Certified Recreation Therapy Specialist SR27

Initial Posting Date:

06/13/2025

Application Deadline:

11/30/2025

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$5842-$8148

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Certified Recreation Therapy Specialist SR27 (BHS1)

Job Description:

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)- BHS1 Oregon State Hospital in Salem

Oregon State Hospital, a Joint Commission and CMS certified public psychiatric hospital, provides psychiatric hospital services and patient treatment services to persons committed by the Oregon courts as part of the state mental health system. 

The Oregon State Hospital Salem Campus is a 610-bed facility supported by approximately 2,000 staff.  

The CTRS provides individualized treatment to patients based on their discipline specific education, training, licensing, and board certification in Recreation Therapy. 

The CTRS completes clinical assessments, develops clinical interventions to meet individualized persons served treatment needs, creates program and treatment goals, and provides rehabilitation-focused clinical services to persons served.  

The CTRS completes clinical assessments in accordance with Oregon State Hospital, specific discipline, and professional standards within timelines established by policies and protocols.  They participate in the development of program plans based on persons served needs and goals.  They provide discipline specific and evidenced-based interventions that support individualized treatment plans and coordinate those interventions with overall clinical delivery of treatment services. They evaluate the effectiveness of treatment plans and track persons served progression or regression towards goals.  

The CTRS reassess persons served treatment goals by modifying, adapting, and progressively updating the treatment plan to report out to the interdisciplinary group as an active member of the team representing the Treatment Services Department. 

The CTRS are supervised by a clinical manager who evaluates the position through direct observation, documentation review, clinical supervision, treatment outcome measurements, persons served satisfaction responses, and peer/other management feedback. The CTRS is in daily contact with managers in other units, members of various treatment teams, interns, volunteers, and students. 

• Provide up to 20 hours of direct services to persons served through 1:1s, on-unit clinical groups, and/or treatment mall clinical groups. 
• Provide high quality services that reflect emerging best practices. 
• Track and document in Electronic Medical Records persons served progress or regress toward their individual treatment goals. 
• Reassess persons served treatment goals by modifying, adapting, and progressively updating treatment care plans. 
• Regularly evaluate efficacy of clinical interventions and communicate with clinical supervisor. 
• Communicate routinely with Creative Arts and Recreation Therapies Director/Associate Director, and Treatment Mall Manager, informing them of actions taken in unusual situations, limitations in skill, scheduling issues, absences, leave, supplies, etc. 
• Facilitate constructive resolutions that utilize Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) techniques used at the hospital when interacting in conflicts or stressful situations. 

*Please note the Application Guidance below, the submission of a cover letter and resume, along with your application is required for consideration.

For a full review of the position description, CTRS

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's in Therapeutic Recreation or related degree & actively holding the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), or able to obtain the credential within the first 6 months of employment.

OR

Applicant must be able to demonstrate either the Academic path or Professional Experience Equivalency paths per the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) requirements and holding the CTRS credential. OR able to obtain the credential within the first 6 months of employment.

What We Are Looking For

Desired Attributes: The following are skills and lived experiences that we have identified as key to success in this role at OSH. These are the attributes we are looking for in our top candidate. If you possess any of these, please let us know in your application.

• Experience working with patients/clients in an institutional mental health setting.
• Experience working in a locked facility.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate (verbally and in writing) in a clear, concise, and complete manner. 
• Experience working in an interdisciplinary clinical environment. 
• Experience working with underserved populations of patients 

Special Requirements: To be hired, you must have a criminal records check, and drug screen that meets OHA/OSH criteria at the time of hire, and throughout employment.

Application Guidance

How to Apply: Submission Requirements - At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume and cover letter prior to the end of the application process.

External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.

Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through their employee Workday login. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements.

After You Apply:

• Before the job announcement closes, log in to your Workday account to check for pending tasks under “My Applications” and complete them.
• Remember to check your email (including your junk folder) and Workday inbox for updates on your application.
• We value our veterans! To ensure the security of your information, kindly follow the instructions for how to submit your Veteran documents for preference found here. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.

Reminders:

• Your candidate profile and application materials are great opportunities to showcase your interest in the position and highlight your skills and experience. Submissions will be screened for consistency and communication skills, including attention to detail, spelling, and grammar. For more tips and guidance, check out What you need to know to get the job!
• This announcement is for 1 vacancy, time type: full-time, permanent, SEIU represented, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist -BHS2 SR 27 position based in Salem, Oregon.
• This is a In Office position.
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline. For questions about the announcement, or if you require an alternate format to apply, please contact the Sr. Recruiter, Melissa Perez at: [email protected]

Benefits of Joining Our Team

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promote an atmosphere of mutual respect, dedication, and enthusiasm. You will collaborate with a team of bright individuals to work with and learn from. If you're driven by the passion to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including:

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost.
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses.
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 8 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 8 hours per month.
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP).
• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

Additional Details

• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification.
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards.

Helpful Links & Resources

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources

The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on any protected class—including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation—and we do not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.

OHA is an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities and dismantle structural barriers that impact underserved communities. Join us in advancing our Strategic Plan and building a more equitable Oregon.