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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Job Description
This internship position will provide an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with people with a variety of disabilities in a community Therapeutic Recreation setting. Guided by a certified and licensed Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, interns will be exposed to the broad spectrum of services provided by Specialized Recreation and Inclusion Services, all while meeting the internship requirements set by NCTRC and university standards. This position will work no more than 40 hours per week. Hours are typically scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:30am-5:15pm with various nights and weekend hours as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work with internship supervisor and other SRIS full-time staff to provide services for individuals with disabilities. These services include but are not limited to planning and implementing social programs and outings, after school and track out, and Adult Day programs; providing medical and/or inclusion support; assisting with Wake County Special Olympics; developing summer camp programs; etc.
- Work cooperatively with internship supervisor, city staff, volunteers, and community agencies.
- Attend departmental and community trainings/meetings/events.
- Create and implement interventions that meet the needs of clients.
- Set treatment goals for individuals and groups and evaluate progress.
- Accept responsibilities for duties and assignments, independently managing projects and meeting deadlines, outlined by both the supervisor and university, requesting help as needed.
- Work efficiently and manage time wisely.
- Complete a special project based on the needs of the Specialized Recreation Department and the community.
- Provide quality customer service and contribute to a positive team environment.
- Occasional weekend and evening work expected.
- Complete additional duties as assigned by supervisor.
Typical Qualifications
- Possess the appropriate education and fieldwork meeting university requirements to be eligible to complete Therapeutic Recreation internship.
- Experience working with youth and/or adults with disabilities.
- Experience administering a variety of treatment modalities using the APIED process.
- Ability to take initiative and successfully work both independently and in team settings.
- Strong leadership and communications skills.
- Proficient at Microsoft Office and the use of other office software and equipment.
Additional Information
ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, talking, hearing and seeing.
Medium Work:
Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Visual Acuity:
The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
Working Conditions:
The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. No effective protection from weather, activities occur outside. The worker is subject to noise.
Note:
This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions, and responsibilities, as well as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation, may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Job Description
This internship position will provide an opportunity to gain hands-on experience working with people with a variety of disabilities in a community Therapeutic Recreation setting. Guided by a certified and licensed Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, interns will be exposed to the broad spectrum of services provided by Specialized Recreation and Inclusion Services, all while meeting the internship requirements set by NCTRC and university standards. This position will work no more than 40 hours per week. Hours are typically scheduled Monday through Friday between 8:30am-5:15pm with various nights and weekend hours as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work with internship supervisor and other SRIS full-time staff to provide services for individuals with disabilities. These services include but are not limited to planning and implementing social programs and outings, after school and track out, and Adult Day programs; providing medical and/or inclusion support; assisting with Wake County Special Olympics; developing summer camp programs; etc.
- Work cooperatively with internship supervisor, city staff, volunteers, and community agencies.
- Attend departmental and community trainings/meetings/events.
- Create and implement interventions that meet the needs of clients.
- Set treatment goals for individuals and groups and evaluate progress.
- Accept responsibilities for duties and assignments, independently managing projects and meeting deadlines, outlined by both the supervisor and university, requesting help as needed.
- Work efficiently and manage time wisely.
- Complete a special project based on the needs of the Specialized Recreation Department and the community.
- Provide quality customer service and contribute to a positive team environment.
- Occasional weekend and evening work expected.
- Complete additional duties as assigned by supervisor.
Typical Qualifications
- Possess the appropriate education and fieldwork meeting university requirements to be eligible to complete Therapeutic Recreation internship.
- Experience working with youth and/or adults with disabilities.
- Experience administering a variety of treatment modalities using the APIED process.
- Ability to take initiative and successfully work both independently and in team settings.
- Strong leadership and communications skills.
- Proficient at Microsoft Office and the use of other office software and equipment.
Additional Information
ADA and Other Requirements:
Positions in this class typically require stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, talking, hearing and seeing.
Medium Work:
Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
Visual Acuity:
The worker is required to have visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.
Working Conditions:
The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. No effective protection from weather, activities occur outside. The worker is subject to noise.
Note:
This job classification description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions, and responsibilities, as well as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) designation, may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
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Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Education
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 OCEANS HEALTHCARE, Aware, and Havenwyck Hospital, with the largest share of openings in New York, Connecticut, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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 August 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.
See All 40 Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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