Recreational Therapist l Behavioral Health

Gundersen Health System; La Crosse (WI); On-site; USD 32,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Life Insurance

HSA/FSA

401k

PTO

Professional development

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Gundersen Health System seeks a Recreational Therapist to support in Behavioral Health, working across Inpatient and EmPATH units. You will assess needs, plan activities, and deliver evidence-based interventions to promote recovery and well-being.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in Therapeutic Recreation, CTRS within 6 months, and a valid driver’s license. Starting pay is $24.36/hour with benefits and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation required.
• CTRS certification within 6 months of hire date recommended.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Assess patients' recreational, social, emotional, and leisure needs to develop individualized treatment plans.
• Plan and facilitate therapeutic recreation activities and groups for patients with behavioral health, substance use, and co-occurring diagnoses.
• Use evidence-based recreation interventions to help patients develop coping skills, resilience, social interaction, and engagement in treatment.
• Foster a safe, therapeutic environment while maintaining patient safety and promoting recovery-focused care.
• Build meaningful therapeutic relationships with patients through compassionate engagement and person-centered care.
• Experience working with Med-Psych diagnoses (substance use, withdrawal, behavioral health).

Skills

Therapeutic Recreation

CTRS

Driver's License

Healthcare experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation

Job description

Love + medicine is who we are, it's what we do, it's why people want to work here. If you’re looking for a job to love, apply today.Scheduled Weekly Hours:36Help patients rediscover joy, purpose, and connection. As a Recreational Therapist in our Behavioral Health team, you'll use therapeutic activities, creativity, and meaningful engagement to support patients on their journey toward healing and recovery. This unique role offers the opportunity to work across both our Inpatient Behavioral Health unit and newly opened EmPATH unitAt Emplify Health, we’re not just filling positions—we’re building careers. We invest in our teams so they can invest in the communities they serve. Discover how a little empathy changes everything.What's Available:.9 FTE, 72 hours per weekMonday through Friday. Hours between 7:30am - 5:30pm.Every 4th weekend and holidayWhat You'll Do:Assess patients' recreational, social, emotional, and leisure needs to develop individualized treatment plans that support recovery and overall well-being.Plan and facilitate therapeutic recreation activities and groups for patients with behavioral health, substance use, and co-occurring medical and psychiatric diagnoses.Use evidence-based recreation interventions to help patients develop coping skills, build resilience, improve social interaction, and increase engagement in treatment.Foster a safe, supportive, and therapeutic environment while maintaining patient safety and promoting recovery-focused care. Build meaningful therapeutic relationships with patients through compassionate engagement and person-centered caExperience working with patients with Med-Psych diagnoses (i.e. substance abuse and withdrawal, behavioral health) . You will work in both our inpatient behavioral health unit and our newly opened EmPATH unit. Opportunities to support outpatient behavioral health can be available as well.What You'll Need:Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic RecreationCertified Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS) within 6 months of hire dateValid Driver's License (DL)1 year previous experience in healthcareWhat You'll Get:Starting pay of $24.36/hour + more for experience!Comprehensive & Generous Benefits Package (Medical, Dental, Life Ins, HSA/FSA) ensuring your comfort and well-being as a valuable team memberSubstantial Retirement Contribution (401k & Base Contribution)Work/Life Balance: Paid Time Off (PTO) combines vacation, sick, and personal days into one balance to allow you the flexibility to use your time off as you needSupport for your career growth through Professional Development Opportunities, our Tuition Reimbursement Program, and the Career Development CenterOther benefits include a Wellness program with incentives, employer-paid life insurance and AD&D, optional short-term and long-term disability coverage, an employee assistance program, identity theft protection, pet insurance, Inspire & Celebrate colleague recognition and rewards program, a discount program, and moreEmplify Health, a partnership of Bellin Health and Gundersen Health System, is a leading not-for-profit, patient-centered healthcare network based in Green Bay and La Crosse, Wisconsin. With 11 hospitals and over 100 clinics, we serve 67 cities across Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Join us in making a meaningful difference in the lives of our patients and communities.I f you need assistance with any portion of the application or have questions about the position, please contact [e-mail] or call 608-775-0267.We inspire your best life by relentlessly caring, learning and innovating. This is our purpose. Together with our values — belonging, respect, excellence, accountability, teamwork and humility — our pillars set our foundation and our future.Equal Opportunity Employer