Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist ( CTRS ) - FT Days

Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 33,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

HSA and FSA options

Company-paid Basic Life & AD&D

Disability benefits

401(k) Retirement Plan with company 0.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and 

Employee Discount Program

Paid Holidays

Paid Time Off (PTO)

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee seeks a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) for our 94-bed facility providing psychiatric and addiction services.

The role focuses on planning and delivering activity therapy as a core component of treatment, with emphasis on patient engagement and targeted outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field required.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Three or more years’ experience in recreation in a healthcare setting.
• Experience in healthcare recreation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Complete activity assessment through observation and interviews to inform the treatment plan.
• Plan, organize, direct and implement activities to support treatment goals.
• Lead sessions in therapeutic leisure, education, and awareness activities.
• Facilitate sessions to improve mental and physical well-being.
• Instruct patients in activities like sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques.
• Develop and implement activity interventions aligned with patient goals.
• Engage patients in therapeutic activities and community outings.
• Help patients learn social skills for independence.
• Modify activities for different groups.

Skills

Activity assessment

Program planning

Patient engagement

CPR certified

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Master’s degree preferred

Three+ years healthcare recreation experience

Job description

Join our team as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist ( CTRS ) located in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our 94-bed treatment center offers superior psychiatric and addiction services to individuals of all ages.

Required Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 8:00am-4:30pm EST

Hourly: $24.10 - $31.95

Erlanger Hospital offers an extensive array of benefits to our valued team members. Current offerings encompass:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance coverage
• Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options
• Company-paid Basic Life & AD&D insurance
• Disability benefits
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with a company match
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Employee Discount Program
• Paid Holidays for work-life balance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Tuition Reimbursement opportunities for career advancement

Purpose Statement

Plan, direct and implement activity therapy programs as a component of the patient’s treatment plan.

Essential Functions

• Complete activity assessment through patient observation and patient/family interview, obtaining information on the patient’s needs, skills, interests and limitations for the development and implementation of the treatment plan.
• Plan, organize, direct and implement the activities within the treatment program to facility patient progress with treatment goals.
• Plan and implement an activities program including but not limited to therapeutic leisure skills and activities, leisure education and leisure awareness.
• Facilitate and lead activity sessions to improve patient mental and physical well-being.
• Instruct patients in activities and techniques, such are sports, dance, music, art or relaxation techniques designed to meet their specific needs.
• Develop treatment plans and implement activity interventions that meet patient needs and interests and helps the patient achieve his/her treatment goals.
• Engage patients in therapeutic activities, such as exercise, games and community outings.
• Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent.
• Modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups.
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic and professional attitude towards customers always. When patient needs are not met, acknowledge and work to resolve complaints. Recognize that patient safety is a top priority.

Other Functions

• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned.

Education/Experience/Skill Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Three or more years’ experience in recreation in a healthcare setting with knowledge of patient population served by the facility required.
• Previous experience in recreation in a healthcare setting is preferred.

Licenses/Designations/Certifications

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or currently in the process of obtaining national certification; OR certified in the area of specialty (Art, Dance, Music, etc.) OR clinical professional licensure (LCPC, LPC, etc.) with certification in expressive therapy area required.
• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility).
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements.

While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the requirements of the job, management reserves the right to add or remove duties from particular jobs when circumstances (e.g. emergencies, changes in workload, rush jobs or technological developments) dictate.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment regardless of an individual’s characteristics protected by applicable state, federal and local laws.