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Recreation Therapy Aide Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

Mental Health Tech ( 2:45pm-11:15pm)

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

Work closely with education, recreation therapy, BCBA, RBT * Assist the teacher in teacher in the classroom as an instructional Aide. * Must be able to work every other weekend * Must be able to pass ...

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Recreation Therapy Aide information

See Decatur, GA salary details

$11

$16

$35

How much do recreation therapy aide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for recreation therapy aide in Decatur, GA is $16.69, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.37 and $17.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recreation therapy aide?

Recreation Therapy Aides are supportive healthcare professionals who assist recreational therapists in planning and implementing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, emotional, or mental disabilities. They help organize and lead activities such as games, arts and crafts, and outings designed to improve clients' well-being and social skills. Recreation Therapy Aides also help monitor patients' progress, set up equipment, and ensure a safe and engaging environment. Their work is essential in rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, hospitals, and other care settings.

What are some common challenges recreation therapy aides face when supporting diverse patient needs?

Recreation Therapy Aides often work with individuals of varying ages, abilities, and backgrounds, which can present challenges in adapting activities to meet each person's unique needs. Balancing group dynamics while ensuring everyone is engaged and included requires creativity and flexibility. Additionally, aides must collaborate closely with therapists, nurses, and family members to monitor progress and adjust interventions, making strong communication skills essential. Overcoming these challenges can be highly rewarding, as it directly impacts participants' quality of life and well-being.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recreation therapy aide, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recreation Therapy Aide, you need a background in therapeutic recreation, basic healthcare knowledge, and often a high school diploma or relevant certification. Familiarity with activity planning software, adaptive equipment, and documentation systems is valuable in this role. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and patience help build rapport with clients and adapt activities to diverse abilities. These competencies are crucial for delivering safe, engaging, and effective therapeutic programs that enhance clients’ well-being.

What is the difference between Recreation Therapy Aide vs Recreation Therapist?

AspectRecreation Therapy AideRecreation Therapist
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingBachelor's degree in recreation therapy or related field; certification often required
Work EnvironmentAssists in recreational activities under supervision, often in healthcare or senior living settingsDevelops and implements therapy plans, working independently with clients in healthcare, rehab, or community settings
Employer & Industry UsageHospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, senior living facilitiesHospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, community health organizations

The main difference is that Recreation Therapy Aides assist with activities under supervision, while Recreation Therapists design and lead therapy programs independently. Aides typically require less formal education, whereas Therapists need specialized degrees and certifications. Both roles work in similar environments, but Therapists have a broader scope of practice and responsibility.

What are the career paths for recreation therapy aides?

Recreation therapy aides can advance to roles such as recreation therapists, activity coordinators, or program managers with additional education and certification. Gaining experience and pursuing certifications like Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) can open opportunities for higher-level positions in healthcare, rehabilitation, or community settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Recreation Therapy jobs in Decatur, GA?

The most popular types of Recreation Therapy jobs in Decatur, GA are:

What cities near Decatur, GA are hiring for Recreation Therapy Aide jobs?

Cities near Decatur, GA with the most Recreation Therapy Aide job openings:

Infographic showing various Recreation Therapy Aide job openings in Decatur, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 13% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,710 per year, or $16.7 per hour.

Mental Health Tech ( 2:45pm-11:15pm)

UHS

Atlanta, GA • On-site

$15.50 - $21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago


Universal Health Services rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 254 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

456th of 888 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Responsibilities
Laurel Heights Hospital is a 116-bed facility located in Atlanta Ga . We provide youth with compassionate mental health treatment that encourages self-responsibility and personal growth. We provide psychiatric treatment to children and adolescents that present with a broad range of psychiatric, behavioral disorders and autism . A clinically skilled multidisciplinary team works to partner with the youth and family to accomplish their goals in a supportive and therapeutic environment.
Our Mental Health Aide ( M HA) provides direct patient care under the supervision of clinical team, facilitating a therapeutic and safe milieu by appropriate interaction with clients and ensuring the proper level of resident supervision is maintained.
Applicants must be able to:
  • Passionate about helping children with autism
  • Work every other weekend
  • Provide guidance and assistance to individuals in their personal hygiene and appearance in the areas of toothbrushing, bathing, toileting, haircare and selection of clothing and dressing appropriately for weather conditions.
  • Be attentive to individual's medical issues and alert supervisors and/or changes in individual's health and/or problems relating to medication or medical equipment.
  • Patient, Compassionate, and able to work well in a team
  • Carry out Safety, Meal preparation and cleaning procedures.
  • Provide help getting out of bed
  • Ability to move in various positions (sit, Squad, bend, etc.)
  • Ability to lift /carry up to 50 pounds
  • Maintaining all patient health data and records
  • Maintaining a safe and therapeutic milieu including crisis intervention
  • Guide and assist individuals in learning activities of daily living skills (ADLs) both in home and in the community .
  • Performing Q15 observation rounds while working within the ethical boundaries of the field.
  • Work closely with education, recreation therapy, BCBA, RBT
  • Assist the teacher in teacher in the classroom as an instructional Aide.

  • Must be able to work every other weekend
  • Must be able to pass a drug test within 24hrs
  • Must be able to work any units assigned by manager based on needs of the facility.

Benefits for this position include:
  • Challenging and rewarding work environment
  • Competitive Compensation & Generous Paid Time Off
  • Excellent Medical, Dental, Vision and Prescription Drug Plans
  • 401(K) with company match and discounted stock plan
  • SoFi Student Loan Refinancing Program
  • Career development opportunities within UHS and its 300+ Subsidiaries!

One of the nation's largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues were $11.6 billion in 2020. In 2021, UHS was again recognized as one of the World's Most Admired Companies by Fortune; in 2020, ranked #281 on the Fortune 500; and listed #330 in Forbes ranking of U.S.' Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has 89,000 employees and through its subsidiaries operates 26 acute care hospitals, 334 behavioral health facilities, 39 outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located in 38 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom.
Qualifications
Education: High school diploma/GED required. BA or BS Degree in a related mental health field is preferred.
Experience: Previous experience working with behavioral health patients, children, adolescents, and/or special needs population strongly preferred . One (1) year experience in a mental health setting is also preferred.
Licensure/Certification: Successful completion of CPR certification, age-specific training and the current patient aggression management training within 90 days of employment.
EEO Statement
All UHS subsidiaries are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and teammates. UHS subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers and as such, openly support and fully commit to recruitment, selection, placement, promotion and compensation of individuals without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), genetic information, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
We believe that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success.
Notice
At UHS and all subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates with matching skillset and experience with the best possible career at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating highly efficient and best in class candidate experience. During the recruitment process, no recruiter or employee will request financial or personal information (Social Security Number, credit card or bank information, etc.) from you via email. The recruiters will not email you from a public webmail client like Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo Mail etc. If you feel suspicious of a job posting or job-related email, let us know by contacting us at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852-3449

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About Universal Health Services

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Universal Health Services (UHS) is a major player in the healthcare industry, based in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Founded in 1978, UHS offers hospital and healthcare services. Their diverse services range from acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities and ambulatory centers nationwide. The company's mission of enhancing the health and well-being of their patients is reflected in their commitment to 'Helping Individuals Live Longer, Healthier and Happier Lives'. Universal Health Services' consistent growth and success in their industry have been recognized on numerous occasions, including being ranked amongst the Fortune 500 list of largest companies.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

King of Prussia, PA, US