H-1B Visa Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
Certified Recreational Therapist roles qualify as H-1B specialty occupations when the position requires a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or a closely related field. Hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities are among the most active sponsors. USCIS scrutinizes degree-to-role alignment closely for allied health positions, so documenting that your employer requires the specific credential matters.
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Get Access To All JobsWHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
Job Summary
The Certified Recreational Therapist (CTRS) plans, implements, and evaluates therapeutic recreation programs designed to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate an individual’s level of functioning and independence.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Graduate from accredited Therapeutic Recreation Therapy program
Licenses and Certifications
- (CTRS) CER THERAPEUTC RECREATION SPEC - Certified as a CTRS by the NCTRC (National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification) Upon Hire
- (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC)
Preferred
Experience
1 year experience and BLS
JOB DUTIES
- Conducts job duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Develops rapport with patients and their families using approach congruent with that of health care team for purpose of obtaining maximum participation in activities.
- Develops activities plan reflecting cultural and religious interests of resident population and appeal to both men and women of all age groups. Posts activity plan for each resident in designated place within patient's room. Provides in room activities for patients confined to or choosing to remain in their room. Plans activities that reflects interests and ability levels of patient.
- Determines and documents degree to which interventions achieve or enhance patient outcome.
- Accepts additional responsibility. Assists willingly in coverage of other patients. Facilitates or offers assistance in transport of patients to group activities.
- Advises manager of equipment needs so that appropriate items may be ordered in timely manner.
- Develops discharge recommendations reflecting patients' interests and community resources available.
- Demonstrates knowledge of contra-indications and/or safety issues with various patient types and applies them to treatment.
- Instructs volunteers or staff in activities program plan. Solicits their help in working with patients on in-room activities.
- Organizes patient treatment time efficiently. Organizes unscheduled time efficiently. Assists in on-job training, education, and supervision of Physical Therapy technicians, students and/or nursing.
- Uses sound judgment in stressful and emergency situations involving patient, family, or staff. Represents hospital in professional manner at community function.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
Job Summary
The Certified Recreational Therapist (CTRS) plans, implements, and evaluates therapeutic recreation programs designed to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate an individual’s level of functioning and independence.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Graduate from accredited Therapeutic Recreation Therapy program
Licenses and Certifications
- (CTRS) CER THERAPEUTC RECREATION SPEC - Certified as a CTRS by the NCTRC (National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification) Upon Hire
- (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC)
Preferred
Experience
1 year experience and BLS
JOB DUTIES
- Conducts job duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Develops rapport with patients and their families using approach congruent with that of health care team for purpose of obtaining maximum participation in activities.
- Develops activities plan reflecting cultural and religious interests of resident population and appeal to both men and women of all age groups. Posts activity plan for each resident in designated place within patient's room. Provides in room activities for patients confined to or choosing to remain in their room. Plans activities that reflects interests and ability levels of patient.
- Determines and documents degree to which interventions achieve or enhance patient outcome.
- Accepts additional responsibility. Assists willingly in coverage of other patients. Facilitates or offers assistance in transport of patients to group activities.
- Advises manager of equipment needs so that appropriate items may be ordered in timely manner.
- Develops discharge recommendations reflecting patients' interests and community resources available.
- Demonstrates knowledge of contra-indications and/or safety issues with various patient types and applies them to treatment.
- Instructs volunteers or staff in activities program plan. Solicits their help in working with patients on in-room activities.
- Organizes patient treatment time efficiently. Organizes unscheduled time efficiently. Assists in on-job training, education, and supervision of Physical Therapy technicians, students and/or nursing.
- Uses sound judgment in stressful and emergency situations involving patient, family, or staff. Represents hospital in professional manner at community function.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
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Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Certified Recreational Therapist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Certified Recreational Therapist
Verify your CTRS credential before filing
USCIS requires proof that your role demands a specialized degree, not just licensure. Have your CTRS certification from NCTRC and your transcripts ready before your employer files the I-129, since RFEs in allied health often target credential documentation.
Target healthcare systems over smaller clinics
Hospital networks and multi-site rehabilitation groups have established HR and legal infrastructure for H-1B filings. Smaller outpatient clinics often lack the in-house counsel needed to navigate DOL Labor Condition Application requirements for the first time.
Search H-1B sponsors on Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified LCA filing history for therapeutic recreation and allied health roles. This shows you which facilities have actually sponsored H-1B workers in your occupation, not just those that list sponsorship as possible.
Benchmark your wage using OFLC Wage Search
Your employer's LCA must certify wages at or above the DOL prevailing wage for Recreational Therapists in your work location. Pull the wage level from OFLC Wage Search before negotiating your offer so you can confirm the salary meets LCA requirements.
Confirm your job duties match the O*NET definition
USCIS uses the O*NET occupation profile for Recreational Therapists to evaluate whether your role qualifies as a specialty occupation. If your duties skew toward activity aide work rather than assessment and treatment planning, the petition is at higher risk of an RFE.
Plan around the cap and fiscal year timeline
H-1B cap-subject filings open in March for an October 1 start date. If you're negotiating a start date with an employer, build at least six months of lead time into your offer, and ask whether they're willing to pay for premium processing to reduce uncertainty.
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Find Certified Recreational Therapist JobsCertified Recreational Therapist H-1B Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Certified Recreational Therapist role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, when the employer requires a bachelor's degree or higher in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, or a closely related field as a minimum for the position. USCIS evaluates whether the degree requirement is standard across the industry for that role. Positions at hospitals and rehabilitation centers that mandate the CTRS credential typically satisfy the specialty occupation standard more cleanly than general activity-coordinator roles.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Recreational Therapists?
Hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, Veterans Affairs medical centers, and skilled nursing organizations are the most common sponsors for Recreational Therapist H-1B petitions. VA medical centers are government employers and cap-exempt, which means they can file year-round without going through the lottery. Use Migrate Mate to identify facilities with documented LCA filing history for this occupation.
Is the CTRS certification from NCTRC required for H-1B sponsorship?
CTRS certification isn't a USCIS requirement on its own, but many sponsoring employers list it as a condition of employment, and having it strengthens the specialty occupation argument by demonstrating the role requires specialized knowledge. Some state licensure requirements for recreational therapists also intersect with H-1B eligibility, so confirm your employer's specific credential requirements before the petition is filed.
Can a Recreational Therapist working for a VA medical center avoid the H-1B lottery?
Yes. VA medical centers are federal government employers and qualify as cap-exempt institutions under the H-1B program. This means USCIS accepts petitions for VA positions year-round without the April lottery registration requirement. The filing process, forms, and prevailing wage obligations remain the same, but you don't face the selection uncertainty that cap-subject petitions do.
What prevailing wage level should a Certified Recreational Therapist expect for LCA purposes?
The DOL assigns prevailing wage levels based on the occupation's SOC code, your geographic work location, and the complexity of job duties. Recreational Therapists typically fall at Level I or Level II depending on experience and supervisory responsibilities. Your employer is required to pay at or above the applicable level. You can look up the current rate for your location using the OFLC Wage Search tool before accepting an offer.
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