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Recreation Therapist | Full-Time | Day Shift | Kansas City, MO

101 Truman Medical Center

Job LocationIntensive Care Group Home (Cadence House)

Kansas City, Missouri

DepartmentCommunity Mental Health Center

Position TypeFull time

Work Schedule7:00AM - 3:30PM

Hours Per Week40

If you want to work where the action is, University Health (UH) is the place for you. Known as “Kansas City’s Essential Hospital,” UH is the safety net healthcare system for Jackson County/Kansas City. We are an academic medical center, serving as the primary teaching institution for the UMKC Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, and Pharmacy. A 547-bed, not-for-profit health system, UH delivers the highest-quality medical care for our patients, with compassion, empathy, and unparalleled dedication to service. During the 2020 pandemic, we also stepped forward as a regional leader in COVID care and testing. UH is comprised of three campuses:

 

UH Truman Medical Center is located in the Health Sciences District of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. The Health Sciences District represents a robust academic community, leading the forefront of biomedical research and cutting edge technology. Partnered with UMKC and Children’s Mercy Hospital. University Health serves as the cornerstone in educating the next generation of healthcare practitioners. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, we’re a leader in Emergency Medicine and Critical Care, with world-class expertise in chronic disease management and women’s services, including high-risk maternity care. The Health Sciences District is also home to the University Health 1 and 2 buildings. UH 1 is UH’s beautiful specialty outpatient clinics and day-surgery center and UH 2 is the location for all of our primary care and women’s care clinics.

 

UH Lakewood Medical Center is located between Kansas City and Lee’s Summit, Missouri, offering residents of Eastern Jackson County access to a modern community hospital with a continuum of outpatient services designed to meet the needs of families.  UH Lakewood specializes in high-risk maternal and child care, and serves as one of the few Kansas City metro area institutions accredited by The Joint Commission in Orthopedics and Palliative Care. It also is home to a 188-bed, fully accredited long-term care center.

 

UH Behavioral Health is the KC metro area’s largest, most comprehensive provider of mental health services. The Crossroads Building, located in Kansas City’s vibrant Crossroads Arts District, is its epicenter, providing a broad list of outpatient services. We also offer psychiatric inpatient care, and we deliver therapeutic services through our community outreach clinics. We are a leader in the Trauma-Informed Care Movement, and provide training, coaching and consulting to outside organizations.

Job Description

Are you a Certified Recreation Therapist (CTRS) or recent graduate looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of adults with severe and persistent mental illness? Join our team in Kansas City, MO, where your creativity, compassion, and expertise will play a key role in helping our residents thrive in their recovery journey. 

We’re looking for a Recreation Therapist who is passionate about building relationships with clients, creating tailored activity programs, and leading therapeutic experiences that meet our residents where they are. You’ll be working in a group home setting and out in the community, helping clients discover their adaptive mode—the place where they feel their best and are fully engaged in activities that bring them joy and fulfillment. 

If you enjoy working with a diverse population, getting people involved in the community, and adapting your approach to meet evolving needs, this position could be perfect for you! 

What You’ll Do: 

Design & Lead Activities: Create and manage an engaging activity schedule based on residents’ interests. Activities may include outings to the zoo, basketball games, video game tournaments, grocery shopping, and more. 

Incorporate Recovery-Oriented Cognitive Therapy (CT-R): Receive training in this evidence-based practice and integrate it into your programs to help residents build confidence and develop life skills. 

Tailor Programs: Get to know each resident personally to adapt and evolve activities as the population changes, ensuring that each client’s unique interests and needs are met. 

Build Community Connections: Facilitate community-based activities that help residents engage with the world around them. 

Collaborate: Work closely with group home and multi-disciplinary treatment team to ensure programs align with residents’ recovery goals. 

Why You’ll Love This Role: 

You’ll have autonomy to create and lead a dynamic recreation therapy program, with support and mentorship from a certified recreation therapist in leadership. 

You’ll make a tangible impact on the lives of residents, helping them experience joy, connection, and progress in their recovery. 

Daytime schedule (Monday–Friday) for work-life balance. Holidays off. 

Who We’re Looking For: 

We’re seeking a compassionate, flexible, and relationship-driven Recreation Therapist who thrives on empowering individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Our ideal candidate: 

Is highly accepting and nonjudgmental, meeting clients where they are and celebrating their progress. 

Loves getting people out into the community, facilitating experiences that build confidence and connection. 

Is creative and adaptable, tailoring programs to each resident’s needs and interests. 

Enjoys diversity and works well with clients from a variety of backgrounds. 

Qualifications: 

Minimum Requirements: 

Graduation from a college program with a major in Therapeutic Recreation. 

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS), or another professional discipline certification when used in Recreation Therapy activities. (If you are not yet certified, we may offer a pathway forward!) 

Strong verbal communication skills for leading therapeutic activities. 

Solid written communication skills for completing required documentation. 

BLS (Basic Life Support) certification within 120 days of hire and maintained for continued employment. 

Successful completion of a Family Care Registry background check. 

A valid Class E Missouri or Kansas driver’s license. Must be comfortable operating a 15-passenger van within two months of hire. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

Experience working with individuals with severe and persistent mental illness, particularly schizophrenia. 

Location: Kansas City, MO. You’ll work primarily in a group home setting with opportunities to engage residents in community activities. 

Ready to Apply? 

If you’re a Certified Recreation Therapist (or on the path to certification) who’s ready to inspire and empower residents in their recovery, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today and take the next step in your recreation therapy career.