Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Certified Recreational Therapists can secure H-1B visa, O-1 visa, or EB-2/EB-3 visa sponsorship through healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, and specialized care organizations. The role qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or related field, with strong approval rates due to clear educational requirements and documented therapeutic outcomes. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Recreational Therapist II needed for UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH), in Butner, North Carolina.
Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve. UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH) in Butner, North Carolina, is seeking a passionate and team-oriented Recreational Therapist II to support our patients and their families. YBH is a state-of-the-art, 54-bed psychiatric facility providing 24-hour care for children and adolescents facing mental health challenges, dual diagnoses, substance misuse, and complex behaviors. Our philosophy emphasizes a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment designed to foster safety, positive coping skills, and healthy living.
We are seeking a Recreational Therapist II with child and adolescent mental health experience who is dynamic, independent, and team oriented. The Recreational Therapist shall perform a full range of services including recreational therapy evaluation and treatment to patient populations and maintains ongoing program development/evaluation under the supervision of the recreational therapy supervisor. The Recreational Therapist will participate in a variety of professional growth activities and mentorship intended to develop and improve patient care delivery and departmental performance. Additionally, the Recreational Therapist will be encouraged to serve as a clinical educator for recreational therapy students.
Summary:
The Recreational Therapist II provides advanced evidence-based evaluation, treatment interventions, and educational instruction to patients and caregivers. The clinician provides student shadowing, clinical instruction, ongoing program development, new employee training, and participates in departmental and community continuing education and outreach.
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday or Sunday - Thursday with occasional holiday coverage
Responsibilities:
-
Completes recreational therapy documentation per team guidelines. Manages daily caseload with efficiency and efficacy. Meets productivity standards per team guidelines.
-
Administers standard and specialized evaluations, therapeutic procedures and interpretation to assist in establishing a plan of care and manages resources to accomplish patient goals; Identifies expected patient outcomes; Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care with the patient, family/caregiver, and treatment team. Implements individualized patient treatment plans by developing and facilitating individual and/or group interventions. Reassesses and re-evaluates patient progress towards goals, and modifies treatment goals/plans as necessary.
-
Develops, coordinates, and evaluates specialized programs for specific clinical service areas; engages in research and quality improvement initiatives for the clinical service team and department. Serves as an interdisciplinary liaison.
-
Provides clinical education, clinical precepting and mentoring of students, and other disciplines; participates in competency verification and evaluates the learner’s performance. Develops best practices and goals in compliance with departmental and organizational standards.
-
Serves as resource to North Carolina government departments and statewide health professionals in specialty areas; Presents at local (university/hospital) or state level conferences; Participates in community outreach screening and educational events and career promotion efforts.
-
Guide assistive personnel and delegates responsibilities as per licensing board guidelines. Assists with onboarding of new staff by completing clinical orientation and competency verification.
-
Demonstrates leadership attributes, advocates for the profession and facilitates change, contributes to the professional development of others, promotes initiatives, and exemplifies quality service provision.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy, which includes an internship.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
- Licensed as a Recreational Therapist by the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL).
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
Professional Experience Requirements:
- Five (5) years of recreational therapy experience including one (1) year in the specialty field of work to which assigned.
Prefer applicants with experience in hospital based mental health therapy services and experience with children/adolescent mental health.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
- Advanced Clinical Skills as evidenced by specialty certifications, additional training and/or expertise in a given clinical specialty.
- Exhibits effective communication and interprofessional skills; requires physical stamina and repetitive movements, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, and squatting during patient interventions while supporting one's weight; can engage in high-level problem-solving to ensure patient safety during mobilization.
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: UNCH YBH Recreational Therapy
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Salary Range: $21.62 - $31.07 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Day Job
Location of Job: Butner:NC:27509
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
Description
Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.
Recreational Therapist II needed for UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH), in Butner, North Carolina.
Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well-being of the unique communities we serve. UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH) in Butner, North Carolina, is seeking a passionate and team-oriented Recreational Therapist II to support our patients and their families. YBH is a state-of-the-art, 54-bed psychiatric facility providing 24-hour care for children and adolescents facing mental health challenges, dual diagnoses, substance misuse, and complex behaviors. Our philosophy emphasizes a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment designed to foster safety, positive coping skills, and healthy living.
We are seeking a Recreational Therapist II with child and adolescent mental health experience who is dynamic, independent, and team oriented. The Recreational Therapist shall perform a full range of services including recreational therapy evaluation and treatment to patient populations and maintains ongoing program development/evaluation under the supervision of the recreational therapy supervisor. The Recreational Therapist will participate in a variety of professional growth activities and mentorship intended to develop and improve patient care delivery and departmental performance. Additionally, the Recreational Therapist will be encouraged to serve as a clinical educator for recreational therapy students.
Summary:
The Recreational Therapist II provides advanced evidence-based evaluation, treatment interventions, and educational instruction to patients and caregivers. The clinician provides student shadowing, clinical instruction, ongoing program development, new employee training, and participates in departmental and community continuing education and outreach.
Hours: Tuesday - Saturday or Sunday - Thursday with occasional holiday coverage
Responsibilities:
-
Completes recreational therapy documentation per team guidelines. Manages daily caseload with efficiency and efficacy. Meets productivity standards per team guidelines.
-
Administers standard and specialized evaluations, therapeutic procedures and interpretation to assist in establishing a plan of care and manages resources to accomplish patient goals; Identifies expected patient outcomes; Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care with the patient, family/caregiver, and treatment team. Implements individualized patient treatment plans by developing and facilitating individual and/or group interventions. Reassesses and re-evaluates patient progress towards goals, and modifies treatment goals/plans as necessary.
