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Recreation Therapy Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Currently seeking a Recreation Therapy Specialist in Ankeny, Iowa. This role helps to provide ... Direct care background working with individuals with disabilities and/or neurological diagnoses. An ...

Camillus is seeking a Recreation Therapy Assistant who is passionate about enriching the lives of ... Make a direct, positive impact on residents' daily lives. * Work alongside dedicated professionals ...

Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy or associated field from an accredited institution ... Communicates supply usage and needs to Director for purchase * Organizes art room, its appearance ...

SUPV - RECREATION THERAPY

Reno, NV · On-site

$56K - $80K/yr

The Recreation Therapist Supervisor is responsible for developing, planning and managing all ... and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing ...

Recreation Therapist

Schenectady, NY · On-site

$22.28 - $32.31/hr

Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy or associated field from an accredited institution ... Communicates supply usage and needs to Director for purchase * Organizes art room, its appearance ...

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Recreation Therapy Director information

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$29.5K

$71.4K

$139K

How much do recreation therapy director jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for recreation therapy director in the United States is $71,372.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,000.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectRecreation Therapy DirectorRecreation Therapist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Recreation Therapy, certification (CTRS)Bachelor's or Master's in Recreation Therapy, certification (CTRS)
Work EnvironmentAdministrative settings, overseeing programs, managing staffDirect client interaction, implementing therapy plans
Employer & IndustryHospitals, rehab centers, senior living facilitiesHospitals, community centers, mental health clinics

The Recreation Therapy Director typically holds a leadership role, managing recreation therapy programs and staff, while Recreation Therapists focus on direct client care and implementing therapy plans. Both roles require similar credentials and work in related environments, but their responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

How does a Recreation Therapy Director typically collaborate with other healthcare professionals in a clinical setting?

As a Recreation Therapy Director, collaboration with other healthcare professionals is essential for developing comprehensive care plans for patients. You will frequently work alongside physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, and social workers to assess patient needs and ensure therapeutic activities align with overall treatment goals. Regular meetings and interdisciplinary team discussions are common, allowing you to share progress updates and integrate feedback into your program designs. Effective communication and teamwork are crucial to creating a supportive environment that promotes patient well-being and recovery.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Recreation Therapy Director, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Recreation Therapy Director, you need a background in therapeutic recreation, a bachelor's degree in a related field, and often certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Familiarity with assessment tools, care planning software, and documentation systems is typically required. Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills help you motivate teams and engage diverse client populations. These skills ensure the effective delivery of therapeutic programs that improve clients' quality of life and meet regulatory standards.

What does a Recreation Therapy Director do?

A Recreation Therapy Director oversees the planning, implementation, and supervision of recreational therapy programs designed to improve the physical, emotional, and social well-being of patients or residents in healthcare facilities. They manage a team of recreation therapists, develop activity schedules, and ensure that programs meet the specific needs of individuals with various disabilities or illnesses. Additionally, they collaborate with other healthcare professionals to create personalized treatment plans and monitor patient progress, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards.
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What cities are hiring for Recreation Therapy Director jobs? Cities with the most Recreation Therapy Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Recreation Therapy jobs? The most popular types of Recreation Therapy jobs are:
What states have the most Recreation Therapy Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Recreation Therapy Director jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Recreation Therapy Director jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Recreation Therapy Director jobs are:
Infographic showing various Recreation Therapy Director job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, and 5% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $71,372 per year, or $34.3 per hour.
Recreation Therapy Director - Child & Adolescent Psych

Recreation Therapy Director - Child & Adolescent Psych

UHS

Savannah, GA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Universal Health Services rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 253 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

492nd of 890 rated healthcare providers


Job description

Responsibilities

Recreation Therapy Director Opportunity

As a Recreation Therapy Director, you will directly supervise employees on the Recreational Staff in planning, organizing, and leading the recreation programs in a child and adolescent psychiatric facility.  This is a full-time, exempt opportunity that provides full benefits.

Coastal Harbor Health System is comprised of a 114-bed hospital for children and adolescents, providing both short- and long-term inpatient care, and a 50 bed inpatient hospital serving men and women, ages 18 and up. We offer compassionate patient care to those who need it the most, serving not only local patients, but also those located across the country. Our hospitals are conveniently located in beautiful, historic Savannah, GA in a quiet setting that provides unparalleled anonymity and privacy, enabling patients to concentrate on treatment.

The Recreation Therapy Director supervises the efforts of recreation therapists and coaches while planning and implementing recreational events designed to increase social skills, athletic ability, and self-esteem.

Job Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Directly supervise recreational staff employees, including training, planning, assigning, and directing work
  • Schedule students’ recreational time on an ongoing basis, providing them with creative activities that stay within the department budget
  • Ensure that adequate scheduling coverage is provided in accordance with schedule and needs of assigned patients

Benefit Highlights:

  • 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!

About Universal Health Services

One of the nation’s largest and most respected providers of hospital and healthcare services, Universal Health Services, Inc. (UHS) has built an impressive record of achievement and performance. Growing steadily since its inception into an esteemed Fortune 500 corporation, annual revenues were $13.4 billion in 2022. During the year, UHS was again recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by Fortune; and listed in Forbes ranking of America’s Largest Public Companies. Headquartered in King of Prussia, PA, UHS has approximately 94,000 employees and continues to grow through its subsidiaries. Operating acute care hospitals, behavioral health facilities, outpatient facilities and ambulatory care access points, an insurance offering, a physician network and various related services located all over the U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. www.uhs.com


Qualifications

Recreation Therapy Director Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy
  • Two years related experience or training
  • National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential preferred; Physical Fitness Trainer Certificate or Ceramic, Arts, and Crafts Teachers Certificate also considered
  • Experience in inpatient setting preferred

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 our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skillset and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a 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 are suspicious of a job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, let us know by contacting us at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852-3449

Qualifications:

Recreation Therapy Director Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy
  • Two years related experience or training
  • National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential preferred; Physical Fitness Trainer Certificate or Ceramic, Arts, and Crafts Teachers Certificate also considered
  • Experience in inpatient setting preferred

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 our subsidiaries, our Human Resources departments and recruiters are here to help prospective candidates by matching skillset and experience with the best possible career path at UHS and our subsidiaries. We take pride in creating a 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 are suspicious of a job posting or job-related email mentioning UHS or its subsidiaries, let us know by contacting us at: https://uhs.alertline.com or 1-800-852-3449

Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

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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