Recreation Therapist

Mission Community Hospital; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Mission Community Hospital in Panorama City, California seeks a qualified Recreation Therapist to join as an individual contributor across diverse settings. The role involves direct care, holistic assessment, and forming treatment plans to support physical, mental, and emotional health and daily functioning.

Responsibilities include evaluating diagnoses, designing interventions, coordinating group therapy, and collaborating with an interdisciplinary team to adjust plans.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field.
• Current CTRS certification or California Board certification (CTRS)
• Previous clinical experience in a mental health setting preferred.
• Strong work ethic, teamwork, and interpersonal skills.
• HIPAA knowledge and regulatory compliance.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Current BLS/CPR/AED certification.
• Flexible hours

Responsibilities

• Assess diagnosis and formulate treatment plans and goals.
• Interview and evaluate functioning and determine interventions.
• Facilitate and coordinate group therapy services.
• Monitor progress and re-evaluate goals to develop a plan.
• Develop treatment objectives in the plan.
• Provide direct care to individuals, families and groups.
• Participate in staff meetings and quality improvement.
• Maintain patient records and progress reports.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary team to adjust treatment programs.
• Contribute to planning and development of recreation therapy services and programs.
• Create groups with other therapists.
• Facilitate individual and group therapy sessions using leisure activities and therapies.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Time management

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field

Job description

Job Summary

Mission Community Hospital in Panorama City, California is seeking a qualified and dedicated Recreation Therapist to join their team. This is an individual contributor role that will work in a variety of settings. Responsibilities will range from providing direct care and support to individuals, families and groups. The Recreation Therapist will take a holistic approach by assessing the individual's diagnosis and formulating a treatment plan that will aid in their overall physical, mental, emotional health, improve quality of life and daily functioning. The successful candidate must demonstrate a high degree of professionalism and provide superior support to the patients, families and the health team.

Key Responsibilities

• Assess the diagnosis of individuals served and formulate treatment plans and goals
• Interview and evaluate levels of functioning and determine the interventions or modalities by which their goals are to be achieved
• Facilitate and coordinate group therapy services
• Monitor patient progress and re-evaluate goals in order to develop a comprehensive plan
• Develop treatment objectives that are included in the treatment plan
• Provide direct care and support to individuals, families and groups
• Participate in staff meetings, in-services, and quality improvement activities
• Maintains detailed patient records, documents clinical notes on patient charts, and prepares progress reports in a timely manner
• Utilize evidence‑based treatment in all aspects of the position
• Collaborates as a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, offering therapeutic insights where specific patient issues are discussed. Designs and adjusts treatment programs based on the evolving needs of the patient.
• Provides feedback to the interdisciplinary team regarding the patient’s progress, recommending any necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
• Contributes to the planning and development of recreation therapy services and programs, including setting and evaluating program goals, objectives, and outcomes.
• Collaborate with other team members/recreation therapists in creating groups
• Facilitates individual and group therapy sessions designed to enhance physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, while fostering independence in daily activities. Selects therapeutic interventions such as leisure education, social and recreational activities, arts, music, movement, exercise, sports, horticulture tailored to each patient’s interests, needs, and abilities.

Requirements

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in Recreation Therapy/Therapeutic Recreation or related field.
• Current certification to practice as a Recreation Therapist issued by the California Board of Parks and Recreation Certification or certification to practice as a CTRS issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
• Previous clinical experience in a mental health setting preferred
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic, positive attitude, compassion, excellent teamwork and interpersonal skills
• Working knowledge of HIPAA regulations. Policies/Ethical Conduct, adhering to state practices, and other regulatory agencies
• Strong organizational, problem solving, communication and time management skills
• Ability to work flexible hours
• Current BLS/CPR/AED Certification