Recreational Therapist II

UNC Health; Butner (NC); On-site; USD 30,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health in Butner, NC seeks a Recreational Therapist II to deliver advanced therapy, supervise student learners, and support program development. The role emphasizes trauma‑informed care, collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, and ongoing professional education.

The position is full time, onsite, with a 40‑hour workweek and a pay range of $21.62 to $31.07 per hour, with offers based on experience and equity. Located at UNC Health facilities in Butner, NC 27509.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Therapeutic Recreation with internship experience.
• Licensed as a Recreational Therapist by NC Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure.
• CTRS certification by NCTRC preferred; five years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Complete documentation and manage daily caseload per guidelines.
• Administer evaluations and develop care plans to achieve patient goals.
• Develop and evaluate specialized programs; coordinate care with team.
• Provide clinical education, precepting, mentoring, and competency checks.
• Engage in community outreach and present at conferences as needed.
• Guide staff and onboard new personnel; ensure orientation accuracy.
• Demonstrate leadership and advocate for quality service delivery.

Skills

Advanced clinical skills

Interprofessional communication

Patient safety and mobilization

Education

Bachelor's in Therapeutic Recreation

NC Recreational Therapist licensure

CTRS certification

Job description

Job Description

Description

Your passion belongs at UNC Health. Join more than 56,000 teammates working together to improve the health and well-being of the communities we serve across North Carolina.

Recreational Therapist II needed for UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH), in Butner, North Carolina.

Become part of an inclusive organization with over 40,000 teammates, whose mission is to improve the health and well‑being of the unique communities we serve. UNC Health Youth Behavioral Health (YBH) in Butner, North Carolina, is seeking a passionate and team‑oriented Recreational Therapist II to support our patients and their families. YBH is a state‑of‑the‑art, 54‑bed psychiatric facility providing 24‑hour care for children and adolescents facing mental health challenges, dual diagnoses, substance misuse, and complex behaviors. Our philosophy emphasizes a trauma‑informed, therapeutic environment designed to foster safety, positive coping skills, and healthy living.

We are seeking a Recreational Therapist II with child and adolescent mental health experience who is dynamic, independent, and team oriented. The Recreational Therapist shall perform a full range of services including recreational therapy evaluation and treatment to patient populations and maintains ongoing program development/evaluation under the supervision of the recreational therapy supervisor. The Recreational Therapist will participate in a variety of professional growth activities and mentorship intended to develop and improve patient care delivery and departmental performance. Additionally, the Recreational Therapist will be encouraged to serve as a clinical educator for recreational therapy students.

Summary: The Recreational Therapist II provides advanced evidence‑based evaluation, treatment interventions, and educational instruction to patients and caregivers. The clinician provides student shadowing, clinical instruction, ongoing program development, new employee training, and participates in departmental and community continuing education and outreach.

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday or Sunday - Thursday with occasional holiday coverage

Responsibilities: 1. Completes recreational therapy documentation per team guidelines. Manages daily caseload with efficiency and efficacy. Meets productivity standards per team guidelines. 2. Administers standard and specialized evaluations, therapeutic procedures and interpretation to assist in establishing a plan of care and manages resources to accomplish patient goals; Identifies expected patient outcomes; Communicates relevant information to promote continuity of care with the patient, family/caregiver, and treatment team. Implements individualized patient treatment plans by developing and facilitating individual and/or group interventions. Reassesses and re‑evaluates patient progress towards goals, and modifies treatment goals/plans as necessary. 3. Develops, coordinates, and evaluates specialized programs for specific clinical service areas; engages in research and quality improvement initiatives for the clinical service team and department. Serves as an interdisciplinary liaison. 4. Provides clinical education, clinical precepting and mentoring of students, and other disciplines; participates in competency verification and evaluates the learner’s performance. Develops best practices and goals in compliance with departmental and organizational standards. 5. Serves as resource to North Carolina government departments and statewide health professionals in specialty areas; Presents at local (university/hospital) or state level conferences; Participates in community outreach screening and educational events and career promotion efforts. 6. Guide assistive personnel and delegates responsibilities as per licensing board guidelines. Assists with onboarding of new staff by completing clinical orientation and competency verification. 7. Demonstrates leadership attributes, advocates for the profession and facilitates change, contributes to the professional development of others, promotes initiatives, and exemplifies quality service provision.

Other Information

Other information: Education Requirements: Bachelor’s with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy, which includes an internship.

Licensure/Certification Requirements: Licensed as a Recreational Therapist by the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure (NCBRTL). Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).

Professional Experience Requirements: Five (5) years of recreational therapy experience including one (1) year in the specialty field of work to which assigned.

Prefer applicants with experience in hospital based mental health therapy services and experience with children/adolescent mental health

Knowledge/Skills/and Abilities Requirements: Advanced Clinical Skills as evidenced by specialty certifications, additional training and/or expertise in a given clinical specialty. Exhibits effective communication and interprofessional skills; requires physical stamina and repetitive movements, including, but not limited to, sitting, standing, kneeling, walking, and squatting during patient interventions while supporting one's weight; can engage in high‑level problem‑solving to ensure patient safety during mobilization.

Job Details

Legal Employer: STATE

Entity: UNC Medical Center

Organization Unit: UNCH YBH Recreational Therapy

Work Type: Full Time

Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00

Salary Range: $21.62 - $31.07 per hour (Hiring Range)

Pay offers are determined by experience and internal equity

Work Assignment Type: Onsite

Work Schedule: Day Job

Location of Job: Butner:NC:27509

Exempt From Overtime: Exempt: No

This is a State position employed by UNC Health Care System with UNC Health benefits. If, however, you are presently an employee of another North Carolina agency and currently participate in TSERS or the ORP, you will be eligible to continue participating in those plans at UNC Health.

Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran or political affiliation.

UNC Health makes reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as applicants and employees with disabilities.