Behavioral Health Recreational Therapist

About the role

Department: Behavioral Health Unit. Shifts Available: Days. Employment Type: Part-time. Hours: 8‑hour shifts. Location: St. Joseph Medical Center, Kansas City, MO. Join our Behavioral Health team as a Recreational Therapist and make a meaningful impact on patients' mental health recovery. In this role, you will provide therapeutic recreation, group therapy, leisure counseling, activity therapy, and behavioral health interventions designed to improve emotional wellness, coping skills, social functioning, and overall quality of life for patients receiving inpatient psychiatric care.

Responsibilities

• Conduct recreational therapy assessments and develop individualized treatment plans.
• Facilitate group therapy sessions, therapeutic activities, leisure education, stress management, and the development of coping skills.
• Support patients with mental health disorders, psychiatric conditions, substance use disorders, crisis stabilization, and recovery programs.
• Monitor patient progress and document treatment interventions in the electronic medical record.
• Collaborate with psychiatrists, nurses, social workers, case managers, and the interdisciplinary treatment team.
• Promote patient engagement, socialization, emotional regulation, and wellness through evidence‑based therapeutic recreation activities.
• Maintain a safe, therapeutic environment while utilizing de‑escalation and crisis intervention techniques.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Recreation Therapy, Art Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, or a related field.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in Behavioral Healthcare, rehabilitative, or SNF setting preferred.