Recreation Therapist

Rivendell Behavioral Health Hospital; Kentucky; On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Generous paid time off

Medical, dental, vision plans

401(K) with company match

Tuition savings opportunities

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Rivendell Behavioral Health Hospital is seeking a talented Recreational/Expressive Therapist to join its team in Bowling Green, KY. The role supports and implements program philosophy, delivering engaging therapy and leisure activities for patients across age groups.

Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation and eligibility to sit for the NCTRC exam. Responsibilities include documentation, treatment planning, and discharge coordination within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation or equivalent required and eligible for NCTRC certification.
• Experience designing and leading group therapy and leisure-based activities.
• Ability to collaborate across care teams and document services promptly.

Responsibilities

• Provide and facilitates recreational/expressive therapy services to patients.
• Maintain high quality documentation in accordance with policy and deadlines.
• Develop and update Master Treatment plans with regular patient assessment.
• Collaborate with other departments for discharge and aftercare planning.
• Deliver group therapy using established techniques suitable for patient needs.

Skills

Group therapy

Documentation

Leisure activity planning

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Eligible for NCTRC certification exam

Job description

SIGNING BONUS/RELOCATION ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE!

Rivendell Behavioral Health Hospital is seeking a talented and dynamic Recreational/Expressive Therapist to join our team of dedicated healthcare professionals!

FACILITY LOCATION:

1035 PORTER PIKE

Rivendell is a 149 inpatient psychiatric hospital located in the heart of Bowling Green, KY on a 49 acre campus. At Rivendell Behavioral Health Hospital, children who are in crisis receive psychiatric care. Teens suffering from depression, disabling anxiety, feelings of hopelessness or suicide can learn new ways to cope. Teens and adults suffering from chemical dependency and substance abuse can get help.

Job Responsibilities:

• Supports and implements program philosophy, working closely with other personnel to ensure that each treatment modality is appropriate for the patient.
• Maintains high quality documentation of all therapy services consistent with facility policies in a timely manner, meeting all deadlines as established by facility policy and procedures.
• Maintains professional, ethical standards and all legal requirements.
• Assesses patients’ needs regularly and assists in the development and updating of the Master Treatment plan.
• Plans for and/or assists other departments in the discharge, aftercare planning and aftercare follow-up of assigned patients.
• Provides group therapy to assigned patients consistent with established techniques and methods of the relevant professional literature.
• Exercises sound judgement in making therapeutic decisions concerning assigned cases.
• Demonstrates knowledge of age-specific physical, motor, cognitive, language and social/personality developments. Utilizing development levels within the application of leisure activities.
• Utilizes understanding of growth and development philosophies of the children and adolescents within the application of leisure activities.
• Understands the aging process of adulthood and geriatric population as it relates to leisure activity and shows the ability to provide activities specific for improving physical and/or psychological impairments related to the aging process.
• Demonstrates the understanding of the 12-Step program and the disease process of chemical dependency and how it affects the patient’s medical, social, financial, and leisure status. Has the ability to appropriately engage/provide therapy with patients withdrawing from chemical dependency.
• Challenging and rewarding work environment
• Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
• Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
• 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
• SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program
• Tuition savings to continue your nursing education with Chamberlain University
• Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!
• Pet Insurance
• More information is available on our Benefits Guest Website: benefits.uhsguest.com

Requirements:

• Recreational Therapist: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and eligible to sit for national exam conducted through the National Council on Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
• Art Therapist: Minimum of a Master’s Degree from an accredited university and working towards registration with the Art Therapy Credentials Board (ATCB).
• Music Therapist: Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university and eligible to sit for national exam conducted through the Certification Board for Music Therapist (CBMT).Experience: Thorough knowledge of JC regulations, OSHA regulations, state and federal regulatory standards, and professional Standards of Practice provided through professional Associations; CPR certification.

Additional Requirements:

• Two (2) years of related experience, with knowledge of psychiatric patient care techniques and with an understanding of mental illness, preferred.

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 during 2025 were $17.4 billion. In 2026, UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies and in 2025, was listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies.

Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 101,500 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 in 40 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. For additional information visit 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.