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Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AbilityFirst

Recreation Therapy Intern

Pasadena, CA · On-site

$20 - $23/hr

Recreation Therapy Intern REPORTS TO : Designated Coordinator & Internship Supervisor SCHEDULE ... Work is performed in a recreational facility serving individuals with disabilities. * Frequent ...

City of San Ramon

Recreation Therapy Intern

San Ramon, CA

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

... Recreational Therapy Interns who are prepared to complete 600 hours of internship work. This internship opportunity is nonpaid. The Intern Program Under supervision of National and State certified ...

City of San Ramon, CA

Recreation Therapy Intern

San Ramon, CA · On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

... Recreational Therapy Interns who are prepared to complete 600 hours of internship work. This internship opportunity is nonpaid. The Intern Program Under supervision of National and State certified ...

UHS

Recreation Therapy Intern - Spring 2026

Savannah, GA · On-site

$14 - $18.25/hr

Responsibilities Recreation Therapy Intern Opportunity Coastal Harbor Health System is comprised of a 145-bed hospital for children and adolescents, providing both short- and long-term inpatient care ...

UHS

Recreation Therapy Intern - Spring 2026

Savannah, GA

$14 - $18.25/hr

Responsibilities Recreation Therapy Intern Opportunity Coastal Harbor Health System is comprised of a 145-bed hospital for children and adolescents, providing both short- and long-term inpatient care ...

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Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern information

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How much do entry level recreational therapy intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level recreational therapy intern in the United States is $16.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern?

An Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern is a student or recent graduate gaining practical experience under supervision in the field of recreational therapy. Their responsibilities often include assisting with planning and leading therapeutic activities, supporting patient documentation, and learning how to assess and meet the needs of clients with physical, emotional, or developmental challenges. This internship helps students apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings, develop professional skills, and prepare for certification or licensure as a recreational therapist.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern, you need foundational knowledge in therapeutic recreation, basic patient care, and typically a background in psychology, health sciences, or related coursework. Familiarity with activity planning, assessment tools, and documentation systems such as electronic medical records is often expected. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and adaptability help interns connect with diverse clients and contribute to supportive team environments. These skills are essential for delivering effective and engaging therapy interventions that improve client well-being and support clinical goals.

What is the difference between Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern vs Entry Level Recreational Therapist?

AspectEntry Level Recreational Therapy InternEntry Level Recreational Therapist
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed relevant degree; may require internship approvalRequires certification or licensure as a recreational therapist
Work EnvironmentSupervised clinical or community settings, often as part of trainingIndependent or team-based therapeutic settings, providing direct patient care
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, rehab centers, community programs, often as a traineeHealthcare facilities, rehabilitation centers, schools, providing therapy services

In summary, an Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern is a trainee gaining practical experience under supervision, often during or after their studies. An Entry Level Recreational Therapist has completed necessary certifications and provides direct therapeutic services to clients. The internship serves as a stepping stone toward becoming a licensed recreational therapist.

What are some typical daily responsibilities for an Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern?

As an Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern, you can expect to assist with planning and leading therapeutic activities such as arts and crafts, music, games, and group outings tailored to clients' needs. You'll observe and help document clients' responses, assist with setting up equipment or materials, and support licensed therapists in executing treatment plans. Collaboration is a regular part of the role, as you'll work closely with other interns, therapists, and sometimes family members to ensure a positive and supportive environment for clients. These experiences provide valuable exposure to the day-to-day operations of recreational therapy settings.
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What cities are hiring for Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Recreational Therapy Intern jobs? The most popular types of Recreational Therapy Intern jobs are:
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Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Recreational Therapy Intern job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,721 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Recreation Therapy Intern

