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Recreational Therapy Director Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NPCRS

Certified Recreational Therapist

Ashland, CA · On-site

Reports to the Program Director/Administrator. Job Responsibilities * Plan, organize, and implement ... Collaborate with clinical staff to integrate recreational therapy into each resident ...

NPCRS

Certified Recreational Therapist

Ashland, CA · On-site

$45 - $60/hr

Reports to the Program Director/Administrator. Job Responsibilities * Plan, organize, and implement ... Collaborate with clinical staff to integrate recreational therapy into each resident ...

Achieve Behavior Alliance Plus LLC

IN · On-site

$57.15/hr

... direct care staff, caregivers, and other individuals involved in the person's care and services. · Assessing each client's needs using a standardized recreational therapy assessment and develop ...

Lifepoint Health

Recreational Therapist

Gallatin, TN · On-site

Evaluates each patient's progress and the effectiveness of recreational therapy interventions. * Formulates a goal-directed plan of care in conjunction with the multi-disciplinary treatment team ...

Achieve Behavior Alliance Plus LLC

IN · On-site

$57.15/hr

... direct care staff, caregivers, and other individuals involved in the person's care and services. · Assessing each client's needs using a standardized recreational therapy assessment and develop ...

Achieve Behavior Alliance Plus LLC

IN · On-site

$57.15/hr

... direct care staff, caregivers, and other individuals involved in the person's care and services. · Assessing each client's needs using a standardized recreational therapy assessment and develop ...

TidalHealth

Recreational Therapist

Salisbury, MD · On-site

$42K - $63K/yr

The Recreational Therapist screens patients, provides functional assessments, develops goals and modalities for patient treatment plans, and provides direct services for individuals and groups of ...

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Recreational Therapy Director information

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$36.5K

$83.9K

$182K

How much do recreational therapy director jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for recreational therapy director in the United States is $83,878.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,000.00 and $94,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectRecreational Therapy DirectorRecreational Therapist
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Recreational Therapy, certification (CTRS)Bachelor's or Master's in Recreational Therapy, certification (CTRS)
Work EnvironmentAdministrative, supervisory roles in healthcare, rehab, or senior facilitiesDirect patient care in hospitals, rehab centers, or community settings
Employer & IndustryHealthcare organizations, senior living, rehab centersHospitals, clinics, community centers
Search & ComparisonOften compared for leadership roles in recreational therapyFocuses on direct therapy delivery and patient interaction

The Recreational Therapy Director oversees recreational therapy programs, manages staff, and develops policies, while the Recreational Therapist provides direct therapy services to clients. Both roles require similar credentials, but the director focuses on administration and program management, whereas the therapist works directly with patients to improve their well-being.

How does a recreational therapy director typically collaborate with other healthcare professionals to enhance patient outcomes?

As a Recreational Therapy Director, you will frequently collaborate with a multidisciplinary team that may include physicians, nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, and other allied health professionals. This collaboration ensures that therapeutic recreation programs are integrated into each patient's overall care plan, tailored to their individual needs and goals. Regular team meetings, shared documentation, and open communication are essential to monitor progress and adjust interventions as needed. Effective teamwork not only enhances patient outcomes but also fosters a supportive work environment.

What does a recreational therapy director do?

A Recreational Therapy Director oversees the planning, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic recreational programs for individuals with physical, emotional, or developmental challenges. They manage a team of recreational therapists, develop individualized treatment plans, and ensure activities meet the needs and interests of participants. Their goal is to improve patients’ quality of life, promote rehabilitation, and foster socialization through structured leisure and recreational activities. Additionally, they coordinate with other healthcare professionals and often handle administrative duties such as budgeting and staff training.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a recreational therapy director?

To thrive as a Recreational Therapy Director, you need a background in recreational therapy, a bachelor's or master's degree in therapeutic recreation, and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credentials. Familiarity with patient assessment tools, electronic health records, and program management software is often required. Leadership, creativity, and strong interpersonal communication skills help in motivating teams and engaging diverse patient populations. These competencies ensure effective therapy program development, improved patient outcomes, and cohesive staff collaboration.
What cities are hiring for Recreational Therapy Director jobs? Cities with the most Recreational Therapy Director job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Recreational Therapy jobs? The most popular types of Recreational Therapy jobs are:
What states have the most Recreational Therapy Director jobs? States with the most job openings for Recreational Therapy Director jobs include:
Recreational Therapy Director jobs near you
Infographic showing various Recreational Therapy Director job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $83,878 per year, or $40.3 per hour.

Recreational Therapist

Sentara Healthcare

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago

Sentara Health rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 398 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

491st of 887 rated healthcare providers

Job description

City/State
Virginia Beach, VA
Work Shift
First (Days)
Overview:
Overview
The Recreational Therapist plans and implements medically prescribed recreational therapy program for patients based on their diagnosis, acuity, level of function and cognition that supports optimum patient care. Performs in-depth evaluation of patients utilizing a variety of assessment tools that identify patient's cognitive, social, emotional and motor function for leisure/recreation participation. Implements treatment programs primarily through the use of leisure education and skills, adaptive leisure equipment, and activity analysis.
Education
  • Bachelor's Level Degree (Required)

Certification/Licensure
  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) Certification (Required)
  • Basic Life Support (Required) within 90 days of hire
  • Behavioral Health- De-escalation and physical intervention training within 15 days of hire

Experience
  • 1 year Related work experience (Required)

Keywords: Recreation, therapy, behavioral, therapist, direct patient care, rehabilitation, evaluations, assessments, treatment programs, #Indeed, #Zip
Benefits: Caring For Your Family and Your Career
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Adoption, Fertility and Surrogacy Reimbursement up to 10,000
• Paid Time Off and Sick Leave
• Paid Parental & Family Caregiver Leave
• Emergency Backup Care
• Long-Term, Short-Term Disability, and Critical Illness plans
• Life Insurance
• 401k/403B with Employer Match
• Tuition Assistance - 5,250/year and discounted educational opportunities through Guild Education
• Student Debt Pay Down - 10,000
• Pet Insurance
• Legal Resources Plan
• Colleagues have the opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus if established system and employee eligibility criteria is met.
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital, located in Virginia Beach, VA, is home to the region's only Level III Trauma Center. Our 273-bed facility has a long history of commitment to our communities of Virginia Beach, Eastern Shore, and Northeastern North Carolina, offering specialized tertiary services as well as many advanced clinical services. We are located just 15 minutes from VA Beach Town Center and just a few minutes to the Oceanfront.
As a recognized accredited Primary Stroke Center, and Magnet hospital for nursing excellence, our hospital specializes in heart, vascular, neuroscience, neurosurgery, orthopedics and spine care, cancer care, advanced imaging, and behavioral health.
Sentara Health is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on the diversity and inclusiveness of its close to an almost 30,000-member workforce. Diversity, inclusion, and belonging is a guiding principle of the organization to ensure its workforce reflects the communities it serves.
In support of our mission "to improve health every day," this is a tobacco-free environment.
For positions that are available as remote work, Sentara Health employs associates in the following states:
Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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