Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Therapeutic Recreation Specialists can qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship as healthcare professionals requiring specialized education. Most positions require a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, or related field, meeting specialty occupation criteria. Healthcare employers, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals commonly sponsor international candidates for these roles. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
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Responsibilities:
SHIFT OPTIONS:
CTRS Sunday to Thursday 10am-6:30pm
CTRS Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6:30pm
CTRS Monday-Friday, 10am-6:30pm (For Residential Treatment Center only)
HAVENWYCK HOSPITAL (a UHS facility)
Havenwyck Hospital is a Joint Commission-accredited and licensed psychiatric hospital, overlooking Lake Galloway in Auburn Hills, Michigan. We specialize in providing comprehensive, compassionate behavioral health services to children, adolescents and adults. It is the ultimate goal of our dedicated staff to build strength, confidence and knowledge within each patient, in hopes that they may continue learning and understanding their needs and practicing self-care for the rest of their lives.
For more information, please visit us at www.havenwyckhospital.com
Position Summary:
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is responsible for the provision of Recreational Therapy services, including assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic activity interventions and discharge leisure planning. The CTRS utilizes individual and/or group activity interventions to bring about positive changes in the client's behavior, be-it cognitive, social, emotional or physical. The CTRS educates the client in healthy coping skills, and available leisure resources to continue the client in post discharge leisure planning and involvement. The CTRS will be responsible for evaluating each client's progress and the effectiveness of therapy treatment and recording the results daily. Will attend treatment team conferences to exchange information and observations with other members of the team, as well as assisting with the completion of the initial treatment plan and progress summary updates. All therapy is under the provision of services according to the current standards of practice. If you would like to learn more about this position before applying, please contact Havenwyck Hospital at 248-373-9200.
BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Challenging and rewarding work environment
- Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
- Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plan
- 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
- Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries
- Free Basic Life Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program
- Student Loan Repayment Program - for some degrees and criteria
What do our current employees value at Havenwyck Hospital and UHS?
An environment that puts patient care first. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is providing excellent care, comfort, and security to the patients and families you treat, at their most vulnerable times. Supportive and responsive leadership. You are never alone, as you are part of a large network of peer co-workers that routinely exchange ideas and review current topics within the industry. Having the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance in your career. There are very robust continuing education options and opportunities for skills diversification and career advancement with UHS.
About Universal Health Services
One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 300 corporation, annual revenues were $15.8 billion in 2024. During the year, UHS was again recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 99,000 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located all over the U.S. States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from an approved program required.
- Certification by National Certification Board (NCTRC) required.
- Experience in a behavioral health hospital setting preferred.
- Employee must be in good standing (evaluation/employment history, corrective action, etc.) to be considered for internal transfer.
EEO Statement
All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.
Avoid and Report Recruitment Scams
At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skill set and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (e.g., Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Our recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. If you suspect a fraudulent job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, we encourage you to report such concerns to appropriate law enforcement. We encourage you to refer to legitimate UHS and UHS subsidiary career websites to verify job opportunities and not rely on unsolicited calls from recruiters.

Responsibilities:
SHIFT OPTIONS:
CTRS Sunday to Thursday 10am-6:30pm
CTRS Tuesday to Saturday 10am-6:30pm
CTRS Monday-Friday, 10am-6:30pm (For Residential Treatment Center only)
HAVENWYCK HOSPITAL (a UHS facility)
Havenwyck Hospital is a Joint Commission-accredited and licensed psychiatric hospital, overlooking Lake Galloway in Auburn Hills, Michigan. We specialize in providing comprehensive, compassionate behavioral health services to children, adolescents and adults. It is the ultimate goal of our dedicated staff to build strength, confidence and knowledge within each patient, in hopes that they may continue learning and understanding their needs and practicing self-care for the rest of their lives.
For more information, please visit us at www.havenwyckhospital.com
Position Summary:
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is responsible for the provision of Recreational Therapy services, including assessment, treatment planning, therapeutic activity interventions and discharge leisure planning. The CTRS utilizes individual and/or group activity interventions to bring about positive changes in the client's behavior, be-it cognitive, social, emotional or physical. The CTRS educates the client in healthy coping skills, and available leisure resources to continue the client in post discharge leisure planning and involvement. The CTRS will be responsible for evaluating each client's progress and the effectiveness of therapy treatment and recording the results daily. Will attend treatment team conferences to exchange information and observations with other members of the team, as well as assisting with the completion of the initial treatment plan and progress summary updates. All therapy is under the provision of services according to the current standards of practice. If you would like to learn more about this position before applying, please contact Havenwyck Hospital at 248-373-9200.
