RECREATIONAL THERAPIST 2

Arizona Department of Administration; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 32,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hiring incentive

Job summary

ARIZONA STATE HOSPITAL seeks a Recreational Therapist 2 to provide therapeutic recreation services under supervision. You will evaluate patients, develop and implement treatment plans, document progress, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to meet rehabilitative goals.

The role requires a bachelor's degree and licensure eligibility (NCTRC) with CPR/NVCI certifications and a valid driver's license; a $5,000 hiring incentive is offered, with opportunities to contribute to adaptive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• NCTRC certification or eligibility to sit for the exam within 6 months.
• Valid Level 1 fingerprint clearance.
• CPR and NVCI certification.
• Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and conduct therapeutic recreation services on and off grounds; includes escorting patients to activities and driving vehicles.
• Document evaluation results, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries in the health record.
• Screen and evaluate patients for therapeutic recreation services.
• Report on patient progress in interdisciplinary treatment planning and reviews.
• Consult with caregivers and community agencies as indicated; submit reports as required.

Skills

Recreational therapy

Assessment

Treatment planning

Documentation

Interdisciplinary collab

Education

Bachelor's degree

NCTRC certification eligible

Job description

DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

ARIZONA STATE HOSPITAL

RECREATIONAL THERAPIST 2

Job Location: ARIZONA STATE HOSPITAL

Address: 501 N. 24th Street Phoenix, AZ 85008

Salary: $23.8975

Grade: 17

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Job Summary:

This position is eligible for a $5,000 hiring incentive. The Recreational Therapist 2 works under general supervision of a higher level therapist or program manager exercising discretion and judgment within guidelines of the profession and those established for the work unit; provides direct recreational therapy services, evaluates patient's needs and rehabilitative potential, structures and implements individual and group treatment plans, evaluates patient's progress, maintains clinical records, evaluates with physicians, other disciplines, and higher level therapists the neurophysiological and psychosocial needs of individuals and adapts the various techniques of recreational therapy to meet these needs; develops and adjusts treatment or service plan for patient based on knowledge of patient's situation gained from interviewing and gathering case information; conducts therapy sessions with individuals and groups in accordance with treatment plans and specific methodologies and techniques; attends client/staffing meetings, participates in discussions and problem-solving processes; chooses treatment modalities for their ability to produce predetermined goals such as increased muscle strength and coordination, sensory motor integration and/or increased awareness of and ability to cope with one's surroundings and interpersonal relationships; applies techniques such as training in activities of daily living, conditioning, and muscular facilitation; confers with other members of the treatment or therapy team, discussing, planning, and determining courses of action in patient care, treatment, or case determination; maintains appropriate clinical records regarding diagnosis, treatment, and summary of patient's progress; participates in establishing and maintaining a safe, orderly, and therapeutic environment; leads, instructs, and encourages patients in a program of individual and group activities of a physical, social, and cultural nature such as indoor and outdoor games and sports, arts and crafts, music, parties, hobby shop work and special interest clubs; designs and constructs adaptive, assistive, and supportive equipment for use of patients to improve motor functioning, strengthen and support muscles, or prevent malfunction or deformity; conducts and participates in in-service training and staff development programs for regularly employed staff.

Job Duties:

• Planning, organizing, and conducting therapeutic recreation treatment services on and off grounds; individual and group therapy; includes escorting patients to and from activities, driving electric vehicles and vans.
• Documenting evaluation results, treatment plans, progress notes, and discharge summaries in the patient's health record.
• Screen and evaluate patients for therapeutic recreation services.
• Reports on patient's progress in the interdisciplinary treatment planning and review conferences.
• Consulting with other caregivers including community agencies as indicated; submits monthly productivity reports and other reports as requested.
• Maintaining space, supplies, and equipment in a clean, safe, and orderly manner; participates in departmental performance improvement efforts.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, and techniques of recreational therapy; Therapeutic effects of exercise; Methods used to accomplish therapeutic goals through recreational programs; Scope of recreational therapy and its relationship to other health care professions; Modification techniques used to adapt activities to individual needs, community resources for recreational activities and policies and procedures established for the work unit; Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies; Applying recreational therapy techniques; Explaining and demonstrating therapeutic recreation/activities to staff, patients, primary caregivers, and other interested persons; Motivating the interest of patients to maximize activities as deemed appropriate by individual treatment plans; Assessing patient's needs; Developing treatment plans and goals; Plan, evaluate, and carry out treatment programs; Communicating in oral and written form on the patient's progress toward goals and objectives; Interpreting and apply hospital rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and protocols; Establishing positive therapeutic relationships with patients; Implementing and supervising patient work activities; Establishing and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with all hospital discipline personnel; Developing effective patient treatment modalities; Performing work at/attend meetings at alternate locations and/or travel when necessary; Able to certify to drive a 12 passenger van; Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Selective Preference(s):

Preference will be given to a candidate that have healthcare experience and/or is a certified lifeguard.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Requires certification as a Recreational Therapist by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation (NCTRC) or be sit eligible to take the certification exam with the goal of becoming a Certified Recreational Therapist (CTRS) within 6 months after hire or specific Health related field credential. (Music Therapist - Board Certified, MT-BC; Art Therapist Registered, ATR; Occupational Therapist, OTR/L; Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA/L) along with a Bachelor's degree. Note: Art Therapist Registered requires a Master's Degree.
• Must possess a valid level one fingerprint clearance card issues pursuant to A.R.S.41-1758.07 or must apply for a level one fingerprint clearance card within seven working days after beginning employment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain CPR and NVCI certification.
• Driver’s License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including: Affordable medical and dental insurance plans; Paid vacation and sick time; 10 paid holidays per year; Wellness program and plans; Life insurance; Short/long-term disability insurance; Defined retirement plan; Award winning Infant at Work program; Credit union membership; Transit subsidy; ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will make a contribution to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27 week wait period for contributions to begin.

Contact Us:

Arizona State Government is an EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.

Advertised: 19 Jun 2026 US Mountain Standard Time

Applications close:

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