Recreational Therapist

• Area of Interest: Therapy

• FTE/Hours per pay period: 0.6

• Department: General Behavioral/2E

• Shift: Weekend Package - Friday, Saturday, Sunday 8:00am to 4:30PM - 50 out of 52 weekends

• Job ID: 187036

Overview

As a Recreational Therapist, you will make a meaningful impact by helping patients build skills, confidence, and independence through engaging, evidence-based therapeutic recreation services. Working with diverse inpatient and outpatient populations, you will assess individual needs, develop personalized treatment plans, and lead activities that promote coping, wellness, leisure participation, and community reintegration. In collaboration with an interdisciplinary care team, you will support patients and families while delivering compassionate, person-centered care that enhances recovery and quality of life.

Why UnityPoint Health?

At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in.   Here are just a few:    

• Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program .

• Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.

• Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family .

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.  

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience.

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health.

Responsibilities

• Provide holistic evaluations, treatment, and discharge planning across diverse populations.

• Delivering both group and individual interventions using sound clinical judgment, integrating leisure education, coping skills, stress management, and wellness strategies to support recovery and functional improvement.

• Design and implement the Activity Therapy Program, including daily scheduling, group facilitation, and special events .

• Coordinate recreation-based services, utilize community resources, manage supplies and volunteers, complete timely EMR documentation, and contribute to program improvement and performance initiatives.

• Partner with multidisciplinary teams through care conferences and treatment planning while maintaining clear communication and professional objectivity .

• Support staff education, supervise students or activity assistants as needed, participate in in-services, and uphold ethical, compliant practice while promoting teamwork and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy/ Therapeutic Recreation or a closely related field (e.g., Leisure Studies) required .

Experience:

• One (1) year of prior experience in recreational or activity therapy, including behavioral health or hospital settings preferred.

• One (1) year experience appropriate to the age of the patients served in the assigned service area preferred.

• One (1) year working with adult psychiatric patients preferred.

License(s)/Certification(s):

• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist through the National Counsil for Therapeutic Recreation Certification required within one year of hire.

• Basic Life Support required within 90 days of hire.

• Certified Park and Recreation Professional through the National Park Recreation Association preferred.

• IA Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required within 90 days of hire.

• I L Child Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required within 90 days of hire.

• IA Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required within 90 days of hire.

• I L Adult Dependent Abuse Mandatory Reporter Training in state(s) where providing care required within 90 days of hire.