Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs in Washington
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs in Washington are concentrated in Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma, where large integrated health systems and long-term care networks drive consistent hiring at every level from new graduate to senior clinician. Major employers with a lasting presence in Washington, including MultiCare Health System, Providence Health and Services, and Seattle Children's, regularly recruit therapeutic recreation specialists for behavioral health, pediatric rehabilitation, and geriatric care settings. Demand across the state reflects Washington's robust network of inpatient rehab units, skilled nursing facilities, and community mental health programs. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 6+ Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs
- Mental Health Therapist I $34.98 - $42.55 per hour
- Mental Health Therapist II (requires full, unrestricted state licensure): $38.12 - $46.38 per hour
- Work with K-12 students and their guardians in the development of an individual support plan which is strength based, measurable, and assists students in meeting their goals.
- Provide individual, family and group counseling, provide care coordination services as indicated for students in accordance with the behavioral, social-emotional, and adaptive goals in the student's IEP.
- Work in an environment with students with mental health challenges including but not limited to externalizing and self-injurious behaviors.
- Actively participate as a member of multidisciplinary team including but not limited to guardians and other natural supports, IEP teams, school and district staff, community treatment team members, and other team members as indicated.
- In partnership with the program directors, assess for need and submit referrals as clinically indicated for students on caseload.
- Administer and assess evidence-based measurement tools to track student improvement, success and readiness for service conclusion.
- Maintain complete and timely documentation as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations.
- Support and implement ESD 112 agency policies and procedures.
- Provide consultation, education and training for staff as directed by the program director or supervisor.
- Provide psychoeducation and group counseling for parents on mental health topics.
- Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for students.
- Participate in staff and team meetings, inservice programs, workshops and seminars.
- Maintain knowledge of best practices in the mental health field.
- Support extracurricular activities.
-
Other duties as assigned, which may include:
- Teach group lessons on social skills, conflict resolution, grief, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.
- Coordinate and manage student IEPs.
- Run parenting groups utilizing attachment-based curriculum.
- Master's degree or higher in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Psychology.
- Experience working with social/emotional at-risk youth.
- Experience with social/emotional support or therapy.
- Hold or ability to obtain an unrestricted Washington license (LMHC, LMFT, or LICSW).
- Experience and understanding of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), including multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
- Experience working in a day treatment or residential mental-health setting.
- Experience working in a school setting.
- Experience working with Special Education students and/or programs.
- Familiar with Washington mental health agencies and resources.
- Bilingual
- Variety of settings including students' homes, office and school environment.
- Extended or flexible hours as necessary.
- Successful completion of a criminal history and fingerprint check through the WA state patrol and FBI.
- Mental Health Therapist I $34.98 - $42.55 per hour
- Mental Health Therapist II (requires full, unrestricted state licensure): $38.12 - $46.38 per hour
- Work with K-12 students and their guardians in the development of an individual support plan which is strength based, measurable, and assists students in meeting their goals.
- Provide individual, family and group counseling, provide care coordination services as indicated for students in accordance with the behavioral, social-emotional, and adaptive goals in the student's IEP.
- Work in an environment with students with mental health challenges including but not limited to externalizing and self-injurious behaviors.
- Actively participate as a member of multidisciplinary team including but not limited to guardians and other natural supports, IEP teams, school and district staff, community treatment team members, and other team members as indicated.
- In partnership with the program directors, assess for need and submit referrals as clinically indicated for students on caseload.
- Administer and assess evidence-based measurement tools to track student improvement, success and readiness for service conclusion.
- Maintain complete and timely documentation as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations.
- Support and implement ESD 112 agency policies and procedures.
- Provide consultation, education and training for staff as directed by the program director or supervisor.
- Provide psychoeducation and group counseling for parents on mental health topics.
- Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment for students.
- Participate in staff and team meetings, inservice programs, workshops and seminars.
- Maintain knowledge of best practices in the mental health field.
- Support extracurricular activities.
-
Other duties as assigned, which may include:
- Teach group lessons on social skills, conflict resolution, grief, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy.
- Coordinate and manage student IEPs.
- Run parenting groups utilizing attachment-based curriculum.
- Master's degree or higher in Counseling, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, or Psychology.
- Experience working with social/emotional at-risk youth.
- Experience with social/emotional support or therapy.
- Hold or ability to obtain an unrestricted Washington license (LMHC, LMFT, or LICSW).
- Experience and understanding of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), including multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS).
- Experience working in a day treatment or residential mental-health setting.
- Experience working in a school setting.
- Experience working with Special Education students and/or programs.
- Familiar with Washington mental health agencies and resources.
- Bilingual
- Variety of settings including students' homes, office and school environment.
- Extended or flexible hours as necessary.
- Successful completion of a criminal history and fingerprint check through the WA state patrol and FBI.
See All 6 Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs in Washington
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Find JobsTherapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in therapeutic recreation specialist jobs across Washington.
- Active Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential recognized by Washington state employers
- Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or a closely related recreational therapy field
- Experience conducting individualized assessments and developing client treatment plans
- Familiarity with electronic health record systems used in Washington clinical settings
- Ability to work across interdisciplinary care teams in hospital or rehabilitation environments
- Current CPR and basic life support certification required for most Washington clinical positions
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a therapeutic recreation specialist in Washington?
You become a therapeutic recreation specialist in Washington by earning a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or recreation therapy from an accredited program, completing a supervised internship, and passing the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification exam to earn the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential. Washington does not issue a separate state license for this role, so the CTRS credential is the primary qualification Washington employers require. Most hiring managers also expect hands-on clinical internship experience completed before applying.
Which companies hire therapeutic recreation specialists in Washington?
Companies currently hiring therapeutic recreation specialists in Washington include Spokane County, Magic Touch Holistic, and MultiCare Health System, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Washington's large integrated health systems, skilled nursing networks, and community mental health organizations account for a significant share of open positions across the state.
Which Washington cities have the most therapeutic recreation specialist jobs?
Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma have the most therapeutic recreation specialist openings in Washington. Seattle dominates because of its concentration of major hospital systems and rehabilitation centers, while Spokane and Tacoma reflect the large regional medical campuses and long-term care facilities that anchor hiring in eastern Washington and the South Sound corridor.
Are there remote therapeutic recreation specialist jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they're rare. Therapeutic recreation is a hands-on clinical discipline, so most positions require in-person work with patients in hospitals, rehab units, or community settings. About 0% of therapeutic recreation specialist openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those roles typically involve program coordination, telehealth-based assessment support, or administrative work rather than direct patient care.
How can I get hired as a therapeutic recreation specialist in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for internship-to-hire programs or entry-level recreation assistant positions at large Washington health systems such as MultiCare, Providence, or UW Medicine, which regularly bring on new CTRS graduates for structured onboarding. Candidates who have completed their required internship hours at a Washington facility have a meaningful advantage because supervisors already know their work. Activity assistant and recreation aide roles at skilled nursing facilities are also a common stepping stone, and holding a current CTRS credential before applying sets you apart even without post-graduation experience.
Where can I find and apply to therapeutic recreation specialist jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to therapeutic recreation specialist jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings updated regularly. Search the listings, find the roles that match your experience and location, and apply directly through each posting. No sign-up is required to search available positions.
See All 6 Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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