Recreational Therapist

Recreational Therapist

At Nexus Children's Hospital – Houston, recreation is an essential part of the healing process. Our interdisciplinary team provides specialized inpatient care for children and adolescents with complex medical, neurodevelopmental, and behavioral health needs. We are seeking a compassionate and creative Recreational Therapist to design and deliver therapeutic recreation services that promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and social well-being.

If you're passionate about improving the lives of children through meaningful therapeutic activities, we'd love to hear from you.

Position Summary

The Recreational Therapist is responsible for developing, implementing, and delivering individualized therapeutic recreation services that support each patient's treatment goals. Working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary care team, this role evaluates patient needs, creates evidence-based treatment plans, facilitates therapeutic activities, and promotes meaningful engagement that enhances recovery, independence, and quality of life.

Essential Responsibilities

• Conduct therapeutic recreation evaluations, leisure assessments, and patient interviews.
• Develop individualized treatment plans based on each patient's strengths, interests, and clinical goals.
• Provide therapeutic recreation interventions through individual and group sessions.
• Facilitate activities that promote physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioral, and social development.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with hospital policies and regulatory standards.
• Participate in interdisciplinary treatment team meetings and contribute to patient care planning.
• Provide education and recommendations to patients, families, and caregivers regarding therapeutic recreation and leisure activities.
• Collaborate with physicians, nurses, therapists, behavioral health professionals, and other members of the care team to maximize patient outcomes.
• Assist with planning special events, seasonal programming, and recreational opportunities throughout the hospital.
• Support activity programming and provide guidance to staff involved in patient recreation.
• Ensure compliance with infection prevention practices, patient safety standards, and organizational policies.
• Assist with maintaining recreational supplies, equipment, and departmental resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation from an accredited college or university.

Experience

• Minimum one (1) year of experience in therapeutic recreation preferred.
• Experience in pediatric rehabilitation, behavioral health, neurodevelopmental disorders, or inpatient rehabilitation is preferred.

Licensure & Certifications

• Current AHA Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Must maintain all required certifications and credentials in good standing.

What You'll Bring

• Passion for helping children reach their fullest potential.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organization, time management, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic healthcare environment.
• Creativity in developing engaging therapeutic recreation programs.