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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At PAM Health, we care for chronically and critically ill patients who require extended hospital care. PAM Health has over 80 hospital locations and employs over 11,000 people across the country. Our teams work together to deliver the highest level of compassionate care ensuring the best possible outcome for our patients.
What can we offer you as a full-time employee?
- Medical benefits: EPO/HDHP/HSA options, including prescription coverage, Rx ’n Go, and Teladoc
- Comprehensive dental and vision benefits
- Employee Assistance Program, including counseling, legal, and financial services
- Flexible spending (FSA) and health savings (HSA) accounts
- Life and Disability insurance benefits
- Education/In-Service Opportunities including continuing education and tuition assistance
- Supplemental benefits: Accident, critical illness, cancer, pet, and identity theft protection insurance options
- Auto, Home, Cell Phone, and Gym Membership discount offerings
- Personal Travel Discounts
- 401(k) plans and discretionary employer match
- Generous Paid Benefit Time
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. These therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts; drama, music, and dance; sports and games; aquatics; and community outings to help maintain or improve a patient’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Education and Training: Bachelor’s Degree, certified in Texas or as a National CTRS.
Experience: Two (2) years’ experience as a Recreational Therapist in rehab activities or a similar setting
At PAM Health, we care for chronically and critically ill patients who require extended hospital care. PAM Health has over 80 hospital locations and employs over 11,000 people across the country. Our teams work together to deliver the highest level of compassionate care ensuring the best possible outcome for our patients.
What can we offer you as a full-time employee?
- Medical benefits: EPO/HDHP/HSA options, including prescription coverage, Rx ’n Go, and Teladoc
- Comprehensive dental and vision benefits
- Employee Assistance Program, including counseling, legal, and financial services
- Flexible spending (FSA) and health savings (HSA) accounts
- Life and Disability insurance benefits
- Education/In-Service Opportunities including continuing education and tuition assistance
- Supplemental benefits: Accident, critical illness, cancer, pet, and identity theft protection insurance options
- Auto, Home, Cell Phone, and Gym Membership discount offerings
- Personal Travel Discounts
- 401(k) plans and discretionary employer match
- Generous Paid Benefit Time
Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. These therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts; drama, music, and dance; sports and games; aquatics; and community outings to help maintain or improve a patient’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Education and Training: Bachelor’s Degree, certified in Texas or as a National CTRS.
Experience: Two (2) years’ experience as a Recreational Therapist in rehab activities or a similar setting
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
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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 OCEANS HEALTHCARE, PAM Health, and Havenwyck Hospital, with the largest share of openings in New York, Connecticut, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 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 17% of therapeutic recreation specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of July 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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