Recreational Therapist

Cincinnati Children's; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 32,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days PTO

Job summary

Cincinnati Children’s Burnet Campus seeks a dedicated Recreational Therapist in the Child Life & Integrative Care department. The role supports interdisciplinary treatment planning and delivers therapeutic recreation to enhance social, cognitive, physical, and emotional functioning for patients.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, CTRS certification, and a valid driver’s license. Responsibilities include leading individual and group sessions, documenting outcomes, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field.
• Certification through the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation (CTRS).
• Valid Driver's License.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team to assess patient needs and develop individualized therapeutic recreation interventions.
• Facilitate therapeutic recreation activities designed to improve or restore social, cognitive, physical, emotional, and leisure functioning.
• Utilize evidence-based therapeutic leisure interventions to promote self-expression, self-esteem, independence, and healthy coping skills.
• Provide person-centered care and engage patients with varying levels of cognitive, physical, emotional, and social functioning.
• Lead and facilitate both individual and group therapeutic recreation sessions in a safe, therapeutic, and engaging environment.
• Assess patient progress, document interventions and outcomes, and modify treatment plans as appropriate to meet changing needs.
• Encourage community engagement and social participation through structured outings and community reintegration experiences when clinically appropriate.
• Educate patients and families regarding the benefits of therapeutic recreation and the role of leisure.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, professional standards of practice, and CTRS certification requirements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, treatment planning conferences, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong communication, organizational, and clinical skills while promoting a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Certified through the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation

Valid Driver's License

Job description

• Expected Starting Pay Range $55,182.40 - $69,076.80
• Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Primary Location

Burnet Campus

Department

Child Life & Integrative Care

Shift

Day (United States of America)

Schedule

Full time

Weekly Hours

40

FTE

1

Employee Status

Regular

• Expected Starting Pay Range $55,182.40 - $69,076.80
• Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Recreational Therapist

About The Job

This Recreational Therapist will serve the Burnet Campus

Location: Burnet Campus, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229

Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week, 1.0 FTE

Schedule: Day shift. Work hours will be (8:00 am to 4:30 pm with some days being 10:00 am to 6:30 pm).

Benefits eligible and 30 days of paid time off accrued per year. Unused PTO rolls over.

Pay starts at $53,705.60 annually (as a salaried/exempt employee) and can increase based on years of experience.

Required Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Certified through the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation
• Valid Driver's License

Job Expectations And Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team to assess patient needs and develop individualized therapeutic recreation interventions that support overall treatment goals.
• Facilitate therapeutic recreation activities designed to improve or restore social, cognitive, physical, emotional, and leisure functioning.
• Utilize evidence-based therapeutic leisure interventions to promote self-expression, self-esteem, independence, and healthy coping skills.
• Provide person-centered care. Effectively engage patients with varying levels of cognitive, physical, emotional, and social functioning.
• Lead and facilitate both individual and group therapeutic recreation sessions in a safe, therapeutic, and engaging environment.
• Assess patient progress, document interventions and outcomes, and modify treatment plans as appropriate to meet changing needs.
• Encourage community engagement and social participation through structured outings and community reintegration experiences when clinically appropriate.
• Educate patients and families regarding the benefits of therapeutic recreation and the role of leisure.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, professional standards of practice, and CTRS certification requirements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, treatment planning conferences, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong communication, organizational, and clinical skills while promoting a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation.

More About Child Life

The Division of Child Life and Integrative Care at Cincinnati Children’s is committed to the practice of family-centered care by promoting play, education, developmental and psychosocial support. We are an integral part of the health care team who can support the child’s outpatient visit and inpatient stay. Child Life Specialists can minimize stress and maximize coping of patients and families.

About Us

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s.

Cincinnati Children's Is

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as atop 10 best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years
• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH)Funding
• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025)
• One of the nation'sAmerica’s Most Innovative Companiesas noted by Fortune
• Consistently certified as great place to work
• A Leading Disability Employeras noted by theNational Organization on Disability
• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by theAmerican Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)

We Embrace Innovation—Together. We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us.

Comprehensive Job Description Provided Upon Request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability