Entry Level Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs
New grad therapeutic recreation specialist jobs welcome recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where strong internship work or clinical placement hours can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles in Healthcare & Medical Services, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Science & Research, with employers like Abbott, CHRISTUS Health, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital hiring at this level now.
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Showing 5 of 17+ Entry Level Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs
- R-0000062867
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Human Services
- Clinical & Research Support Services
- Full Time
- Hospital Authority (MUHA)
Job Description Summary
The Therapeutic Assistant on the 2N Youth psych Unit reports to the Nurse Manager. Under the direction of a registered nurse the Therapeutic Assistant is responsible for providing patient care as directed by the multi- disciplinary treatment plan and the daily assignment sheet. The Therapeutic Assistant assists with patient admission on discharge processes, monitors and promotes the safety of the therapeutic environment, assure that patient’s activities of daily living are maintained, and supports the therapeutic program.Entity
Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)Worker Type
EmployeeWorker Sub-Type
RegularCost Center
CC000757 CHS - Psych - Youth IP (IOP)Pay Rate Type
HourlyPay Grade
Health-20Scheduled Weekly Hours
36Work Shift
Day (United States of America)Job Description
Entity/Organization: MUHA (Medical University Hospital Authority/Medical Center)
Scheduled Work Hours/Shift: 3 12-hour day shifts per week, including weekends & holidays
Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Hourly
Job Summary/Purpose: The Therapeutic Assistant reports to the Nurse Manager. Under the direction of a registered nurse the Therapeutic Assistant is responsible for providing patient care as directed by the multi-disciplinary treatment plan and the daily assignment sheet. The Therapeutic Assistant assists with patient admission on discharge processes, monitors and promotes the safety of the therapeutic environment, assure that patient’s activities of daily living are maintained, and supports the therapeutic program.
Minimum Training and Education:
Therapeutic Assistant I - High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Therapeutic Assistant II - Bachelor's degree in Human Services or closely related field, or high school diploma and 1 year of experience in behavioral health or related healthcare required.
Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations: Certification in Basic Life Support required within 2 weeks of hire. Thereafter, must maintain Current Basic Life Support (BLS), either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider. Certification in TACT and First Aid within the first 6 months of employment and annually thereafter for TACT and biannually for BLS and First Aid.
Additional Job Description
Physical Requirements: Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent) Ability to perform "pinching" operations. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that can not assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (Continuous) Ability to work rotating shifts. (Frequent) Ability to work overtime as required. (Frequent) Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) (Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous) (Selected Positions)
If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!
The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.
Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees
- R-0000062867
- Charleston, South Carolina
- Human Services
- Clinical & Research Support Services
- Full Time
- Hospital Authority (MUHA)
Job Description Summary
The Therapeutic Assistant on the 2N Youth psych Unit reports to the Nurse Manager. Under the direction of a registered nurse the Therapeutic Assistant is responsible for providing patient care as directed by the multi- disciplinary treatment plan and the daily assignment sheet. The Therapeutic Assistant assists with patient admission on discharge processes, monitors and promotes the safety of the therapeutic environment, assure that patient’s activities of daily living are maintained, and supports the therapeutic program.Entity
Medical University Hospital Authority (MUHA)Worker Type
EmployeeWorker Sub-Type
RegularCost Center
CC000757 CHS - Psych - Youth IP (IOP)Pay Rate Type
HourlyPay Grade
Health-20Scheduled Weekly Hours
36Work Shift
Day (United States of America)Job Description
Entity/Organization: MUHA (Medical University Hospital Authority/Medical Center)
Scheduled Work Hours/Shift: 3 12-hour day shifts per week, including weekends & holidays
Fair Labor Standards Act Status: Hourly
Job Summary/Purpose: The Therapeutic Assistant reports to the Nurse Manager. Under the direction of a registered nurse the Therapeutic Assistant is responsible for providing patient care as directed by the multi-disciplinary treatment plan and the daily assignment sheet. The Therapeutic Assistant assists with patient admission on discharge processes, monitors and promotes the safety of the therapeutic environment, assure that patient’s activities of daily living are maintained, and supports the therapeutic program.
Minimum Training and Education:
Therapeutic Assistant I - High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Therapeutic Assistant II - Bachelor's degree in Human Services or closely related field, or high school diploma and 1 year of experience in behavioral health or related healthcare required.
Required Licensure, Certifications, Registrations: Certification in Basic Life Support required within 2 weeks of hire. Thereafter, must maintain Current Basic Life Support (BLS), either a certification from an American Heart Association (AHA) BLS for Healthcare Providers (or AHA recognized equivalent) or an American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Healthcare Provider. Certification in TACT and First Aid within the first 6 months of employment and annually thereafter for TACT and biannually for BLS and First Aid.
