Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs are open across hospitals, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and community mental health organizations, from entry-level to senior and supervisory roles, with specializations in physical rehabilitation, behavioral health, and geriatric care. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Adult Day Care Center at Waters Place | Bronx, NY Full-Time Temporary
Make a Meaningful Difference Every Day
The Adult Day Care Center at Waters Place is seeking an energetic, compassionate, and creative Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) to join our dedicated interdisciplinary team. This role offers a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of older adults through engaging therapeutic recreation programs that promote wellness, independence, social connection, and quality of life.
If you are passionate about serving older adults and have a talent for creating meaningful experiences through music, dance, drama, arts and crafts, or other therapeutic activities, we invite you to apply.
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist plans, coordinates, and facilitates goal-oriented therapeutic recreation activities while maintaining required documentation and individualized care plans. The Specialist supports participants in a manner consistent with our mission, vision, and values, fostering dignity, engagement, and person-centered care.
Key Responsibilities
Program Planning & Facilitation
- Develop and implement therapeutic recreation programs for frail older adults, including individuals with memory impairment and visual challenges.
- Design engaging activities that reflect participants' interests, abilities, and individualized goals.
- Lead group and individual recreation programs, encouraging active participation and social engagement.
- Facilitate inclusive activities for participants with special needs.
- Assist with large-group recreational and special events.
- Prepare and maintain monthly recreation calendars.
Documentation & Care Planning
- Develop and update comprehensive care plans for assigned participants.
- Complete therapeutic recreation assessments, progress notes, and required documentation every 180 days.
- Participate in interdisciplinary care meetings and provide updates regarding participant status, behavior, and wellbeing.
- Maintain attendance records, participation statistics, and program documentation.
Program Operations
- Prepare activity materials, supplies, and equipment.
- Request recreation program supplies as needed.
- Maintain a safe, organized, and welcoming recreation environment.
- Clean and store equipment and materials following activities.
- Support and supervise volunteers assigned to recreational programming.
Communication & Professional Development
- Collaborate with participants, families, and interdisciplinary staff regarding recreation services.
- Attend departmental meetings, workshops, seminars, and in-service education programs.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification
- Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Therapy, or a related field with a minimum of two (2) years of experience working with older adults
Preferred
- Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation Therapy
- Specialty training or demonstrated expertise in:
- Music Therapy
- Dance and Movement
- Drama/Theater
- Arts and Crafts
- Creative Expression Programs
- Experience working with older adults with dementia, memory impairment, or sensory limitations
Skills & Competencies
- Strong understanding of age-appropriate therapeutic recreation programming for older adults
- Ability to motivate participation and adapt activities to varying functional abilities
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Experience developing individualized treatment goals and care plans
- Commitment to person-centered care and enhancing quality of life
Physical Requirements
This position requires active engagement in recreational programming, including:
- Leading movement-based activities such as exercise, dance, and bowling
- Transporting supplies and activity materials
- Lifting, pushing, and repositioning tables, chairs, and equipment
- Pushing wheelchairs and assisting participants with mobility needs and transfers
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Adult Day Care Center at Waters Place | Bronx, NY Full-Time Temporary
Make a Meaningful Difference Every Day
The Adult Day Care Center at Waters Place is seeking an energetic, compassionate, and creative Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) to join our dedicated interdisciplinary team. This role offers a unique opportunity to enrich the lives of older adults through engaging therapeutic recreation programs that promote wellness, independence, social connection, and quality of life.
If you are passionate about serving older adults and have a talent for creating meaningful experiences through music, dance, drama, arts and crafts, or other therapeutic activities, we invite you to apply.
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Therapeutic Recreation Specialist plans, coordinates, and facilitates goal-oriented therapeutic recreation activities while maintaining required documentation and individualized care plans. The Specialist supports participants in a manner consistent with our mission, vision, and values, fostering dignity, engagement, and person-centered care.
Key Responsibilities
Program Planning & Facilitation
- Develop and implement therapeutic recreation programs for frail older adults, including individuals with memory impairment and visual challenges.
- Design engaging activities that reflect participants' interests, abilities, and individualized goals.
- Lead group and individual recreation programs, encouraging active participation and social engagement.
- Facilitate inclusive activities for participants with special needs.
- Assist with large-group recreational and special events.
- Prepare and maintain monthly recreation calendars.
Documentation & Care Planning
- Develop and update comprehensive care plans for assigned participants.
- Complete therapeutic recreation assessments, progress notes, and required documentation every 180 days.
