Therapeutic Recreation Therapist

Application deadline: 2026-08-31

About the role

This position is responsible for performing care coordination, including assessment and development of individualized treatment plans and monitoring for residents by identifying psychosocial, mental, and emotional needs. It involves providing, developing, and/or aiding in the access of services to meet those needs, with a potential disciplinary focus toward traumatic brain injury or disability populations.

Schedule

Monday – Thursday 8:00am–4:30pm, every other Saturday 8am–12pm. On the Friday before the Saturday worked, hours are 8am–12pm; on the Fridays before the Saturday off, hours are 8am–4:30pm.

Pay

Starting wage: $31.19/hr.

Benefits

• Paid Time Off (PTO) – available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contributions
• Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, Short-term disability, and Flexible Spending Account
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) – an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and facilitate therapeutic recreation programming designed to support cognitive, physical, emotional, behavioral, and social rehabilitation goals with a person-centered approach to care.
• Plan and prepare individual and group therapeutic recreation interventions that promote self-advocacy, independence, community integration, leisure skill development, coping strategies, and quality of life, including transportation and/or coordinating equipment and supplies.
• Assist residents in developing and maintaining daily living, communication, interpersonal, and community engagement skills through structured therapeutic activities and outings.
• Provide training to staff for execution of programming as needed.
• Participate in the development of a written, interdisciplinary plan of care/individual program plans for each resident that identifies their needs/issues, the goals to be accomplished, and the appropriate interventions.
• Coordinate and monitor each individual’s active treatment and implementation.
• Provide supportive counseling interventions to assist residents in coping with their transition and adjustment to a long-term care facility, including their social, emotional, and psychological needs.
• Provide support, counseling, and education to residents/family members to assist in their understanding of placement and facility issues, and refer them to appropriate social service agencies when needed.
• Coordinate, facilitate, and complete documentation for annual reviews, admission, and discharge summaries, and prepare monthly progress summaries reviewing the resident’s care needs, condition, level of functioning, and progress.
• Monitor resident participation, mood, behaviors, and safety during activities and interventions, adapting programming as needed to meet individual abilities, risks, and therapeutic needs.
• Participate in the resident discharge planning process and referrals for different placement or a return to the community.
• Develop, maintain, and utilize a listing of relevant current community resources for residents and their families/significant others.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary team and administration to coordinate care, support resident-centered rehabilitation goals, and promote and protect resident rights and well-being.
• Provide consultation to staff regarding treatment approaches, in collaboration with the interdisciplinary team and medical and/or psychiatric services.
• Participate in the development of policies and procedures necessary for continuation of care.
• Communicate with medical providers to meet the individual needs of residents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Recreation Therapy/Activity Therapy program assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Ability to safely facilitate recreational activities, community outings, and therapeutic interventions in a residential facility.
• Knowledge of social, economic, and health problems of basic human behavior and of available assistance and rehabilitative services and techniques.
• Knowledge of human service needs assessment methodologies.
• Knowledge of legal requirements including privacy, resident rights, confidentiality, and non-discrimination.
• Knowledge of goals, principles, and practices of human service programs, program administration, and program goals and their intended impacts.
• Knowledge of the County and Department’s operating requirements, policies, procedures, and practices; and local, State, and Federal regulations related to department programs and operations.
• Skill in analyzing complex administrative information and issues, defining problems, and evaluating alternatives and recommending methods, procedures, and techniques for resolution.
• Ability to research and analyze detailed information and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to develop, interpret, and implement regulations, policies, procedures, written instructions, general correspondence, and other department-specific documents.
• Ability to adapt and take control of situations, dictating subordinate activities responsibly.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties and accomplish a high volume of work while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems, and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.

Physical and Work Environment

This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and reaching with hands and arms. Work has standard vision requirements. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities. Work is primarily in a health care setting where specialized resident programs are implemented. Work environment includes exposure to infectious agents, chemical agents, and resident behaviors.