H-1B Visa Recreation Therapist Jobs
Recreation Therapist jobs with H-1B visa sponsorship require employers to file a Labor Condition Application certifying prevailing wage compliance before your petition reaches USCIS. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or a closely related clinical field, making it a viable H-1B visa pathway.
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Get Access To All JobsRecreational Therapist (RECT) - Correctional Facility
Location: Ione, CA
Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Pay Rate: $70/hr (Negotiable)
Job Overview
We are seeking a qualified and dedicated Recreational Therapist (RECT) to provide therapeutic recreation services in a correctional facility setting. The ideal candidate will help individuals improve social functioning, develop healthy leisure skills, and achieve their rehabilitation and treatment goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement therapeutic recreation programs and activities.
- Assess and evaluate patients' recreational therapy needs.
- Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT) meetings.
- Coordinate care with clinicians, counselors, and custody staff.
- Promote positive social interactions and appropriate leisure activities.
- Help patients develop coping, communication, and life skills.
- Monitor patient progress and document treatment outcomes.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and reports.
- Support rehabilitation and successful reintegration goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum 12 months of recent experience within the last three years performing similar duties.
- Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.
- Completion of supervised fieldwork approved by NCTRC or CBRPC.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
Pay: Up to $70.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
License/Certification:
- CTRS (Required)
Work Location: In person
Recreational Therapist (RECT) - Correctional Facility
Location: Ione, CA
Schedule: Tuesday–Friday, 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Pay Rate: $70/hr (Negotiable)
Job Overview
We are seeking a qualified and dedicated Recreational Therapist (RECT) to provide therapeutic recreation services in a correctional facility setting. The ideal candidate will help individuals improve social functioning, develop healthy leisure skills, and achieve their rehabilitation and treatment goals.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement therapeutic recreation programs and activities.
- Assess and evaluate patients' recreational therapy needs.
- Participate in Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDTT) meetings.
- Coordinate care with clinicians, counselors, and custody staff.
- Promote positive social interactions and appropriate leisure activities.
- Help patients develop coping, communication, and life skills.
- Monitor patient progress and document treatment outcomes.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and reports.
- Support rehabilitation and successful reintegration goals.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum 12 months of recent experience within the last three years performing similar duties.
- Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.
- Completion of supervised fieldwork approved by NCTRC or CBRPC.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
Pay: Up to $70.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
License/Certification:
- CTRS (Required)
Work Location: In person
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Recreation Therapist
Verify your CTRS credential before applying
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential from NCTRC strengthens the specialty occupation argument in your I-129 petition. Employers filing for recreation therapists lean on it to demonstrate degree-level professional standards to USCIS adjudicators.
Search LCA filings by SOC code
Recreation Therapists fall under SOC 29-1125. Use the OFLC Wage Search to identify employers who have filed certified LCAs under that code. This surfaces hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and VA facilities actively sponsoring the role.
Target inpatient rehabilitation and VA facilities
Inpatient rehab units, long-term acute care hospitals, and VA medical centers hire recreation therapists at sufficient volume to maintain in-house immigration counsel, which makes the H-1B filing process more predictable for you.
Find H-1B-sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate
Filter recreation therapist openings by employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history on Migrate Mate. This cuts time spent on employers who have never sponsored the role and surfaces facilities with a documented track record.
Confirm each worksite gets its own LCA
If your role requires rotating between facilities or campuses, each worksite needs a separately certified LCA before you work there. Raise this with the employer's HR team early so filings are in place before your start date at each location.
Use O*NET to anchor your specialty occupation evidence
The O*NET profile for recreation therapists lists a typical entry-level requirement of a bachelor's degree. Referencing this in your petition documentation helps your employer's attorney establish the specialty occupation standard for USCIS review.
H-1B Visa Recreation Therapist: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a recreation therapist role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes. Recreation therapy requires a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, kinesiology, or a closely related field, and the CTRS credential reinforces the professional standard. USCIS evaluates specialty occupation on a per-petition basis, so your employer's attorney should document the degree requirement in the job description and support it with the O*NET profile and NCTRC credentialing standards.
Which types of employers sponsor H-1B visas for recreation therapists?
VA medical centers, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities affiliated with large health systems, and pediatric hospitals are the most consistent sponsors. These employers file LCAs under SOC 29-1125 regularly and typically have immigration counsel on retainer. You can browse employers with verified H-1B filing history for this role directly on Migrate Mate.
How does the H-1B LCA process work for recreation therapist positions?
Your employer files a Labor Condition Application with DOL before submitting the I-129 petition to USCIS. The LCA certifies that you'll be paid at least the prevailing wage for SOC 29-1125 in your specific work location. Each facility where you work requires its own certified LCA, so employers covering multiple campuses need to plan filings accordingly.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new recreation therapist employer mid-status?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can begin working for a new employer once they file an I-129 transfer petition, provided your current status is valid and you've maintained lawful status. The new employer must file a fresh LCA for your worksite before submitting the transfer petition to USCIS.
How long does H-1B status last for a recreation therapist?
Initial H-1B approval is for up to three years, with one extension available for a total maximum of six years. Beyond six years, continued H-1B status typically requires an approved immigrant visa petition or a pending adjustment of status application to reset the clock under AC21 provisions.