Recreational Therapist at Craig Hospital – Englewood, Colorado

Position will Close: 04/22/2026

Temporary Position — May through September
Status: Full-time (40hrs)

Position Summary:
A Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) is responsible for the planning, organizing and directing medically approved programs for patients (inpatients and outpatients) on the Craig Hospital campus and in the surrounding community. The CTRS plans, organizes and directs activities across the entire sport and recreation spectrum. The CTRS works as part of the treatment team to develop goals that meet a patient’s needs and interests while at the same time advancing their overall treatment goals and discharge plan.

Position Requirements:

• Licensure/Certification/Registrations: Current BLS for the Health Care Provider certification from the American Heart Association required. Certified by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CRTS) or eligible, preferred upon hire. Must have current, valid, Colorado driver's license in good standing and insurable.
• Education: Minimum Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university. Graduate of a therapeutic recreation curriculum approved by the National Council of Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
• Experience: 1–3 years as a CTRS strongly preferred. Clinical experience working with traumatic spinal cord and/or brain injury patients strongly preferred.
• Skills & Abilities: Excellent organization and customer service skills. Ability to successfully handle multiple priorities and prioritize and schedule according to forecasting workloads. Must be able to successfully and effectively communicate with a variety of personnel. Ability to teach subject matter to others, or train others through explanation, demonstration, and supervised practice or make recommendations on the basis of technical disciplines. Ability to use proper body mechanics, tools, or special devices to work, move, guide, or place patients, objects or other equipment safely. Skilled in safe and prudent operation of hospital vehicles (small vans, 15 passenger buses). Requires proficiency in Microsoft Office, writing and problem-solving skills. Must be able to operate standard office equipment.

Essential Functions:

• Evaluate and screen patients to determine therapeutic recreational needs, identify strengths and deficits, establish long and short-term goals and develop an individualized treatment plan incorporating patient and family needs.
• Plan, organize and execute treatment plans including but not limited to functional skills, leisure education, adaptive equipment usage and procurement, program/activity modification, community reintegration, and discharge planning.
• Organize and conduct scheduled groups and special outings, transports and accompany patients to community activities including but not limited to sporting events, concerts, hunting and fishing opportunities, park outings, camping and adventure trips, cultural events, museum outings, etc.
  • Load and unload patients into vehicles.
  • Transfer patients to and from vehicles and other seating and reclining arrangements.
  • Move patients utilizing adaptive transfer equipment, lifts, and ramps.
• Provide services essential to safety and well-being of patients, including but not limited to behavior management, respiratory needs, maintenance of catheter materials and perform or assist with weight shifts.
• Secure and maintain department equipment and materials properly utilizing and storing them. Request and procure supplies and services essential to department operation.
• Provide treatment to adolescent, adult and geriatric patients and adapts the plan of treatment accordingly.
• Document patients' evaluation results, progress towards goals, treatment plan, and recommendations in compliance with documentation requirements of the department and hospital

** This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties. Employee may perform other related duties as assigned.

Craig Hospital Benefits:

Benefit Eligible Positions:

At Craig Hospital we offer a wide range of outstanding benefits that allow our employees to tailor a benefits package that meets their individual needs. Planning a family or looking forward to retirement we have options. Our medical insurance is a self-funded plan administered by Allegiance Benefit Plans with a CIGNA network of providers offering two different comprehensive plans. We offer dental insurance through Delta Dental, and vision insurance through EyeMed. Craig offers Health Care and Dependent Care Spending Accounts. Craig also provides, and pays for both Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance plans for every benefit-eligible employee. We offer generous time-off benefits to allow you to enjoy your time away from work too! Additionally, we have a 403b Retirement Plan with a generous matching contribution through Empower Retirement that you are eligible for upon hire. Want to go back to school? We have Tuition Assistance. Unexpected emergency? We have Employee Assistance Programs and an Employee Emergency Assistance Fund. At Craig, we believe in offering best-in-class benefits and prioritize benefits to support you.

Salary Range- $26.24/ Hour - $37.79/ Hour