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.
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Cost Center
168 Activity Therapy
Scheduled Weekly Hours
32
Work Shift
Shift & Status
What Will you Do?
As a Recreational Therapist at Pine Rest, you’ll be a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, utilizes clinical skills associated with current training in area of expertise, the expressive arts therapies, recreation or occupational therapies and psycho-educational interventions, to plan, organize and implement a program of ancillary services. Assesses patients' capabilities, needs, interests and goals and designs an individualized treatment program consistent with interdisciplinary team's goals. The Recreational Therapist must demonstrate excellent customer service and have enthusiasm about the program and the Pine Rest organization.
Our Recreational Therapist are driven to make an impact in the lives of those we serve and are motivated by the healing they witness first-hand each day. They are dedicated to excellent customer service, enthusiastic about the care we offer, and foster a sense of belonging and empowerment in a diverse workplace.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assesses patient care needs, develops/implements a treatment plan in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team, continually reassesses treatment plan according to patient care needs.
- Plans and participates in Milieu Programming: teaching, skill building, and therapy groups.
- Establishes therapeutic relationship with assigned patients.
- Provides input to the interdisciplinary treatment plan, functioning as a team member.
- Participates in Rounds/Treatment planning meetings as necessary.
- Responsible to monitor for and report to the Manager and Unit Leaders any potential risk to patient safety that could lead to an adverse outcome.
- Utilizes processes to conserve financial resources.
- Responsible to document and report all necessary information according to established policies and procedures.
- Creates a customer/client friendly environment by following quality improvement standards and maintaining professionalism.
- Is responsible to actively participate in safety management, crisis intervention and prevention. This also may include monitoring, assessment, de-escalation, implementation of restrictive measures, and emergency psychiatric and medical care.
- Works in various clinical settings with diverse patient populations.
- Will assist in monitoring documentation of employees in department for accuracy and completeness, conducting chart reviews as needed.
- Acts as lead in establishing performance improvement activities and serving on committees as needed. Also assists in department performance appraisals by collecting and/or completing concurrent input forms and when appropriate writing the appraisals.
- Takes an active role in the training needs of staff in orientation, competency assessment and in identifying ongoing training needs of staff. Will promote positive communication between staff members.
- Collaborates in follow up with disciplinary action.
- May conduct functional assessments for patients/clients per doctor’s order.
- Collaborates with AT Clinical Manager regarding internships and other departmental activities.
What Does the Role Require?
Education/Experience:
- Bachelors in Recreational Therapy Required. Master’s Degree preferred.
- Certification as CTRS.
- A minimum of three months of relevant psychiatric/medical/clinical experience necessary in order to gain entry-level abilities in planning and implementing therapeutic activities.
- Knowledge of current therapy principles in area of expertise, therapeutic expressive arts activities, recreation therapies, psycho-educational interventions and group counseling techniques at a level normally acquired through completion of degree in area of expertise with successful completion of clinical training at a university affiliated Hospital.
- On the job training or formal education in the application of therapy/counseling principles and practices for patients with various psychiatric/medical conditions.
Benefits:
- Medical, dental, vision & life insurance plans
- 403(b) retirement match contribution by Pine Rest
- Generous PTO for full and part time employees
- Tuition assistance & loan forgiveness
- Employee Assistance Program offering many free and discounted services for therapy, legal, accounting, gym membership, etc.
- Partnership with Davenport University provides generous discount on tuition for employees and family members.
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.
The equivalent base pay range for this position is $22.73 - $34.09. Your interview and offer letter will specify whether the role is hourly or salaried. Please note that this range does not include potential shift differentials, incentives, or bonuses, which may be part of the total compensation package. Final base pay will be determined based on location, experience, education, certifications, and FTE status.
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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.