Recreation Therapist - CTRS

Universal Health Services; Portsmouth (VA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Challenging and rewarding work

Competitive compensation

Excellent medical/dental/vision plans

401(K) with company match

Tuition savings for nursing education

Career development within UHS

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center, Inc. is seeking a Recreation Therapist to join our residential program for youth ages 7-17. The role requires evening and weekend hours in a secure setting focused on emotional, psychiatric, and educational needs.

You will develop activity programming, lead therapeutic groups, and maintain documentation per treatment plans, collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to maximize resident progress.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Activity/Recreation Therapy, Art Therapy, or Music Therapy with CTRS is required.
• CTRS certification required (Current CTRS)
• Valid driver’s license, CPR and crisis management certification preferred or required as stated.

Responsibilities

• Develop recreation/activity programming for all residents.
• Plan and implement therapeutic groups and programs per Individual Service Plan.
• Implement Behavior Management Plan and track resident behavior progress.
• Assess residents to identify strengths/weaknesses in leisure, socialization, and cognition.
• Maintain communication with families and school staff; update IEPs/IIPs and records.
• Participate in on-site and off-site training and development activities.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions with residents, families, staff, and community.

Skills

Recreation Therapy

Assessment

Group Therapy

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Activity/Recreation Therapy, Art Therapy, or Music Therapy with CTRS

Tools

Driver's License

CPR Certification

Crisis Management Certification

Job description

Responsibilities

Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center offers intensive residential treatment services within a secure setting. Our programs are designed to meet the needs of youth ages 7- 17 who are experiencing emotional, psychiatric and educational difficulties. In addition to our general psychiatric programs, we also offer specialty programs for youth with more serious challenges. Harbor Point and its programs are fully accredited by The Joint Commission and the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Educational Facilities. We are licensed by The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services and the Virginia Department of Education. We are a TRICARE-approved and certified facility.

Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center is seeking a Recreation Therapist to join our team. The position does require therapist towork hoursin the evening and on weekends.

Website

https://harborpointbhc.com/

Recreation/activity therapists provide services including assessment, develops activity programming, provide activity/recreation therapy services for all residents.

Essential Functions

1.To develop recreation/activity programming for all residents at Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center.

2.To plan and implement therapeutic groups and programs to meet assessed resident needs as indicated in the Individual Service Plan and prescribed by the Professional/Medical staff.

3.To implement the Behavior Management Plan at Harbor Point Behavioral Health Center, to assess anddocument students’ behavior progress (or lack of progress), to adjust behavioral strategies as needed and in consultation with the treatment team in order to maximize students’ behavioral success.

4.To assess residents to interpret strengths and weaknesses in the areas of leisure skills, socialization skills, cognitive abilities, motor development and physical condition.

5.To maintain consistent communication with other staff at the facility, including parent(s)/guardians, and local education agencies by consulting with team members, attending meetings, keeping accurate records, completing assigned reports, making phone calls, writing letters and updating IEP’s/IIP’s.

6.To participate in professional development activities including on-site training and relevant off-site classes, workshops, etc.

7.To display a high degree of professionalism in all activities and interactions with students, staff, parents, agency personnel, community members, etc.

Full-Time Benefit Highlights

• 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

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, annualrevenuesduring2025were$17.4billion. In 2026,UHS was again recognized as one of Fortune World’s Most Admired Companies™ and in 2025, waslisted in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies.

Headquarteredin King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately101,500employeesand continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physiciannetworkand various related serviceslocatedin 40U.S.states, Washington, D.C., PuertoRicoand the United Kingdom.Foradditionalinformationvisit www.uhs.com.

Qualifications

Education

Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Activity/Recreation Therapy, Art Therapy, or Music Therapy with CTRS.

Licensure/Certification

Current CTRS required

Current valid driver’s license

CPR, First Aid, and Crisis Management Certification

Physical Requirements

Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Stand, walk, kneel and reach while working with students for approximately 80-90% of the day. Use the full range of body motion including handling and physically restraining students when necessary. Perform First Aid and CPR. May require physical exertion for recreational activities. Must possess physical ability to assist restraining residents under such circumstances. Must be able to operate 15 passenger van.

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.