Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Adolescent Residential Full Time
The Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) at Confidential Client is responsible for assessing adolescent patients' needs and implementing individualized therapeutic recreation programs as part of an interdisciplinary mental health treatment team. This role involves planning and facilitating therapy groups, ensuring patient safety, contributing to treatment planning, and supporting staff training and performance improvement within a residential adolescent psychiatric setting.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Healthcare & Nursing.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
As a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) / Recreational Therapist on an adolescent residential unit, you will design and deliver therapeutic recreation and expressive-arts programming that supports clinical goals. You will work as part of an interdisciplinary treatment team to assess patient needs, create individualized treatment plans, lead skill-building and therapy groups, and support a safe, therapeutic milieu for adolescents.
Responsibilities
- Assess patient capabilities, needs, interests and goals; design individualized therapeutic recreation plans consistent with the interdisciplinary team.
- Plan and lead milieu programming, teaching, skill-building, and therapy groups for adolescent residential patients.
- Establish and maintain therapeutic relationships with assigned patients.
- Provide clinical input to treatment plans and participate in rounds/treatment planning meetings.
- Monitor and report potential safety risks to unit leaders and management.
- Participate in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and emergency psychiatric/medical responses as needed.
- Maintain accurate, timely documentation in accordance with policies and regulatory standards.
- Contribute to department quality improvement, staff training, and competency assessments.
- Assist with chart reviews, performance improvement projects, and supervision-related documentation.
- Collaborate with clinical managers on internships and department activities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy required; Master’s preferred.
- Current certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
- Minimum of three months relevant psychiatric/medical/clinical experience to perform entry-level duties; prior experience in adolescent residential or behavioral health settings is strongly preferred.
- Knowledge of therapeutic recreation, expressive arts therapies, psycho-educational interventions, and group counseling techniques.
- Strong documentation skills and ability to work collaboratively on interdisciplinary teams.
- Competence in crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety protocols.
- Ability to pass required background checks, education verification, and drug screening.
- Eligible to work in the United States; reasonable accommodations available for applicants with disabilities.
Schedule & Compensation
- Employment type: Full time
- Scheduled weekly hours: 32
- Typical shifts: First / Second shift (may include evenings)
- Base pay range: $20.75 - $31.13 per hour. Final base pay will be determined based on location, experience, education, certifications, and FTE status. This range does not include possible shift differentials, incentives, or bonuses. Your offer letter will specify whether the role is hourly or salaried.
- Note: offer contingent on successful background check, education verification, and drug screen as applicable.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, vision & life insurance plans
- 403(b) retirement match contribution by the confidential client
- Generous paid time off for full- and part-time employees
- Tuition assistance & loan forgiveness programs
- Employee Assistance Program (therapy, legal, financial, gym discounts, and more)
- Partnership discounts with local universities for employees and family members
Location & Compliance
This role is located in Grand Rapids, MI. The confidential client is committed to complying with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws where this job is posted. Reasonable accommodations are available during the application process for applicants with disabilities; contact Careertakes if you need assistance.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
Negotiate a higher salary! Check the salary ranges for this job type in your area.
View My Salary Range