Additional Job Description
Physical Requirements: Ability to perform job functions while standing. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while sitting. (Continuous) Ability to perform job functions while walking. (Continuous) Ability to climb stairs. (Infrequent) Ability to work indoors. (Continuous) Ability to work outside in temperature extremes. (Infrequent) Ability to work from elevated areas. (Frequent) Ability to work in confined/cramped spaces. (Frequent) Ability to perform job functions from kneeling positions. (Infrequent) Ability to bend at the waist. (Continuous) Ability to twist at the waist. (Frequent) Ability to squat and perform job functions. (Frequent) Ability to perform "pinching" operations. (Frequent) Ability to perform gross motor activities with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform firm grasping with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to perform fine manipulation with fingers and hands. (Continuous) Ability to reach overhead. (Frequent) Ability to perform repetitive motions with hands/wrists/elbows and shoulders. (Continuous) Ability to fully use both legs. (Continuous) Ability to use lower extremities for balance and coordination. (Frequent) Ability to reach in all directions. (Continuous) Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs. unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift/lower objects 50 lbs. from/to floor from/to 36 inches unassisted. (Infrequent) Ability to lift from 36" to overhead 25 lbs. (Infrequent) Ability to exert up to 50 lbs. of force. (Frequent) Examples include: To transfer a 100 lb. patient that can not assist in the transfer requires 50 lbs. of force. For every 100 additional pounds, assistance will be required from another healthcare worker. 20 lbs. of force is needed to push a 400 lb. patient in a wheelchair on carpet. 25 lbs. of force is required to push a stretcher with a patient with one hand. Ability to maintain 20/40 vision, corrected, in one eye or with both eyes. (Continuous) Ability to see and recognize objects close at hand or at a distance. (Continuous) Ability to match or discriminate between colors. (Continuous) Ability to determine distance/relationship between objects; depth perception. (Continuous) Good peripheral vision capabilities. (Continuous) Ability to maintain hearing acuity, with correction. (Continuous) Ability to perform gross motor functions with frequent fine motor movements. (Continuous) Ability to deal effectively with stressful situations. (Continuous) Ability to work rotating shifts. (Frequent) Ability to work overtime as required. (Frequent) Ability to work in a latex safe environment. (Continuous) Ability to maintain tactile sensory functions. (Continuous) (Selected Positions) *Ability to maintain good olfactory sensory function. (Continuous) *(Selected Positions) *Ability to be qualified physically for respirator use, initially and as required. (Continuous) (Selected Positions)
If you like working with energetic enthusiastic individuals, you will enjoy your career with us!
The Medical University of South Carolina is an Equal Opportunity Employer. MUSC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, age, sex, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, protected veteran status, family or parental status, or any other status protected by state laws and/or federal regulations. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment based upon applicable qualifications, merit and business need.
Medical University of South Carolina participates in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For further information about the E-Verify program, please click here: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees
See All 17 Entry Level Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs
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Entry Level Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level therapeutic recreation specialist job?
Employers hiring at the entry level typically look for a CTRS credential or progress toward certification, completed internship or clinical hours, and hands-on experience with a specific population such as older adults, pediatric patients, or individuals with disabilities. A portfolio documenting program plans you have designed or co-facilitated gives you a concrete edge over candidates who rely on coursework descriptions alone.
Which companies hire entry level therapeutic recreation specialists?
Companies hiring entry level therapeutic recreation specialists right now include Abbott, CHRISTUS Health, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level tends to come from hospitals, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, behavioral health organizations, and community recreation programs that build their teams from new graduates.
Are there remote entry level therapeutic recreation specialist jobs?
Yes, though most roles at this level are on-site due to the hands-on nature of therapeutic programming. About 0% of entry level therapeutic recreation specialist openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those positions typically involve telehealth support, virtual group facilitation, or program coordination rather than direct bedside or floor-based care.
Are these new grad therapeutic recreation specialist jobs?
Yes, many of the openings on this page are new grad and junior roles that explicitly welcome recent graduates and candidates with little or no professional experience. A posting is typically new-grad friendly when it lists zero to two years of experience as acceptable, counts internships or fieldwork placements toward the requirement, or states that a strong CTRS candidate will be considered regardless of prior full-time history.
Which industries hire the most entry level therapeutic recreation specialists?
Entry Level therapeutic recreation specialist roles concentrate in Healthcare & Medical Services, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Those sectors drive hiring at this level because they rely on structured therapeutic programming for patient recovery, behavioral treatment, and quality-of-life outcomes, making new graduates with clinical training immediately deployable.