OPT Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
Certified Recreational Therapist jobs on OPT require CTRS credentials from NCTRC, which international students can obtain before or during their OPT period. Most roles are in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities. Your 12-month OPT window is enough to build the clinical hours many employers want before STEM extension or H-1B visa sponsorship.
Find OPT Certified Recreational Therapist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 30+ Certified Recreational Therapist jobs
See all 30+ Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
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 JobsINTRODUCTION
Find your path in health care. We want to change the lives of those in our care – and the people who choose to take on this challenge. If you’re ready to change lives, we want to hear from you.
Banner Health is proud to be recognized on Forbes list of America’s Dream Employers 2027 for the third consecutive year. This recognition highlights our commitment to supporting team members through comprehensive benefits, opportunities for both personal and professional growth, inclusive and empowering work environments, and resources that promote a healthy work-life balance. Banner Health ranked 56 out of the 500 companies made the list.
For more than 30 years, Banner Behavioral Health Hospital (in Scottsdale, AZ) has provided a nationally recognized, behavioral health care program for children, teens and adults faced with psychiatric, behavioral health, or chemical dependency challenges. We are dedicated to providing safe, confidential and compassionate treatment with customized treatment plans to meet each patient's needs – in the least restrictive therapeutic environment. We also can help patients with co-existing psychiatric and substance abuse problems.
As a Recreational Therapist for Banner Behavioral Health Hospital you will be responsible for providing therapeutic groups for patients. Our campus includes a half-court indoor gymnasium, an outdoor sport court, and an outdoor pool. Rec therapy groups will include a range of patient populations from adolescents to adults on 7 separate treatment units. You will collaborate with the nurses, specialists and physicians to provide the best patient care possible and to drive Banner's mission and team goals. Excellent treatment and documentation are vital to this role and training will be provided. You will join a team of nationally certified recreational therapists at this location. Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or Human Service is needed, but a license is not needed in Arizona. This position days and hours are Sunday-Wednesday 730am-6pm (4-10’s per week).
Your pay and benefits (Total Rewards) are important components of your Journey at Banner Health. Banner Health offers a variety of benefit plans to help you and your family. We provide health and financial security options so you can focus on being the best at what you do and enjoying your life.
For more than four decades, Banner Behavioral Health has provided 24/7 crisis intervention and therapeutic services in a medically safe, recovery-focused environment. Banner Behavioral Health has 156 licensed inpatient beds and is located in Scottsdale, AZ. Our focus is on adults and adolescents dealing with mental health and/or chemical dependency issues who voluntarily seek help. Our highly skilled and compassionate staff are dedicated to providing a therapeutic healing environment and excellent health care experience.
Position Summary
This position provides screening, evaluation and rehabilitation services for patients with cognitive, communication, social, physical and behavioral deficits related to leisure and recreational pursuits. This position plans and carries out specialized treatment programs, documents treatment and maintains data regarding patient care. This position demonstrates the clinical competence and knowledge necessary to provide treatment appropriate to the age of the patients served.
CORE FUNCTIONS
-
Evaluates patients functional leisure abilities and limitations to determine appropriate intervention. Develops a plan of care and treatment goals, as ordered by physician or other referral source.
-
Implements individualized treatment plans for leisure activities that consider patients’ physical, social, spiritual, cultural, educational, and age-specific needs. Ensures that treatment plans are supported by standard practices and/or current literature. Re-evaluates treatment plans, as needed, to ensure maximum patient benefit.
-
Educates patients, family, and other care providers to promote patient participation and attainment of therapeutic program goals. Provides individualized home programs with clear instructions.
-
Documents patient participation and advancement according to professional and regulatory standards.
-
Participates in program development of recreational therapy services.
-
May assist with staff orientation and training; coordination of work flow; and evaluation of recreational therapy program.
-
Follows plan of care to accomplish functions with supervision and collaboration of treatment team. Confers with supervisor on any unusual situations. Internal customers: All levels of nursing management and staff, medical staff, and all other members of the interdisciplinary health care team. External Customers: Physician offices, patient families, third party payers, and medical supply companies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or Human Services from an accredited university training program.
Licensure as required by state of practice.
Requires the ability to work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers. Must have strong interpersonal communications and human relation skills.
Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, BTMC Behavioral, and BUMG, BUMCT, or BUMCS in a Behavioral Health clinical setting that serves children must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment. An Arizona Criminal History Affidavit must be signed upon hire. Employees working in the Banner McKee Senior Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit must possess a Colorado Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation certification.
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.
EEO Statement:
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.
Privacy Policy:
Privacy Policy
INTRODUCTION
Find your path in health care. We want to change the lives of those in our care – and the people who choose to take on this challenge. If you’re ready to change lives, we want to hear from you.
Banner Health is proud to be recognized on Forbes list of America’s Dream Employers 2027 for the third consecutive year. This recognition highlights our commitment to supporting team members through comprehensive benefits, opportunities for both personal and professional growth, inclusive and empowering work environments, and resources that promote a healthy work-life balance. Banner Health ranked 56 out of the 500 companies made the list.
For more than 30 years, Banner Behavioral Health Hospital (in Scottsdale, AZ) has provided a nationally recognized, behavioral health care program for children, teens and adults faced with psychiatric, behavioral health, or chemical dependency challenges. We are dedicated to providing safe, confidential and compassionate treatment with customized treatment plans to meet each patient's needs – in the least restrictive therapeutic environment. We also can help patients with co-existing psychiatric and substance abuse problems.
As a Recreational Therapist for Banner Behavioral Health Hospital you will be responsible for providing therapeutic groups for patients. Our campus includes a half-court indoor gymnasium, an outdoor sport court, and an outdoor pool. Rec therapy groups will include a range of patient populations from adolescents to adults on 7 separate treatment units. You will collaborate with the nurses, specialists and physicians to provide the best patient care possible and to drive Banner's mission and team goals. Excellent treatment and documentation are vital to this role and training will be provided. You will join a team of nationally certified recreational therapists at this location. Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or Human Service is needed, but a license is not needed in Arizona. This position days and hours are Sunday-Wednesday 730am-6pm (4-10’s per week).
Your pay and benefits (Total Rewards) are important components of your Journey at Banner Health. Banner Health offers a variety of benefit plans to help you and your family. We provide health and financial security options so you can focus on being the best at what you do and enjoying your life.
For more than four decades, Banner Behavioral Health has provided 24/7 crisis intervention and therapeutic services in a medically safe, recovery-focused environment. Banner Behavioral Health has 156 licensed inpatient beds and is located in Scottsdale, AZ. Our focus is on adults and adolescents dealing with mental health and/or chemical dependency issues who voluntarily seek help. Our highly skilled and compassionate staff are dedicated to providing a therapeutic healing environment and excellent health care experience.
Position Summary
This position provides screening, evaluation and rehabilitation services for patients with cognitive, communication, social, physical and behavioral deficits related to leisure and recreational pursuits. This position plans and carries out specialized treatment programs, documents treatment and maintains data regarding patient care. This position demonstrates the clinical competence and knowledge necessary to provide treatment appropriate to the age of the patients served.
CORE FUNCTIONS
-
Evaluates patients functional leisure abilities and limitations to determine appropriate intervention. Develops a plan of care and treatment goals, as ordered by physician or other referral source.
-
Implements individualized treatment plans for leisure activities that consider patients’ physical, social, spiritual, cultural, educational, and age-specific needs. Ensures that treatment plans are supported by standard practices and/or current literature. Re-evaluates treatment plans, as needed, to ensure maximum patient benefit.
-
Educates patients, family, and other care providers to promote patient participation and attainment of therapeutic program goals. Provides individualized home programs with clear instructions.
-
Documents patient participation and advancement according to professional and regulatory standards.
-
Participates in program development of recreational therapy services.
-
May assist with staff orientation and training; coordination of work flow; and evaluation of recreational therapy program.
-
Follows plan of care to accomplish functions with supervision and collaboration of treatment team. Confers with supervisor on any unusual situations. Internal customers: All levels of nursing management and staff, medical staff, and all other members of the interdisciplinary health care team. External Customers: Physician offices, patient families, third party payers, and medical supply companies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or Human Services from an accredited university training program.
Licensure as required by state of practice.
Requires the ability to work collaboratively with physicians and other healthcare providers. Must have strong interpersonal communications and human relation skills.
