TN Visa Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
Certified Recreational Therapist roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under USMCA for Canadian and Mexican citizens. Employers filing a TN petition need proof of your CTRS credential, a baccalaureate in recreational therapy, and a qualifying job offer. Canadian applicants can secure TN status at the port of entry with no lottery.
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Get Access To All JobsWHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
Job Summary
The Certified Recreational Therapist (CTRS) plans, implements, and evaluates therapeutic recreation programs designed to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate an individual’s level of functioning and independence.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Graduate from accredited Therapeutic Recreation Therapy program
Licenses and Certifications
- (CTRS) CER THERAPEUTC RECREATION SPEC - Certified as a CTRS by the NCTRC (National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification) Upon Hire
- (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC)
Preferred
Experience
1 year experience and BLS
JOB DUTIES
- Conducts job duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Develops rapport with patients and their families using approach congruent with that of health care team for purpose of obtaining maximum participation in activities.
- Develops activities plan reflecting cultural and religious interests of resident population and appeal to both men and women of all age groups. Posts activity plan for each resident in designated place within patient's room. Provides in room activities for patients confined to or choosing to remain in their room. Plans activities that reflects interests and ability levels of patient.
- Determines and documents degree to which interventions achieve or enhance patient outcome.
- Accepts additional responsibility. Assists willingly in coverage of other patients. Facilitates or offers assistance in transport of patients to group activities.
- Advises manager of equipment needs so that appropriate items may be ordered in timely manner.
- Develops discharge recommendations reflecting patients' interests and community resources available.
- Demonstrates knowledge of contra-indications and/or safety issues with various patient types and applies them to treatment.
- Instructs volunteers or staff in activities program plan. Solicits their help in working with patients on in-room activities.
- Organizes patient treatment time efficiently. Organizes unscheduled time efficiently. Assists in on-job training, education, and supervision of Physical Therapy technicians, students and/or nursing.
- Uses sound judgment in stressful and emergency situations involving patient, family, or staff. Represents hospital in professional manner at community function.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
WHY UT SOUTHWESTERN?
With over 75 years of excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, UT Southwestern is committed to excellence, innovation, teamwork, and compassion. As a world-renowned medical and research center, we strive to provide the best possible care, resources, and benefits for our valued employees. Ranked as the number 1 hospital in Dallas-Fort Worth according to U.S. News & World Report, we invest in you with opportunities for career growth and development to align with your future goals. Our highly competitive benefits package offers healthcare, PTO and paid holidays, on-site childcare, wage, merit increases and so much more. We invite you to be a part of the UT Southwestern team where you'll discover a culture of teamwork, professionalism, and a rewarding career!
BENEFITS
UT Southwestern is proud to offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. Our benefits are designed to support your overall wellbeing, and include:
- PPO medical plan, available day one at no cost for full-time employee-only coverage
- 100% coverage for preventive healthcare - no copay
- Paid Time Off, available day one
- Retirement Programs through the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
- Paid Parental Leave Benefit
- Wellness programs
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Qualified Employer
Learn more about these and other UTSW employee benefits!
Job Summary
The Certified Recreational Therapist (CTRS) plans, implements, and evaluates therapeutic recreation programs designed to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate an individual’s level of functioning and independence.
EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION
Required
Education
Graduate from accredited Therapeutic Recreation Therapy program
Licenses and Certifications
- (CTRS) CER THERAPEUTC RECREATION SPEC - Certified as a CTRS by the NCTRC (National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification) Upon Hire
- (BLS) BASIC LIFE SUPPORT course accredited by the American Heart Association (AHA) or American Red Cross (ARC)
Preferred
Experience
1 year experience and BLS
JOB DUTIES
- Conducts job duties in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
- Develops rapport with patients and their families using approach congruent with that of health care team for purpose of obtaining maximum participation in activities.
- Develops activities plan reflecting cultural and religious interests of resident population and appeal to both men and women of all age groups. Posts activity plan for each resident in designated place within patient's room. Provides in room activities for patients confined to or choosing to remain in their room. Plans activities that reflects interests and ability levels of patient.
- Determines and documents degree to which interventions achieve or enhance patient outcome.
- Accepts additional responsibility. Assists willingly in coverage of other patients. Facilitates or offers assistance in transport of patients to group activities.
