ACTIVITY THERAPIST- RECREATIONAL

Universal Health Services; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Universal Health Services is seeking a Recreational Therapist to provide therapeutic recreation for patients in the Military Support Program. You will develop and facilitate structured activities to support recovery, resiliency, healthy coping, social connection, stress management, and overall wellness.

The role requires a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation and experience in related healthcare settings; CTRS credential and trauma-informed yoga exposure are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience providing recreational therapy in behavioral health, psychiatric, or veterans-focused settings preferred.
• Experience with military personnel, veterans, or trauma-affected populations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients' recreational interests, strengths, and barriers to participation.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate structured individual and group recreational therapy.
• Provide activities that promote resiliency, recovery, coping, social connection, and wellness.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary treatment team to integrate therapy goals.
• Maintain accurate documentation and professional boundaries.

Skills

Strong therapeutic communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Job description

Responsibilities

About Universal Health Services

One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues were $15.8 billion in 2024. UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; 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. www.uhs.com

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.

Qualifications

Recreational Therapist

Patriot Support Program

Position Summary

The Recreational Therapist provides therapeutic recreation services for patients participating in the Military Support Program. This position develops and facilitates structured, clinically appropriate recreational activities designed to support recovery, resiliency, healthy coping, social connection, stress management, and overall wellness.

The Recreational Therapist works collaboratively with the interdisciplinary treatment team to integrate recreational therapy into each patient's individualized treatment and recovery goals. Programming should be responsive to the unique experiences and needs of active-duty military personnel, veterans, and other individuals served by the Patriot Support Program.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assess patients' recreational interests, strengths, abilities, needs, and barriers to participation and incorporate findings into therapeutic programming.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate structured individual and group recreational therapy interventions consistent with patients' treatment goals.
• Provide therapeutic activities that promote:
  • Resiliency and recovery
  • Healthy coping skills
  • Stress reduction and emotional regulation
  • Physical wellness
  • Self-esteem and confidence
  • Social interaction and teamwork
  • Development of healthy leisure interests
• Facilitate a variety of therapeutic recreational activities, which may include fitness and movement-based activities, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, outdoor recreation, creative activities, team-building activities, and yoga-based activities when clinically appropriate.
• Adapt recreational interventions based on patients' physical abilities, behavioral health needs, treatment status, and identified goals.
• Collaborate with clinical, nursing, medical, and other members of the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Participate in treatment planning and communicate relevant observations regarding patient participation, progress, strengths, and barriers.
• Complete required assessments, progress notes, treatment documentation, and other clinical records accurately and within established timeframes.
• Maintain appropriate therapeutic boundaries and provide services in a professional, respectful, trauma-informed manner.
• Maintain recreational supplies and equipment and promote safe use of therapeutic recreation spaces.
• Assist with development of recreational programming specific to the Patriot Support population.
• Participate in departmental and hospital meetings, training, performance improvement, and other assigned activities.
• Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of the position.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy, or a related field from an accredited institution.
• Experience providing recreational therapy services in a behavioral health, psychiatric, substance use, rehabilitation, military/veteran, or other healthcare setting preferred.
• Experience working with military service members, veterans, first responders, or trauma-affected populations preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential preferred.
• Experience developing or facilitating therapeutic programming focused on resiliency, recovery, wellness, stress management, and healthy coping.
• Experience or training in yoga, trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness-based movement, or similar mind-body wellness activities strongly preferred.
• Yoga instructor certification or comparable formal yoga training is preferred but not required unless needed for independently provided yoga services.
• Knowledge of military culture and the behavioral health needs of military and veteran populations preferred.
• Experience working within an interdisciplinary behavioral healthcare team preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong therapeutic communication and group facilitation skills.
• Ability to establish professional rapport with patients while maintaining appropriate boundaries.
• Ability to develop engaging, goal-directed therapeutic activities for patients with varying levels of functioning.
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and recovery-oriented treatment.
• Ability to recognize patient safety concerns and communicate them promptly to the appropriate clinical team member.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary treatment environment.
• Demonstrates professionalism, dependability, flexibility, and sound clinical judgment.

Physical Requirements

Ability to perform the physical functions necessary to facilitate recreational and wellness activities and to meet the established physical requirements of the position and facility.