Recreation Therapist

Vera French Community Mental Health Center; Davenport (IA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life insurance, AD&D, and disability

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

Vera French Community Mental Health Center in Davenport, IA seeks a Recreation Therapist to support adults with psychiatric disabilities. You will conduct assessments, develop goals, deliver therapy, document progress, and collaborate within an interdisciplinary team to enhance daily living, social skills, and community reintegration.

Balance direct resident support with program development, timely documentation, and team collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation or Leisure Services or equivalent with 12 months of relevant experience possible as substitution.
• CTRS certification preferred but not required.
• Strong assessment, planning, and documentation capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt approach based on resident progress and needs.

Responsibilities

• Deliver recreation therapy and mental health services per each resident's treatment plan.
• Develop coursework and classes based on needs assessments and resident interests.
• Teach skills suited to each resident's functioning level.
• Foster supportive relationships to promote independence and health.
• Plan, lead, and evaluate groups on health, coping, social, and daily living skills.
• Document services per facility procedures and standards with timely updates.
• Monitor progress and adjust interventions to meet goals.
• Prioritize tasks to ensure resident safety and efficient department operation.
• Share information with supervisor and staff to support coordinated care.
• Provide one-to-one support as assigned and participate in on-call rotation.

Skills

CPR certification

Assess-plan-deliver-evaluate

Written & verbal communication

Flexible evenings/weekends

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation/Leisure Services

CTRS certification preferred

1 year experience substituted for training

Job description

JOIN OUR TEAM! Join our team as a Recreation Therapist and make a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with psychiatric disabilities. In this hands‑on role, you will help residents build practical skills, confidence, and greater independence within a medium‑to‑long‑term treatment program. You will conduct individual assessments, develop treatment goals and interventions, deliver recreation therapy and mental health services, document progress, and collaborate closely with the interdisciplinary team. Your work will support activities of daily living, community reintegration, functional and social skills, self‑advocacy, and physical and emotional health—all with the goal of increasing each resident's engagement in treatment and participation in the community.

You may be a strong fit for this role if you are comfortable balancing direct resident support, thoughtful program development, timely documentation, and close team collaboration. Success requires sound judgment, flexibility, and a willingness to adjust your approach based on resident progress and changing needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver recreation therapy and mental health treatment services in accordance with each resident's treatment plan.
• Develop and refine coursework and classes based on needs assessments, resident interests, observed outcomes, and goals established by the interdisciplinary team.
• Teach skills using methods appropriate to each resident's individual level of functioning.
• Build constructive, supportive relationships that encourage residents to develop skills that promote physical and emotional health and greater independence.
• Plan, organize, lead, and evaluate groups in areas including physical and emotional health, stress management and coping skills, social skills, leisure skill development, community reintegration, and activities of daily living.
• Document services in accordance with facility procedures and standards, including requirements for quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Monitor resident progress, evaluate the effectiveness of interventions, and adjust the approach as needed to support established goals and objectives.
• Prioritize and organize assigned responsibilities to support resident safety and well-being while helping the Recreation Therapy Department operate efficiently.
• Share relevant resident information promptly with the supervisor and floor staff to support coordinated decisions, resident safety, and continuity of care.
• Provide one‑to‑one support to residents when assigned.
• Participate in the RCF-PMI on‑call rotation as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree preferred in Therapeutic Recreation or Leisure Services; or a bachelor's degree with at least 30 semester hours in recreation therapy or leisure services. Twelve months of experience delivering recreation or leisure services in a social service or health field may be substituted for the classroom training requirement.
• Professional‑level certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is preferred.

Skills And Experience

• At least six months of experience in a mental health field and/or an internship focused on mental health or a residential setting is preferred.
• Current CPR certification or the ability to obtain certification.
• Ability to assess, plan, deliver, and evaluate services for individuals and groups.
• Ability to stay current on developments and best practices in recreational therapy and incorporate relevant learning into services.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Other Requirements

• Flexibility to work some evenings, weekends, and/or night shifts to ensure appropriate coverage and supervision.
• Satisfactory background checks with previous employers and references.
• Valid driver's license.
• Ability to pass a drug screen.

Benefits & Perks

• Medical insurance through UnitedHealthcare.
• Dental and vision insurance through Delta Dental.
• Employer‑paid life insurance, AD&D, and long‑term disability coverage through Mutual of Omaha.
• Optional supplemental life insurance and short‑term disability coverage.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
  • 3% employer contribution, vested on day one.
  • 25% employer match on employee contributions up to 6%.

Paid Time Off

• 9 paid holidays.
• 9 paid sick days.
• 2 weeks of vacation.
• 1 Vera French Day.

NOTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION TO REQUIRE A MEDICAL EXAMINATION

I hereby certify that, if hired, I will disclose any limitations I have that may impact my ability to do the job. I understand that I may also be required to undergo a pre‑employment or post‑employment medical exam by the VFCMHC' designated health practitioner.

NOTIFICATION AND AUTHORIZATION TO CONTACT REFERENCES AND CONDUCT BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

I understand that I may be subject to a background check, and hereby authorize Vera French Community Mental Health Center, or any of its affiliates, to investigate my background to determine any and all information of concern as to my record, whether the same is of record or not, and I release employers and persons named in my application from all liability for any damages on account of his/her furnishing said information.

Additionally, you are hereby authorized to make any investigation of my personal history, educational background, military record, motor vehicle records, criminal records, and credit history through an investigative or credit agency or bureau of your choice. I authorize the release of this information by the appropriate agencies to the investigating service. I authorize and give permission for the individuals listed as references to provide written information and/or verbally discuss my background with Vera French Community Mental Health Center, or any of its affiliates.

This authorization, in original or copy form, shall be valid for this and any future reports and updates that may be required. I understand that passing the background check is a condition of employment. A negative background check can be grounds for dismissal, even if an offer has been made to me and I have been hired.