- Participate in interdisciplinary care meetings and provide updates regarding participant status, behavior, and wellbeing.
- Maintain attendance records, participation statistics, and program documentation.
Program Operations
- Prepare activity materials, supplies, and equipment.
- Request recreation program supplies as needed.
- Maintain a safe, organized, and welcoming recreation environment.
- Clean and store equipment and materials following activities.
- Support and supervise volunteers assigned to recreational programming.
Communication & Professional Development
- Collaborate with participants, families, and interdisciplinary staff regarding recreation services.
- Attend departmental meetings, workshops, seminars, and in-service education programs.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) certification
- Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Therapy, or a related field with a minimum of two (2) years of experience working with older adults
Preferred
- Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation Therapy
- Specialty training or demonstrated expertise in:
- Music Therapy
- Dance and Movement
- Drama/Theater
- Arts and Crafts
- Creative Expression Programs
- Experience working with older adults with dementia, memory impairment, or sensory limitations
Skills & Competencies
- Strong understanding of age-appropriate therapeutic recreation programming for older adults
- Ability to motivate participation and adapt activities to varying functional abilities
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills
- Experience developing individualized treatment goals and care plans
- Commitment to person-centered care and enhancing quality of life
Physical Requirements
This position requires active engagement in recreational programming, including:
- Leading movement-based activities such as exercise, dance, and bowling
- Transporting supplies and activity materials
- Lifting, pushing, and repositioning tables, chairs, and equipment
- Pushing wheelchairs and assisting participants with mobility needs and transfers
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsTherapeutic Recreation Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in therapeutic recreation specialist jobs.
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential from NCTRC
- Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or a closely related field
- Experience conducting assessments and writing individualized treatment plans
- Knowledge of electronic health record documentation systems
- Ability to work with interdisciplinary care teams in clinical settings
- CPR and first aid certification maintained as current
Tips for Your Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to the setting
Highlight whether your experience is in acute care, skilled nursing, or community-based programs. Employers in each setting prioritize different skills, so a resume built for a rehab hospital reads differently than one aimed at a psychiatric facility.
List your CTRS credential prominently
Your Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential should appear near your name at the top of your resume and in your professional title. Many applicant tracking systems screen for it before a human reviewer ever sees your application.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists therapeutic recreation specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare population-specific program examples
Interviewers frequently ask you to describe a program you designed for a specific population. Have two or three concrete examples ready that show assessment, goal-setting, and measurable outcomes, matching the patient demographics of the employer you're interviewing with.
Address documentation tools in your materials
Many job postings specify experience with electronic health records or point-of-care documentation systems. Name the specific platforms you've used in your resume's skills section so hiring managers can immediately confirm you won't need extensive retraining.
Follow up after an interview with a clinical angle
A thank-you note that references a specific patient population or program model discussed in the interview signals clinical focus rather than generic courtesy. Send it within 24 hours and connect it directly to a challenge the department mentioned.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most therapeutic recreation specialists?
The companies hiring the most therapeutic recreation specialists right now include Henry Ford Health, Town of Brookline, and Mozaic Senior Life, with the largest share of openings in New York, Michigan, and Connecticut, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Health systems, long-term care networks, and VA medical centers consistently account for a large portion of active openings.
How many therapeutic recreation specialist jobs are remote?
About 0% of therapeutic recreation specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most clinical roles. Telehealth program coordination, documentation support, and administrative or supervisory positions within larger health systems are the sub-areas most likely to offer remote flexibility.
How do you become a therapeutic recreation specialist?
You earn a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or a related field, complete a supervised internship of at least 560 hours in a clinical or community setting, then pass the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam to earn the CTRS credential. Some states have additional licensure requirements, so confirm what your state requires before applying to clinical positions.
Can you get hired as a therapeutic recreation specialist with little experience?
Yes, entry-level therapeutic recreation specialist roles exist, and employers hiring at this level typically prioritize your CTRS credential, your internship population, and your ability to write treatment plans over years of paid experience. Targeting long-term care facilities, community mental health agencies, and nonprofit recreation programs gives you the strongest footing when your clinical hours are limited.
What does the therapeutic recreation specialist interview process look like?
Most hiring processes involve an initial phone or video screen with HR, followed by a panel interview with department leadership and interdisciplinary team members. You'll likely be asked to walk through a program you designed, describe your assessment approach for a specific population, and explain how you document progress toward treatment goals. Some employers add a facility tour or a shadowing component before extending an offer.
Where can I find and apply to therapeutic recreation specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to therapeutic recreation specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your setting, population experience, and location preferences, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
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