Recreation Therapist

Req #: 0000266153 | Category: Behavioral and Mental Health | Status: Full-Time | Shift: Day | Facility: Childrens Specialized Hosp | Department: Camps | Location: 150 New Providence Rd, Mountainside, NJ 07092

About the role

At Children's Specialized Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, Recreation Therapists become part of a collaborative, family-centered environment where compassion, innovation, and community engagement come together to help children with special healthcare needs build confidence, independence, and meaningful social connections. This Recreation Therapist role offers opportunities to develop and lead innovative adapted recreation programs that promote physical, emotional, social, and developmental well-being for children and adolescents across community settings. As a Recreation Therapist, you will collaborate with the Manager of Community Programs to coordinate and facilitate therapeutic recreation opportunities while partnering with families, volunteers, community organizations, and the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation to expand access to inclusive programming. Joining Children's Specialized Hospital means becoming part of a team dedicated to enriching the lives of children through recreation while empowering every Recreation Therapist to make a lasting impact in the communities we serve.

Responsibilities

• Collaborating with the Manager of Community Programs to coordinate and facilitate adapted recreation programs for children and adolescents with special healthcare needs.
• Planning, organizing, and leading therapeutic recreation programs, including aquatics, martial arts, camps, evening recreation activities, and other community-based programs.
• Adapting activities, equipment, and environments to meet the individual abilities and needs of participants with a variety of physical, developmental, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities.
• Preparing program materials, equipment, and activity spaces to ensure safe, engaging, and successful program delivery.
• Assisting with participant registration, scheduling, attendance tracking, and program logistics to support efficient operations.
• Recruiting, coordinating, training, and providing direction to volunteers and student interns participating in community recreation programs.
• Collaborating with the Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation to identify, secure, and support grant funding opportunities that enhance community recreation services.
• Serving as a liaison with families, schools, healthcare providers, and community organizations to assess community needs and identify opportunities for new or expanded adapted recreation programs.
• Promoting participant safety by maintaining compliance with hospital policies, regulatory requirements, and established therapeutic recreation standards.
• Participating in program evaluation, quality improvement initiatives, and department projects that support organizational goals and the mission of Children's Specialized Hospital.
• Completing accurate and timely documentation, reports, and program records while maintaining effective communication with team members and community partners.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree in Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, or Recreational Therapy from an accredited program with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation.

Certification: Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) and Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) are required. Water Safety Instructor (WSI) or Aquatics Instructor Certification is preferred.

Licensure: Valid New Jersey Driver's License required.

Experience: Completion of a pediatric clinical affiliation or previous experience working with pediatric populations is required. Experience developing and facilitating adapted recreation programs for children with disabilities is preferred.

Skills

• Demonstrated ability to adapt activities for individuals with a variety of disabling conditions
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications
• Excellent interpersonal and time management skills
• Strong initiative
• Sound judgment
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with families, volunteers, and community partners
• Fluency in