Recreation Therapist

CommonSpirit Health; Council Bluffs (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs is seeking a Recreation Therapist to improve patient well-being by designing therapeutic recreation programs and leading activities. You will assess needs, plan treatments, and document progress while collaborating with care teams to enhance quality of life.

The role requires strong therapeutic recreation knowledge, creativity, and interpersonal skills, with emphasis on trauma-informed care and patient-centered outcomes.

Qualifications

• Understands design and delivery of recreational therapy programs.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care approaches and patient assessment.
• Basic CPR/BLS knowledge or certification is expected.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients on admission and formulate measurable therapy goals.
• Plan and implement recreational and music therapy activities.
• Collaborate with care teams and document progress and outcomes.
• Maintain patient safety and provide trauma-informed care when needed.
• Support patient self-expression and coping strategies through activities.

Skills

Therapeutic Recreation Knowledge

Creativity

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or related field

Bachelor's degree in music therapy or art therapy

Job description

Job Summary and Responsibilities

As a Recreation Therapist, you'll improve patient well-being by designing therapeutic recreation programs, helping them develop skills and enhance quality of life. Every day you'll assess needs, plan treatments, and lead engaging activities, collaborating with teams and documenting progress. To be successful in this role, you need strong therapeutic recreation knowledge, creativity, and interpersonal skills.

• Assesses patients upon admission by administering a recreational therapy assessment. Formulates and implements Recreational Therapy Treatment programs according to individual patient needs. Provides treatment plans to include goals, objectives which are measurable.


• Provides Recreational Therapy/ Music Therapy activities that Assist the patient in dealing with Trauma difficulties and teaches patients positive coping techniques


• Assists patients through a trauma informed care atmosphere in the development of individuality and appropriate methods of self-expression through promoting an environment in which the patient can problem-solve and test out new behaviors.


• Assists the patients in acknowledging and accepting responsibility for psychological and behavioral patterns through providing feedback and positive reinforcement, consistently applying program rights and regulations, behavior modification program and communicating in an appropriate manner with the patients.


• Provides appropriate emergency care and maintains a safe environment. Maintains a secure environment and acts as a resource for emergency situations.


• Provides trauma informed care and supervision to patients needing physical restraints or seclusion.

Job Requirements

Required

• Bachelors Other in Therapeutic Recreation/emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation


• Bachelors Other similar bachelor’s degree i.e. music therapy, art therapy etc


• Basic Life Support - CPR

Preferred

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Where You'll Work

At CHI Health Mercy Council Bluffs, patients are at the heart of our care. Our campus is designed to heal the body, mind and spirit of every person in a more comfortable, less stressful hospital environment. Our full range of medical services include a new pavilion featuring enhancements in heart and vascular care, surgery, maternity, cancer care, and diagnostic imaging.