RECREATION THERAPY ASSISTANT | BEHAVIORIAL HEALTH SERVICES - RECREATION THERAPY | FULL-TIME DAY SHIFT (21033)

Care Plus Bergen, Inc.; Paramus (NJ); On-site; USD 27,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center in Paramus, NJ, is seeking a Recreation Therapy Assistant to provide on-site recreational activities and behavioral health support. The role includes leading therapy-related programs, assisting with daily living tasks, and coordinating with the rehabilitation team to support patient progress.

The position requires Heartsaver/CPR certification, 1–2 years of behavioral health experience, and strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

• Heartsaver/CPR certification required.
• 1–2 years of direct service provider experience in a behavioral health facility preferred.
• Technical skills required for patient care.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Speaks, reads and writes English as required by the position.

Responsibilities

• Delivers on- and off-unit recreational activities per unit program schedule.
• Implements and leads programs related to leisure education, stress reduction, social skills, and exercise.
• Provides patient interventions during group activities and in unit milieu.
• Assists with activities of daily living (e.g., vital signs, meals).
• Communicates with the treatment team regarding patient needs and observations.
• Maintains daily patient schedule and unit environment for safety and therapy.

Skills

CPR Certification

Behavioral health experience

Technical patient care skills

Oral and written communication

Interpersonal skills

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma

Job description

Job Category: Allied Health/Technical

Requisition Number: RECRE009648

• Posted : October 19, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

New Jersey CPB
Paramus, NJ 07652, USA

Description

Join Our Team at Bergen New Bridge Medical Center!**
We are dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to our diverse community. As a leading healthcare provider, we offer a supportive and inclusive work environment. If you’re passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative setting, Bergen New Bridge Medical Center is looking for a Recreation Therapy Assistant.

Requirements:

Patient care responsibilities are delivered with knowledge of patient growth and development and are appropriate to the ages of the patients served.

Provides on and off unit recreational activities in accordance with the unit program schedule as determined by the Program Director and the Director of Rehabilitation Services.

Implements and leads programs related to leisure education, stress reduction, social skills, reality orientation, communication skills, self esteem, independent living skills and physical exercise.

Uses appropriate behavioral management techniques when interacting with patients.

Provides appropriate individual patient interventions during group activities and in the unit milieu.

Provides support and assistance to other clinical staff in group and individual therapeutic interventions.

Assists patients with activities of daily living, as assigned. These activities include but are not limited to the following: vital signs, meal serving and monitoring.

Communicates effectively with the Charge Nurse and other treatment team members regarding patient’s needs and requests and observed behaviors.

Takes direction from the Unit Charge Nurse concerning patient care and management, as appropriate.

Provides daily orientation to patients to the unit environment and the scheduled program services for the day, i.e., maintains daily posted patient schedule and patient assignments.

Responsible for unit activity areas (i.e., day room, dining room, activity room and other group rooms) to provide a clean, safe and therapeutic environment. Activity may include moving furniture to create the optimal environment for the recreational activity, cleaning up after the activity (e.g., wiping tables, organizing storage closets, pantries and other areas).

Conducts patient head count, as assigned.

Participates in monitoring precaution levels as assigned.

Assist with transporting patients to and from scheduled activities and other appointments.

Participates in activity program development in conjunction with other Rehabilitation Department staff.

Participates in the development and implementation of multidisciplinary treatment plans as appropriate.

Assists in creating an aesthetically pleasing unit environment and decorating for seasonal/holiday observances following hospital safety standards.

Documents patients’ actions, behaviors, symptoms, significant verbal and non-verbal communications in a prescribed format in the patient’s medical record as determined by policy and procedure.

Follows Hospital-Wide, Behavioral Health, Department of Rehabilitation policies and procedures.

Applies principles of infection control and safety in the work environment.

Understands and adheres to the Medical Center’s Code of Conduct.

Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards. Promotes adherence to the Patient's Bill of Rights.

Customer Service: respect, flexibility, knowledge, confidence, professionalism, pleasant attitude, patience and helpfulness. All responses should be timely, professional, caring, and respectful in accordance with Customer Service Performance expectations.

Other Job Duties:

Effectively utilizes the hospital computer system as it pertains to job responsibilities and in accordance with hospital policy

May assist patients during mealtimes, i.e., patient observation, assistance with feeding

May assist patients with ambulation, i.e., walking about the unit, accompanying to the bathroom

Identifies problems and contributes to unit and department problem-solving processes.

Participates in unit committees and in Performance Improvement activities, as assigned.

Assists other personnel as necessary

Performs other duties as assigned to support the overall objectives of the department and organization.

Position Qualifications:

• Heartsaver/CPR Certification required.
• 1 to 2 years experience as a direct service provider in a behavioral health facility preferred.
• Technical skills required for patient care.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Speaks, reads and writes English to the extent required by the position.

Education:

High School graduate or equivalent required.

Job Setting/Physical Demands:

• All patient care areas; contact with patients, visitors, staff.
• Frequent prolonged standing/walking.
• Lifts, positions, pushes, and/or transfers patients.
• Frequent bending, stooping, reaching, kneeling, crouching.
• Mobility and manual dexterity

Salary commensurate with experience within posted range.

$23.58 PER HR.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package, including a competitive medical, dental, and vision plans. We prioritize work-life balance with a generous time off policy that includes ample vacation days, personal time, sick leave and nine paid holidays. Additionally, we are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees, offering robust tuition reimbursement and continuing education programs to help support our employees ongoing development.

Please note that selection of the candidate for any position will depend on several factors, including the individual’s educational background, skills, and professional experience.

Qualifications

Education

Experience

Preferred

1-2 years:

Experience as a direct service provider in a behavioral health facility preferred.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

*Heart Saver

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.