Recreational Therapist Cert

Why You’ll Love Working Here:

• Comprehensive Health Coverage – Medical, dental, & vision plans to keep you and your family healthy. Life Insurance is also available.

• Future Security – 401(k) with employer matching to help you build long-term financial stability.

• Educational Assistance – Tuition Reimbursement- because we invest in your future.

• Competitive Pay & Full Benefits – A salary and package designed to reward your expertise and dedication.

• Paid Time Off – Generous paid time off- giving you a good work/life balance and time to recharge.

Role: Recreational Therapist- Certified

Location: Merit Health Central- Jackson, MS

Schedule: Full Tim- Day Shift

Job Summary

The Recreational Therapist – Certified is responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic recreation programs to support the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being of patients. Through structured individual and group activities, the Recreational Therapist collaborates with interdisciplinary team members to promote recovery, independence, and an improved quality of life.

Essential Functions

• Conducts patient assessments to evaluate leisure interests, abilities, and therapeutic needs, using standardized tools and clinical judgment.

• Develops individualized treatment plans with measurable goals aligned with the patient’s medical and behavioral health care objectives.

• Implements evidence-based recreational therapy interventions, including structured group and individual sessions, leisure education, and skill-building activities.

• Monitors patient progress and revises treatment plans as needed to ensure optimal outcomes.

• Collaborates with the interdisciplinary treatment team to support discharge planning and promote continued therapeutic engagement post-discharge.

• Assists with maintaining a safe and therapeutic environment, including participation in safety rounds and inspection of patient areas for contraband in behavioral health settings.

• Documents patient assessments, treatment plans, session notes, and outcomes in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory standards.

• Educates patients and families on the value of recreation in health and wellness to support long-term recovery and community reintegration.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Maintains regular and reliable attendance.

• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in recreation healthcare related field, preferably in recreation therapy required

• 0-1 years of experience in a clinical or behavioral health setting required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong understanding of therapeutic recreation principles and interventions.

• Ability to plan and lead engaging, therapeutic activities tailored to patient needs.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with patients, families, and care teams.

• High level of empathy, patience, and clinical judgment.

• Proficient in documenting clinical services in an electronic health record system.

Licenses and Certifications

• BCLS - Basic Life Support required

• CTRS - Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist preferred or

• OT - Occupational Therapist – Registered preferredINDBH

Equal Employment Opportunity

This organization does not discriminate in any way to deprive any person of employment opportunities or otherwise adversely affect the status of any employee because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, or military or uniformed services, in accordance with all applicable governmental laws and regulations. In addition, the facility complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to: hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. If you are an applicant with a mental or physical disability who needs a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, contact the director of Human Resources at the facility to which you are seeking employment; Simply go to to obtain the main telephone number of the facility and ask for Human Resources.