Department of State Hospitals - Patton

Patton, CA • On-site

$3.1K - $4.2K/mo

Internship

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Patton State Hospital, Human Resources Department is accepting applications for Temporary (16 weeks), Intermittent appointments to the Student Assistant-Recreation Therapy Intern classification. The Student Assistant/Recreation Therapy Intern is supervised by a NCTRC certified Recreation Therapist and works under the administrative supervision of the Program Assistant and is under the general lead and clinical direction of the Recreation Therapy Intern Coordinators and the Chief of Rehabilitation Therapy Services.
The successful candidate must be academically eligible for a Recreation Therapy internship based upon their university and National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification standards.
Candidates should possess and demonstrate the basic knowledge of the principles, procedures, techniques, trends, and literature of Recreation Therapy services, basic knowledge of the process of restoration, maintenance and development of capabilities, basic knowledge of the principles of mental health education, the scope and activities of private and public health and welfare agencies, characteristics of mental, emotional, physical, and developmental disorders, current trends in mental health, public health and public welfare, federal and state programs in these fields. Have ability to utilize and effectively apply required knowledge, establish and maintain the confidence and cooperation of persons contacted in the workplace, ability to secure accurate clinical data and record such data systematically, compose clear, accurate and concise reports, interpret statistical data, analyze situations accurately and take effective action, ability to communicate effectively.
A dditional Information : The classification is a temporary TAU appointment, and the Student Assistant may not work more than 1500 hours in a 12 consecutive month period. No health, dental, or vision benefits are provided for persons in this classification.
All interested candidates that meet the recruitment criteria should submit Form STD 678 Employment application to the Human Resources -Employment Unit no later than the final filing dates listed above.
One applicant will be selected for each term: (Please note the various cutoff dates)
(1) for the Fall Internship with a Final filing date of May 13, 2026
(1) for the Winter Internship with a Final filing date of August 1, 2026
Unless there is a specific request to be notified via USPS mail, our main contact will be via email. Email correspondence regarding this job posting will primarily come from PattonHREmploymentUnit@dsh.ca.gov . It is the applicant's responsibility to check their email inbox, including junk/spam emails for any correspondence regarding their application status. In addition, applicants are encouraged to keep their CalCareers profile updated with a current telephone number, mailing address, and email.
**Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey: DSH Recruitment Survey
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
Patton is a forensic psychiatric hospital and was established in 1890 and opened in 1893. DSH-Patton provides treatment to forensically and civilly committed patients within a secure treatment area. The hospital does not accept voluntary admissions.
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • STUDENT ASSISTANT
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-516493
Position #(s):
502-211-4870-XXX
Working Title:
Recreation Therapy Intern
Classification:
STUDENT ASSISTANT $3,167.00 - $3,480.00 A Hourly Salary range $18.27 - $24.62
$3,389.00 - $3,724.00 B Hourly Salary range $18.27 - $24.62
$3,878.00 - $4,268.00 D Hourly Salary range $18.27 - $24.62
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
San Bernardino County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Student Assistant
Department Information
Department of State Hospitals - Patton
3102 E Highland Avenue
Patton, CA 92369
http://www.dsh.ca.gov
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Patton
Special Requirements
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
  • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.

For experience/education to qualify during the application screening process, and to ensure that minimum qualifications can be determined, applicants should include all employment history on the Examination/ Employment Application (STD. 678) including detailed job descriptions, hours worked per week , and start/end dates (MM/DD/YYY). Application packages without this information will experience delayed processing times and your eligibility for this position may be impacted.
A completed STD. 678 and any other relevant documents (e.g., unofficial transcript, copy of degree, resume, etc.) should be submitted electronically via your CalCareers account. Please reference Job Control # 516493 and indicate the basis of your eligibility in the Examination(s) or Job Title(s) section. SROA and surplus candidates should submit a copy of their letter with their application. Please remove any confidential information (i.e., social security number, date of birth) from your documents prior to submission.
Complete Application Packages (including your STD. 678 and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareers account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov . Submitting an electronic application through your CalCareers account is strongly recommended since electronic applications will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing. Please submit only one application.
Application Instructions
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: Until Filled
Who May Apply
This is a non-testing classification, therefore anyone meeting the minimum qualifications listed on the classification specification may apply for this position. Individuals who are, or have been, a dependent child in foster care, a homeless youth, or a formerly incarcerated youth as defined by Government Code section 18220 are encouraged to apply and will be given priority. If you are applying under this eligibility status, please note on your application your eligibility by stating "preference under Government Code section 18220". Please note that prior to appointment, individuals claiming preference under one of these categories will be required to furnish documentation establishing their eligibility.
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Department of State Hospitals
Department of State Hospitals - Patton
Attn: HR-Employment Unit
3102 East Highland Avenue
Patton , CA 92369
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Department of State Hospitals
Department of State Hospitals - Patton
Human Resources - Employment Unit
3102 East Highland Avenue
Patton , CA 92369
HR is closed on weekends and holidays
07:00 AM - 04:30 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Benefits
Please review the Benefits Summary that may also be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website. You will find information on the benefits afforded by membership in the Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS), benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act, and salary ranges and a summary of the Student Assistant classification.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Department Website: https://www.dsh.ca.gov/Patton
Human Resources Contact:
HR Employment Unit
(909) 742-5551
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Rachel Guerrero
(909) 742-5243
Rachel.Guerrero@dsh.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

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