Recreation Therapist

GreenLife Healthcare Staffing; Dix Hills (NY); On-site; USD 72,000 - 84,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

W2 benefits

Consistent schedule

Professional growth

Mission-driven impact

Job summary

GreenLife Healthcare Staffing seeks a Recreation Therapist in Dix Hills, NY for a W2 contract role. The therapist will plan, implement, and evaluate recreation programs for children and adolescents in inpatient psychiatric care, aiming to support treatment goals and rehabilitation.

Responsibilities include assessing needs, leading individual and group activities, and collaborating with the treatment team. Certifications like BLS/CPR and First Aid are preferred, with comprehensive schedule

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation or related field with coursework in therapeutic recreation.
• Experience in recreation therapy in behavioral health or similar clinical setting.
• Experience with children/adolescents with behavioral or psychiatric needs.
• Current BLS/CPR and First Aid certifications.
• Able to pass background checks and facility screenings.
• Preferred: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients’ recreational interests, abilities, and therapeutic needs.
• Develop individualized and group therapeutic recreation activities aligned with treatment plans.
• Conduct structured programs to support emotional regulation and social skills.
• Provide indoor and outdoor activities suitable for age and safety.
• Adapt activities for patients with limitations and maintain safety.
• Observe progress and document assessments, interventions, and outcomes.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning and meetings.
• Maintain equipment inventory and inspect activity spaces for hazards.

Skills

Therapeutic recreation

Assessment

Group activity facilitation

Pediatric behavioral health

Crisis prevention

Documentation

Communication

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation

Curriculum coursework in recreational therapy

Tools

Basic Life Support (BLS)

CPR certification

First Aid certification

Job description

Recreation Therapist - Dix Hills, NY (#R10287)

Location:Dix Hills, New York

Employment Type:W2 Contract

Hourly Rate: $35 per hour

Position Overview:

The Recreation Therapist provides structured therapeutic recreation services to children and adolescents receiving inpatient psychiatric care. The therapist plans, implements, and evaluates individualized and group recreation programs that support treatment goals, improve social and coping skills, promote appropriate leisure participation, and contribute to each patient's overall rehabilitation.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive Compensation: Earn $35 per hour providing therapeutic recreation services to children and adolescents in an inpatient psychiatric setting.
• Comprehensive Benefits: W2 employment position with a consistent schedule.
• Work Schedule: Friday through Tuesday, 10:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. (Hours may differ based on facility needs.)
• Professional Growth: Gain valuable experience in a collaborative, innovative, and supportive environment while working with children and adolescents with behavioral and psychiatric needs.
• Impactful Work: Contribute to a mission-driven organization dedicated to improving patient outcomes by supporting emotional regulation, social interaction, and rehabilitation through therapeutic recreation.

Qualifications:

• Job Qualifications & Certifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation, recreation therapy, recreation, physical education, adaptive physical education, or a closely related field.
  • Education must include coursework in therapeutic recreation or recreation therapy.
  • Experience in recreation therapy or structured therapeutic activities in a behavioral health, psychiatric, pediatric, developmental disability, rehabilitation, residential treatment, or comparable clinical setting.
  • Experience working with children or adolescents with behavioral or psychiatric needs.
  • Current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential preferred.
  • Current Basic Life Support or CPR certification.
  • Current First Aid certification.
  • Ability to satisfy required background checks, health screenings, immunization requirements, and facility clearance standards.
  • Ability to complete mandatory facility orientation and training.
  • Ability to perform the physical duties associated with supervising and conducting recreation activities.
• Skills:
  • Therapeutic recreation assessment and treatment planning
  • Individual and group activity facilitation
  • Pediatric and adolescent behavioral health
  • Crisis prevention and de-escalation
  • Behavioral observation and intervention
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Patient safety and risk awareness
  • Activity adaptation
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Organization and time management
  • Professional judgment and boundaries
  • Confidentiality and regulatory compliance
  • Ability to work effectively in a secure inpatient psychiatric environment

Key Responsibilities:

• Assess patients’ recreational interests, functional abilities, limitations, behaviors, and therapeutic needs.
• Assess patients’ recreational interests, functional abilities, limitations, behaviors, and therapeutic needs.
• Develop individualized and group therapeutic recreation activities consistent with treatment plans.
• Conduct structured recreation programs that support emotional regulation, social interaction, communication, self-esteem, coping skills, and appropriate leisure participation.
• Provide indoor and outdoor activities appropriate to patients’ ages, clinical conditions, developmental levels, and safety needs.
• Adapt activities for patients with behavioral, cognitive, emotional, developmental, or physical limitations.
• Observe patient participation, behavior, progress, and response to therapeutic activities.
• Document assessments, interventions, attendance, progress, and outcomes
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment planning, clinical meetings, etc.
• Monitor and account for recreation equipment, supplies, and materials.
• Inspect activity areas and equipment for safety hazards and report concerns promptly.
• Apply approved behavioral-support, de-escalation, emergency, and safety procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and protect patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Comply with facility policies, treatment protocols, infection-control standards, and applicable regulations.
• Complete required orientation, training, documentation, and competency requirements.
• Perform related therapeutic recreation duties assigned within the scope of the position.