Employees working at Banner Behavioral Health Hospital, BTMC Behavioral, and BUMG, BUMCT, or BUMCS in a Behavioral Health clinical setting that serves children must possess an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment. An Arizona Criminal History Affidavit must be signed upon hire. Employees working in the Banner McKee Senior Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit must possess a Colorado Fingerprint Clearance Card at the time of hire and maintain the card for the duration of their employment.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation certification.
Additional related education and/or experience preferred.
EEO Statement:
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Our organization supports a drug-free work environment.
Privacy Policy:
Privacy Policy
See all 30+ OPT Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Certified Recreational Therapist
Obtain or maintain your CTRS credential before applying
NCTRC certification is required for most Recreational Therapist roles in clinical and hospital settings. Having your CTRS before your OPT start date removes a common hiring barrier and signals to employers that you're ready to work independently from day one.
Target hospital systems and rehabilitation networks
Large healthcare employers like hospital systems, inpatient rehabilitation facilities, and VA medical centers have established HR processes for sponsoring international staff. These organizations hire Recreational Therapists regularly and are more likely to have experience navigating OPT and H-1B visa paperwork.
Apply early in your OPT window
Recreational Therapist roles often have 60 to 90-day onboarding timelines due to credentialing and background checks. Applying within the first two months of your OPT authorization gives employers enough runway to hire you without worrying about your authorization expiring mid-process.
Address your OPT timeline directly with hiring managers
Many healthcare hiring managers are unfamiliar with OPT work authorization. Briefly explaining your 12-month authorization, your eligibility for a 24-month STEM extension if applicable, and the H-1B pathway reduces uncertainty and prevents your application from being passed over unnecessarily.
Highlight clinical hours and population specializations
Employers sponsoring international staff want to minimize hiring risk. Documenting specific clinical hours, population specializations like geriatrics or behavioral health, and any evidence-based program outcomes shows you bring measurable value that justifies the investment in sponsorship.
Research state licensure requirements before relocating
Some states require a separate Recreational Therapist license beyond CTRS certification. Confirming licensure requirements in your target state before accepting an offer prevents delays in your start date and avoids complications with your OPT employer reporting obligations.
Certified Recreational Therapist OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Certified Recreational Therapist on OPT?
Yes, F-1 students with OPT authorization can work as Recreational Therapists provided the role is directly related to their field of study, typically therapeutic recreation, kinesiology, or a related health science. Your OPT employer is required to report your employment to your DSO within 10 days of your start date, and the job must align with your degree field on file with your school.
Is Recreational Therapy a STEM field eligible for the 24-month OPT extension?
Most Recreational Therapy degree programs are not on the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List, so the standard 24-month STEM extension does not apply. However, if your degree is in a qualifying field such as kinesiology or a related health science that does appear on the STEM list, you may be eligible. Check your specific degree classification with your DSO to confirm before planning your timeline.
Do Recreational Therapist employers typically sponsor H-1B visas?
Hospital systems, VA medical centers, and large rehabilitation networks have sponsored H-1B visas for Recreational Therapists, though it is less common than in fields like nursing or physical therapy. The role generally qualifies as a specialty occupation because it requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation. Targeting larger healthcare employers with dedicated HR teams improves your chances of finding a sponsor. Browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate.
What counts as a qualifying job for OPT as a Recreational Therapist?
USCIS requires that OPT employment be directly related to your major area of study. For Recreational Therapists, qualifying roles include clinical Recreational Therapist positions, activity therapy coordinator roles in healthcare settings, and rehabilitation program specialist positions. Volunteering, unpaid internships, and roles that do not use your therapeutic recreation training do not count toward OPT employment and create unemployment accumulation against your 90-day limit.
How should I explain my OPT status to a Recreational Therapist employer?
Keep it straightforward. Let the hiring manager know you have 12 months of OPT work authorization, that you can start immediately upon offer acceptance, and that your employer's only administrative step is completing Form I-9 and reporting the hire to your DSO. If they ask about long-term sponsorship, explain the H-1B pathway and that many healthcare employers have successfully sponsored Recreational Therapists. Providing a one-page summary of your authorization status can help move the conversation forward.