Recreational Therapist

Primary Location

Department

Shift

Schedule

Weekly Hours

FTE

Employee Status

*Expected Starting Pay Range

*Starting pay is based on experience, skills, and equity; exceptions may apply for highly qualified candidates. Additional pay (e.g., shift, on‑call, or weekend differentials) and benefits may apply. Annual pay may vary based on FTE status.

Recreational Therapist

About the Job:

This Recreational Therapist will serve the Burnet Campus

Location: Burnet Campus, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229

Status: Full-time, 40 hours per week, 1.0 FTE

Schedule: Day shift. Work hours will be (8:00 am to 4:30 pm with some days being 10:00 am to 6:30 pm).

Benefits eligible and 30 days of paid time off accrued per year. Unused PTO rolls over.

Pay starts at $53,705.60 annually (as a salaried/exempt employee) and can increase based on years of experience.

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field
• Certified through the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation
• Valid Driver's License

Job Expectations and Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary treatment team to assess patient needs and develop individualized therapeutic recreation interventions that support overall treatment goals.
• Facilitate therapeutic recreation activities designed to improve or restore social, cognitive, physical, emotional, and leisure functioning.
• Utilize evidence-based therapeutic leisure interventions to promote self-expression, self-esteem, independence, and healthy coping skills.
• Provide person-centered care. Effectively engage patients with varying levels of cognitive, physical, emotional, and social functioning.
• Lead and facilitate both individual and group therapeutic recreation sessions in a safe, therapeutic, and engaging environment.
• Assess patient progress, document interventions and outcomes, and modify treatment plans as appropriate to meet changing needs.
• Encourage community engagement and social participation through structured outings and community reintegration experiences when clinically appropriate.
• Educate patients and families regarding the benefits of therapeutic recreation and the role of leisure.
• Maintain compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, professional standards of practice, and CTRS certification requirements.
• Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings, treatment planning conferences, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Demonstrate strong communication, organizational, and clinical skills while promoting a safe and supportive therapeutic environment.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and comprehensive clinical documentation.

More about Child Life:

The Division of Child Life and Integrative Care at Cincinnati Children’s is committed to the practice of family-centered care by promoting play, education, developmental and psychosocial support. We are an integral part of the health care team who can support the child’s outpatient visit and inpatient stay. Child Life Specialists can minimize stress and maximize coping of patients and families.

At Cincinnati Children’s, we come to work with one goal: to make children’s health better. We believe in a holistic team approach, both in caring for patients and their families, and in advancing science and discovery. We strive to do better and find energy and inspiration in our shared purpose. If you want to be the best you can be, you can do it at Cincinnati Children’s. 

 Cincinnati Children's is: 

• Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a top 10  best Children's Hospitals in the nation for more than 15 years 

• Consistently among the top 3 Children's Hospitals for National Institutes of Health (NIH) Funding 

• Recognized as one of America’s Best Large Employers  (2025), America’s Best Employers for New Grads (2025) 

• One of the nation's America’s Most Innovative Companies as noted by Fortune 

• Consistently certified as great place to work 

• A Leading Disability Employer as noted by the National Organization on Disability 

• Magnet® designated for the fourth consecutive time by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) 

 We Embrace Innovation—Together.  We believe in empowering our teams with the tools that help us work smarter and care better. That’s why we support the responsible use of artificial intelligence. By encouraging innovation, we’re creating space for new ideas, better outcomes, and a stronger future—for all of us. 

Comprehensive job description provided upon request.

Cincinnati Children’s is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an environment of dignity and respect for all our employees, patients, and families. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, genetic information, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or protected veteran status. EEO/Veteran/Disability