciplinary team's goals. The Recreational Therapist intern must demonstrate excellent customer service and have enthusiasm about the program and the Pine Rest organization.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assesses patient care needs, develops/implements a treatment plan in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, and continually reassesses treatment plan according to patient care needs.
- Plans and participates in milieu programming: teaching, skill building, and therapy groups.
- Establishes therapeutic relationships with patients.
- Provides input to the interdisciplinary treatment plan while functioning as a team member.
- Responsible for monitoring and reporting to manager and unit leaders any potential risk to patient safety that could lead to an adverse outcome.
- Utilizes processes to conserve financial resources.
- Responsible for documenting and reporting all necessary information according to established policies and procedures.
- Creates a patient friendly environment by following quality improvement standards and maintaining professionalism.
- Is responsible to actively participate in safety management, crisis intervention and prevention. This may include monitoring, assessment, verbal de-escalation, and emergency psychiatric and medical care.
- Works in various clinical settings with diverse patient populations.
- Serves on committees as needed.
- Promotes positive communication amongst all members of the treatment team.
- Collaborates in follow up with disciplinary action.
- May conduct individualized assessments with patients, within Recreational Therapy scope of practice, per doctor’s order.
- Collaborate with AT Clinical Services Manager and Recreational Therapy Leads regarding internships and other departmental activities.
- Responsible to role model the mission and values of the organization, presenting a professional image that is projected in appearance, attitudes and behaviors, time management and communication skills. Provides spiritual, emotional, social, mental and physical support to patients.
- Responsible to uphold the healing ministry of Christ through relationships that honor integrity, stewardship, empowerment, professional excellence, and the promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Must maintain annual training and demonstrate competency in the required programmatic training.
- Continuous exposure to potentially adverse physical environment.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
What Does the Role Require?
- Enrolled in an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program for Therapeutic Recreation, or similar degree, which leads to ability to sit for the NCTRC Certification Exam.
- Exposure of relevant psychiatric/medical/clinical experience is helpful to plan and implement therapeutic, interactive education sessions and interventions, though not required.
- Knowledge of current therapy principles in area of expertise associated with Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), psychoeducational interventions, expressive arts, and recreation therapies to plan, organize and implement a program of ancillary services.
- On the job training or formal education in the application of therapy/counseling principles and practices for patients with various psychiatric/medical conditions.
Notice:
Pine Rest provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.
All new employees are subject to a criminal background check and education verification which may include sending a copy of your high school diploma, GED, or college transcripts.
NOTICE: Successful completion of a drug screen prior to employment is also part of our background process.
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Get Access To All JobsCertified Recreational Therapist CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Certified Recreational Therapist role qualify for CPT authorization?
Yes, if your degree program in therapeutic recreation, health sciences, or a related field explicitly requires or offers credit for supervised clinical fieldwork. Your DSO will verify that the job duties, such as patient assessment, treatment planning, and therapeutic intervention delivery, directly integrate with your enrolled coursework. Generic activity aide or recreation assistant positions typically don't qualify because the clinical connection isn't direct enough.
Can I do CPT as a recreational therapist before I earn my CTRS credential?
Yes. CPT authorizes you to work as an intern or pre-certification recreational therapist under supervision. Many facilities hire CPT students specifically to fulfill the 480 supervised hours NCTRC requires before you can sit for the CTRS exam. Confirm with your DSO that the placement agreement documents the supervised clinical structure, since NCTRC will ask for that verification later.
What types of employers hire F-1 CPT students for recreational therapy roles?
Psychiatric hospitals, VA medical centers, skilled nursing facilities, and pediatric rehabilitation centers are the most common placements because they have structured clinical supervision programs already in place. Community mental health agencies and school-based therapeutic recreation programs also hire CPT students, though their familiarity with work authorization documentation varies more than hospital systems. Migrate Mate can help you identify which employers in your area have experience with work-authorized candidates.
Is part-time CPT possible for recreational therapist positions, or do I need full-time hours?
Part-time CPT, defined as fewer than 20 hours per week, is available and doesn't affect your OPT eligibility the way full-time CPT does. However, most clinical placements in recreational therapy require at least 20 hours weekly to accumulate NCTRC-qualifying supervised hours on a practical timeline. Work with your DSO to structure the authorization around both your academic schedule and the minimum hours your credential pathway requires.
How should I explain CPT work authorization to a healthcare employer who hasn't hired F-1 students before?
Lead with your DSO authorization letter and your updated I-20, which together confirm that USCIS permits you to work for that specific employer in that specific role. Clarify that CPT doesn't require the employer to file any petition or pay any government fee, unlike H-1B visa sponsorship. Providing a one-page summary from your international student office explaining F-1 CPT, including the employer's I-9 obligations, resolves most compliance concerns before they become hiring barriers.