BENEFIT HIGHLIGHTS:
- Challenging and rewarding work environment
- Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
- Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plan
- 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
- Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries
- Free Basic Life Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program
- Student Loan Repayment Program - for some degrees and criteria
What do our current employees value at Havenwyck Hospital and UHS?
An environment that puts patient care first. One of the most rewarding aspects of this job is providing excellent care, comfort, and security to the patients and families you treat, at their most vulnerable times. Supportive and responsive leadership. You are never alone, as you are part of a large network of peer co-workers that routinely exchange ideas and review current topics within the industry. Having the opportunity to grow, learn, and advance in your career. There are very robust continuing education options and opportunities for skills diversification and career advancement with UHS.
About Universal Health Services
One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (NYSE: UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 300 corporation, annual revenues were $15.8 billion in 2024. During the year, UHS was again recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 99,000 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located all over the U.S. States, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor Degree in Therapeutic Recreation from an approved program required.
- Certification by National Certification Board (NCTRC) required.
- Experience in a behavioral health hospital setting preferred.
- Employee must be in good standing (evaluation/employment history, corrective action, etc.) to be considered for internal transfer.
EEO Statement
All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.
Avoid and Report Recruitment Scams
At UHS and all our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skill set and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (e.g., Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. Our recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail, etc. If you suspect a fraudulent job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, we encourage you to report such concerns to appropriate law enforcement. We encourage you to refer to legitimate UHS and UHS subsidiary career websites to verify job opportunities and not rely on unsolicited calls from recruiters.
See all 6+ Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Therapeutic Recreation Specialist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
Target healthcare systems over small practices
Large hospital networks and rehabilitation centers have established H-1B programs and legal teams. They're more likely to sponsor than small private practices without immigration experience.
Emphasize your specialized degree requirement
Therapeutic recreation positions typically require specific educational backgrounds in recreation therapy or related fields, strengthening the specialty occupation argument for H-1B petitions.
Consider veterans' healthcare facilities
VA medical centers and military treatment facilities frequently hire therapeutic recreation specialists and have experience with visa sponsorship processes for international healthcare professionals.
Highlight certification credentials
CTRS (Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) certification demonstrates specialized knowledge. International candidates with equivalent credentials can strengthen their sponsorship case significantly.
Research state licensing requirements early
Some states require therapeutic recreation specialists to be licensed. Check requirements in target states before applying, as licensing can affect visa petition timing.
Network through professional associations
American Therapeutic Recreation Association conferences and chapters connect you with employers who understand the profession's specialized nature and may sponsor qualified international candidates.
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Therapeutic Recreation Specialist JobsFrequently Asked Questions
Do therapeutic recreation specialists qualify for H-1B visa sponsorship?
Yes, therapeutic recreation specialists typically qualify for H-1B sponsorship as specialty occupation roles. The position requires a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, or closely related field, meeting USCIS specialty occupation criteria. Healthcare employers commonly sponsor these roles.
What degree do I need for visa sponsorship as a therapeutic recreation specialist?
You need a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, recreational therapy, or a closely related field like psychology with recreation focus. The degree must directly relate to the specific duties of therapeutic recreation practice to satisfy H-1B specialty occupation requirements.
Which employers sponsor therapeutic recreation specialists for work visas?
Hospital systems, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, psychiatric facilities, and VA medical centers commonly sponsor therapeutic recreation specialists. Large healthcare networks with established H-1B programs are your best options, as they have experience with visa processes and legal resources.
Is CTRS certification required for H-1B sponsorship?
CTRS certification isn't legally required for H-1B sponsorship, but many employers prefer or require it. International candidates can often obtain CTRS certification after starting work, but having equivalent credentials from your home country strengthens your petition and demonstrates specialized knowledge.
How to find Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Therapeutic Recreation Specialist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in connecting international healthcare professionals with sponsoring employers. Focus your search on healthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and senior living communities that commonly sponsor H-1B or EB-3 visas for therapeutic recreation roles. These employers often need specialized professionals to develop and implement recreational therapy programs for patients with disabilities or illnesses.
Can therapeutic recreation specialists get green cards through employment?
Yes, therapeutic recreation specialists can pursue employment-based green cards, typically through EB-2 or EB-3 categories. The role generally requires specialized education and training, which can support permanent residency applications. Processing times vary by category and country of birth.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Therapeutic Recreation Specialist 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.
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