- Advises manager of equipment needs so that appropriate items may be ordered in timely manner.
- Develops discharge recommendations reflecting patients' interests and community resources available.
- Demonstrates knowledge of contra-indications and/or safety issues with various patient types and applies them to treatment.
- Instructs volunteers or staff in activities program plan. Solicits their help in working with patients on in-room activities.
- Organizes patient treatment time efficiently. Organizes unscheduled time efficiently. Assists in on-job training, education, and supervision of Physical Therapy technicians, students and/or nursing.
- Uses sound judgment in stressful and emergency situations involving patient, family, or staff. Represents hospital in professional manner at community function.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
SECURITY AND EEO STATEMENT
Security
This position is security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes UT Southwestern to obtain criminal history record information.
EEO
UT Southwestern Medical Center is committed to an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the University community. As an equal opportunity employer, UT Southwestern prohibits unlawful discrimination, including discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, or veteran status.
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Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Certified Recreational Therapist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as a Certified Recreational Therapist
Verify your CTRS credential is active
TN status for recreational therapists requires a valid Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential from NCTRC. Confirm your certification is current before applying, because a lapsed CTRS disqualifies the petition regardless of your degree.
Target healthcare systems over outpatient clinics
Hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities file TN petitions more routinely than small outpatient practices. Filter your search toward employers with dedicated HR or legal teams familiar with USMCA professional visa filings.
Request a TN support letter that matches CBP categories
Ask your employer to draft the offer letter using the exact USMCA occupational language for recreational therapist. Mismatched job titles or vague duty descriptions are a leading reason CBP officers ask additional questions at the Canadian border.
Search TN-sponsored positions through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to find recreational therapist roles where employers have indicated TN visa sponsorship availability. Filtering by sponsorship willingness upfront saves weeks of back-and-forth with HR teams unfamiliar with the process.
Clarify consular versus port-of-entry filing early
Mexican citizens must apply at a U.S. consulate and are subject to an annual TN allocation, so confirm visa availability with your employer before accepting an offer. Canadian citizens can proceed directly to a port of entry, skipping the consular queue entirely.
Prepare a credential equivalency letter if your degree title differs
Degrees titled recreation studies, therapeutic recreation, or kinesiology with a therapy concentration may require a credential evaluation letter confirming equivalency to a U.S. baccalaureate in recreational therapy before CBP will accept the petition at the port of entry.
Certified Recreational Therapist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Certified Recreational Therapist JobsCertified Recreational Therapist TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Certified Recreational Therapist role qualify for TN visa sponsorship?
Yes. Recreational therapist is a listed USMCA profession, meaning Canadian and Mexican citizens with a baccalaureate degree in recreational therapy and an active CTRS credential can obtain TN status. The employer provides the job offer and support letter, but no government petition is filed on your behalf separately for Canadians entering at the border.
How does the TN visa compare to H-1B for recreational therapist positions?
The TN visa has no lottery, no annual cap for Canadian citizens, and can be obtained same-day at a port of entry for Canadians. H-1B requires entering a randomized lottery with roughly a one-in-four selection chance, a multi-month wait, and employer-paid petition fees. For Canadian recreational therapists, TN is faster and more predictable than pursuing H-1B sponsorship.
Where can I find recreational therapist jobs that offer TN visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate lists recreational therapist roles specifically filtered for TN visa sponsorship eligibility, so you can identify employers already open to the process without cold-approaching HR teams. Searching by sponsorship status upfront removes the most common early obstacle Canadian and Mexican applicants face when job hunting for this role.
What documents does my employer need to support a recreational therapist TN petition?
Your employer needs to provide a detailed offer letter stating your job title, duties, qualifications required, and intended length of employment. You supply your CTRS certification documentation and degree transcripts. Canadian applicants present these at the port of entry to CBP directly. Mexican applicants submit them as part of the DS-160 consular package before their visa interview.
Can I change recreational therapist employers while on TN status?
You can change employers, but your TN status is tied to your current petitioner. Canadians typically return to a port of entry with a new offer letter to receive a fresh TN annotation. Mexican TN holders need a new consular appointment. There is no grace period codified specifically for TN holders changing jobs, so coordinate your start date carefully with your new employer.
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