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Expressive Therapist or Certified Recreation Therapist - Behavioral Health Group Homes (Mon-Fri, 7:00am - 3:30pm)

101 Truman Medical Center

Job Location

Intensive Care Group Home (Cadence House)

Kansas City, Missouri

Department

Community Mental Health Center

Position Type

Full time

Work Schedule

7:00AM - 3:30PM

Hours Per Week

40

Job Description

This role is open to both **Expressive Therapists** and **Certified Recreation Therapist** candidates! This opening is for our new Group Home 'Cadence House' within our Behavioral Health division.

Expressive Therapist

Plans and implements Recreation, Music, Art and/or Dance and Movement Therapy interventions within facility to enhance physical, cognitive, social and affective development and to facilitate daily living and community functioning skills; may participate in the supervision of Expressive Therapy students independently with limited supervision

Minimum Requirements

+ Graduation from an accredited college program with major in Recreation Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy or Dance and Movement Therapy.

+ Must have current certification or registry in Recreation Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, or Dance and Movement Therapy or obtain required certification or registry within 6 months of hire date to maintain employment.

+ Possess, or obtain within 60 days, RQI certification, and maintain current certification.

+ For Inpatient Mental Health Services, must obtain CBMT training if employed in BHAC and Community Safety/Verbal De-escalation if employed in Outpatient program within 90 days of hire and maintain training during employment.

+ Verbal communication skills required to lead Expressive Therapy. Written communication skills required to complete required documentation.

Preferred Requirements

+ One year experience in Artistic Expressive Therapy

Certified Recreation Therapist

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 teamto 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.

Working at University Health is about making a difference. It's providing the best care to every patient every day.

University Health (UH), is committed to being a leader in providing a culturally inclusive workplace for our employees. UH is an equal opportunity employer. We value and celebrate our differences. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless, but not limited to race, ethnicity, religion, beliefs, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation), national origin, ancestry, language, age, citizenship, genetic information, marital status, socioeconomic status, literacy, disability, mobility, abilities, veteran status and any other category protected by applicable law.