-
Develops, coordinates, and evaluates specialized programs for specific clinical service areas; engages in research and quality improvement initiatives for the clinical service team and department. Serves as an interdisciplinary liaison.
-
Provides clinical education, clinical precepting and mentoring of students, and other disciplines; participates in competency verification and evaluates the learner’s performance. Develops best practices and goals in compliance with departmental and organizational standards.
-
Serves as resource to North Carolina government departments and statewide health professionals in specialty areas; Presents at local (university/hospital) or state level conferences; Participates in community outreach screening and educational events and career promotion efforts.
-
Guide assistive personnel and delegates responsibilities as per licensing board guidelines. Assists with onboarding of new staff by completing clinical orientation and competency verification.
-
Demonstrates leadership attributes, advocates for the profession and facilitates change, contributes to the professional development of others, promotes initiatives, and exemplifies quality service provision.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy, which includes an internship.
Licensure/Certification Requirements:
- Licensed as a Recreational Therapist by the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL).
- Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
Professional Experience Requirements:
- Five (5) years of recreational therapy experience including one (1) year in the specialty field of work to which assigned.
Prefer applicants with experience in hospital based mental health therapy services and experience with children/adolescent mental health.
Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements:
- Advanced Clinical Skills as evidenced by specialty certifications, additional training and/or expertise in a given clinical specialty.
- Exhibits effective communication and interprofessional skills; requires physical stamina and repetitive movements, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, and squatting during patient interventions while supporting one's weight; can engage in high-level problem-solving to ensure patient safety during mobilization.
Job Details
Legal Employer: STATE
Entity: UNC Medical Center
Organization Unit: UNCH YBH Recreational Therapy
Work Type: Full Time
Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00
Salary Range: $21.62 - $31.07 per hour (Hiring Range)
Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity
Work Assignment Type: Onsite
Work Schedule: Day Job
Location of Job: Butner:NC:27509
Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No
This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.
Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.
UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities. All interested applicants are invited to apply for career opportunities. Please email applicant.accommodations@unchealth.unc.edu if you need a reasonable accommodation to search and/or to apply for a career opportunity.
See all 74+ Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
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 Certified Recreational Therapist Jobs
Target healthcare systems with established visa programs
Large hospital networks like Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, and Cleveland Clinic have dedicated immigration departments and regularly sponsor therapists. They understand the specialty occupation requirements better than smaller facilities.
Emphasize your CTRS certification and continuing education
NCTRC certification demonstrates specialized knowledge that supports H-1B specialty occupation requirements. Document your continuing education credits and any additional certifications in adaptive sports or specific populations.
Focus on facilities serving specialized populations
Pediatric hospitals, spinal cord injury centers, and veteran medical centers often struggle to fill recreational therapist positions. These facilities are more likely to sponsor international candidates due to staffing shortages.
Highlight experience with evidence-based interventions
Document your experience with specific therapeutic protocols, outcome measurements, and interdisciplinary team collaboration. This demonstrates the specialized knowledge that differentiates recreational therapy from general activity coordination.
Consider travel therapy companies for initial sponsorship
Travel therapy agencies like CoreMedical Group sponsor international therapists for temporary placements, which can lead to permanent positions. They handle visa logistics and place candidates in underserved areas.
Research state licensing requirements early
Some states require recreational therapist licensure while others don't. Target states with clearer licensing pathways and facilities familiar with credentialing international graduates from COAPRT-accredited programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a recreational therapy degree specifically for H-1B sponsorship?
Yes, most successful H-1B visa cases require a bachelor's degree specifically in recreational therapy from a COAPRT-accredited program, plus CTRS certification. Related degrees in kinesiology or psychology with substantial recreational therapy coursework may qualify, but a direct degree match strengthens your case significantly for specialty occupation requirements.
Which healthcare facilities are most likely to sponsor recreational therapists?
Rehabilitation hospitals, children's hospitals, psychiatric facilities, and skilled nursing facilities with specialized programs sponsor most recreational therapists. Large health systems like HCA Healthcare, Encompass Health, and Select Medical have established visa sponsorship programs and understand the role's specialty occupation requirements better than smaller community facilities.
Can I get sponsored working in assisted living or nursing homes?
Yes, but choose facilities with structured therapeutic recreation programs, not just activities coordination. Sponsors need to demonstrate that your role requires specialized therapeutic knowledge, not general recreation planning. Facilities with Medicare rehabilitation services or specialized dementia care programs typically have stronger sponsorship cases.
What's the approval rate for recreational therapist H-1B petitions?
Recreational therapy H-1B petitions have favorable approval rates when properly documented, typically above 85%. The role clearly meets specialty occupation requirements with its degree mandate and NCTRC certification standards. Most denials result from inadequate job description documentation or employers unfamiliar with demonstrating the specialized knowledge requirement.
Can I transition from student status to H-1B as a recreational therapist?
Yes, F-1 students can use OPT to gain experience while seeking H-1B sponsorship. Complete your CTRS certification during OPT if not already done. Many employers prefer sponsoring candidates they've worked with during OPT periods, especially in specialized settings like pediatric rehabilitation or behavioral health facilities.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Certified Recreational Therapist jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
How to find Certified Recreational Therapist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Certified Recreational Therapist positions with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate to search healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care organizations. These employers often sponsor H-1B visas for qualified recreational therapists. Filter your search by visa sponsorship availability and target hospitals, nursing homes, and specialized therapy centers that regularly hire international healthcare professionals.