Recreational Therapist

About This Role

The Recreational Therapist plans, directs, and implements activity therapy programs as a key component of patients' treatment plans. This full-time role involves working a Tuesday-Saturday shift, facilitating patient progress towards treatment goals through a variety of therapeutic activities.

Responsibilities

• Complete activity assessment through patient observation and patient/family interview, obtaining information on the patient’s needs, skills, interests, and limitations for the development and implementation of the treatment plan
• Plan, organize, direct, and implement the activities within the treatment program to facilitate patient progress with treatment goals
• Plan and implement an activities program including therapeutic leisure skills and activities, leisure education, and leisure awareness
• Facilitate and lead activity sessions to improve patient mental and physical well-being
• Instruct patients in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques designed to meet their specific needs
• Develop treatment plans and implement activity interventions that meet patient needs and interests and help the patient achieve his/her treatment goals
• Engage patients in therapeutic activities, such as exercise, games, and community outings
• Help patients learn social skills needed to become or remain independent
• Modify activities to suit the needs of specific groups
• Demonstrate a positive, empathetic, and professional attitude towards customers always
• Acknowledge and work to resolve complaints when patient needs are not met
• Recognize that patient safety is a top priority
• Perform other functions and tasks as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreational Therapy, or related field required
• Master’s degree preferred
• Three or more years’ experience in recreation in a healthcare setting with knowledge of patient population served by the facility required
• Previous experience in recreation in a healthcare setting is preferred
• Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or currently in the process of obtaining national certification; OR certified in the area of specialty (Art, Dance, Music, etc.) OR clinical professional licensure (LCPC, LPC, etc.) with certification in expressive therapy area required
• CPR and de-escalation and restraint certification required (training available upon hire and offered by facility)
• First aid may be required based on state or facility requirements

About the Company

Acadia Healthcare is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services across the United States, operating over 250 facilities with approximately 11,100 beds in 39 states and Puerto Rico. With more than 23,000 employees, it serves approximately 75,000 patients daily. Tufts Medicine and Acadia Healthcare partnered to create the Tufts Medicine Behavioral Health Hospital, a 144-bed facility in Malden, Massachusetts, which opened in February 2026 to address the growing need for high-quality behavioral health services in the region.