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Recreational Therapy Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Recreational Therapist

Virginia State University, VA ยท On-site

$54K - $75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or a closely related field that meets the academic and internship requirements for national certification. โ€ข Eligibility to obtain certification as a Certified ...

New

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 ...

Recreational Therapist PRN

South Weber, UT ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

You will review assessments and other activities performed by technicians and assist in the supervision and mentoring of Recreational Therapy interns and new Recreational Therapists. * You will ...

$22.91 - $30.93/hr

Provides observation opportunities/guidance for interns, shadowing students, and prospective hires ... Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy or in Recreation with a concentration in Recreational ...

Recreational Therapist

Rochester, NY ยท On-site

$22.91 - $30.93/hr

Provides observation opportunities/guidance for interns, shadowing students, and prospective hires ... Bachelor's degree in Recreational Therapy or in Recreation with a concentration in Recreational ...

Showing results 41-60

Recreational Therapy Internship information

See salary details

$14

$35

$64

How much do recreational therapy internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for recreational therapy internship in the United States is $35.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.84 and $46.63 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a recreational therapy internship?

A Recreational Therapy Internship is a supervised, hands-on training experience for students pursuing a career in recreational therapy. Interns work alongside certified recreational therapists in settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or community organizations. During the internship, students learn to assess client needs, develop treatment plans, and lead therapeutic activities that promote physical, emotional, and social well-being. This internship is often required for graduation and is essential for gaining practical skills and meeting certification requirements.

What are some common challenges faced during a recreational therapy internship, and how can interns effectively overcome them?

During a Recreational Therapy Internship, interns often encounter challenges such as adapting therapeutic activities to diverse client needs, managing group dynamics, and balancing administrative tasks with direct client interaction. To overcome these challenges, it's helpful to seek regular feedback from supervisors, actively participate in team meetings, and stay organized with time management tools. Building strong communication skills and being open to learning from experienced therapists can also enhance your ability to address client needs effectively and contribute positively to the team.

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

To thrive as a Recreational Therapy Intern, you need foundational knowledge in therapeutic recreation, typically gained through coursework in recreational therapy or related fields and often requiring CPR/first aid certification. Familiarity with assessment tools, activity planning software, and documentation systems is common in this role. Strong interpersonal skills, creativity, and adaptability help interns build rapport with clients and tailor interventions effectively. These skills are crucial for delivering meaningful therapeutic experiences that enhance clients' physical, emotional, and social well-being.

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

AspectRecreational Therapy InternshipRecreational Therapist
CredentialsTypically enrolled in or recent graduate of a degree program in recreational therapy or related fieldLicensed or certified recreational therapist with required credentials
Work EnvironmentSupervised clinical or hospital settings, internships often part-time or temporaryFull-time employment in hospitals, rehab centers, or community settings
Employer & IndustryEducational institutions, internship programs, healthcare facilitiesHealthcare providers, rehabilitation centers, senior living facilities
PurposeGain practical experience and training in recreational therapyProvide therapeutic recreational services to clients to improve health and well-being

In summary, a Recreational Therapy Internship is a training position for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience, while a Recreational Therapist is a licensed professional providing therapeutic services. Internships serve as a stepping stone toward becoming a licensed recreational therapist.

More about Recreational Therapy Internship jobs

What cities are hiring for Recreational Therapy Internship jobs?

Cities with the most Recreational Therapy Internship 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 Internship jobs?

States with the most job openings for Recreational Therapy Internship jobs include:

Infographic showing various Recreational Therapy Internship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,740 per year, or $35.5 per hour.

Recreational Therapist - PRN

Baptist Health Care

Pensacola, FL โ€ข On-site

Other

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description


The Recreational Therapist in the Behavioral Medicine Department works with patients to provide leisure opportunities, leisure education and addresses overcoming any leisure barriers the patient may have that hinders a balanced, healthy lifestyle. The position is responsible for providing all supplies and equipment for the units related to recreational therapy and maintaining expenses within budget parameters. The Recreational Therapist works as a member of the interdisciplinary team to assure recreational therapy groups are addressing individual treatment needs of patients.
Responsibilities
  • Assesses and diagnoses patient and family needs to provide quality care to assigned patients.
  • Responsible for the planning, implementation of all recreational and leisure activities.
  • Maintains up to date and accurate documentation of clinical care provided to ensure the integration of information for use by the healthcare team, to ensure quality care. Maintains current knowledge/certification/licensure.
  • Pursues professional growth and development
  • .Assist in other duties as assigned to support the operational needs of the department and organization.
  • May be required to remain on campus immediately before, during, and after severe weather and/or disasters.
Qualifications
Minimum Education
  • Bachelor's Degree Recreation Required
  • Master's Degree Recreation Preferred
Minimum Work Experience
  • 1-3 years work experience (May consider internship experience in lieu of one year of work experience) Required
Licenses and Certifications
  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS_Certified) Upon Hire Required
  • BLS for Healthcare Providers (BLS) American Heart Association Upon Hire Required
  • CPI within 90 Days Required
  • Ukeru User Certification (UKERU_CERT) within 90 Days Required
Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
  • Knowledge of abuse reporting regulations/protocols and reports.

About Us
Baptist Health Care is a not-for-profit health care system committed to improving the quality of life for people and communities in northwest Florida and south Alabama. The organization includes three hospitals, four medical parks, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, and an extensive primary and specialty care provider network. With more than 4,000 team members, Baptist Health Care is one of the largest non-governmental employers in northwest Florida.
Baptist Health Care, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. BHC maintains and enforces a policy that prohibits discrimination against any workforce members or applicants for employment because of sex, race, age, color, disability, marital status, national origin, religion, genetic information, or other category protected by federal, state or local law. Certain positions may require a Level 2 Background check through AHCA. Additional information about this requirement can be found here: Florida Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse

Baptist Health Care logo

About Baptist Health Care

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Baptist Health Care is a not-for-profit health care system committed to improving the quality of life for people and communities in northwest Florida and south Alabama. The organization includes three hospitals, four medical parks, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine, and an extensive primary and specialty care provider network. With more than 4,000 team members, Baptist Health Care is one of the largest non-governmental employers in northwest Florida.

Industry

Health care and social assistance

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Pensacola, FL, US

Year founded

1951

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