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Recreational Therapist

Rogers Behavioral Health · Oconomowoc, WI · Full time

Posted Sep 17, 2025 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Which experiential media are you strongest in, like art, music, fitness or outdoor work, and how have you used it therapeutically?

What they are checking: Whether they have a real specialty they can bring to the team.

Tell me about a time you designed a new group for a specific patient population.

What they are checking: Whether they can plan and evaluate programming, which the role requires.

What's a unique approach you'd bring to helping patients with different diagnoses?

What they are checking: Whether they have creative ideas the posting specifically asks for.

What would you do

A patient with depression won't participate in anything. How do you engage them?

What they are checking: Whether they can use small, low-pressure steps to build participation.

A conflict breaks out between patients during a group game. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can de-escalate and use the moment as a learning opportunity.

How do you work with therapists and nurses to understand what each patient needs from your groups?

What they are checking: Whether they seek out what therapists and nurses know about each patient so their groups support the treatment plan.

Some schedules include rotating weekends. How does that work for you?

What they are checking: Whether they can meet the scheduling needs the posting names.

About the work

You'd work across inpatient, residential and PHP/IOP. How would your approach change from one level of care to another?

What they are checking: Whether they can adjust goals and activities to each level's acuity and length of stay.

How do you connect a recreation activity to the CBT and DBT skills patients are learning?

What they are checking: Whether they see recreation as a place to practice recovery skills.

How do you keep art or craft supplies safe on a psychiatric unit?

What they are checking: Whether they think about sharps and other items that could be used for self-harm.

How do you write a note after a group so it's useful to the treatment team?

What they are checking: Whether they document progress toward goals clearly and on time.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Rogers Behavioral Health.

New Employee Retention Bonus *$5,000.00 retention bonus available! (New Employee is defined as someone who has not been employed with Rogers for more than six months) Schedule: • Different schedules/FTE’s available based on program. • Part-time or full-time roles available with weekday or rotating weekend schedules. • Day shift schedule with hours ranging from 7am-6pm. The recreational therapist develops, plans, implements, facilitates, directs and evaluates experiential therapy programming in all specialized treatment areas. The Recreational Therapist will have a working knowledge of a psychosocial functioning of patient/resident groups as well as application of expressive activities within a psychiatric setting. These include, but are not limited to, adventure-based and environmental activities, sports, dance, group initiatives, arts/crafts, music, outdoor activities, art media, psychodrama, horticulture, ropes and challenge course. Rogers in Oconomowoc is looking for an Experiential Therapist (Recreational Therapist, Fitness Therapist, Art Therapist, Music Therapist, Outdoor Activity Specialist) to work with our patients across our different levels of care; Inpatient, Residential and PHP/IOP . We are looking for someone with a strong passion and a unique approach to helping patients with different diagnoses. Job Duties & Responsibilities: • Have a working knowledge of a psychosocial functioning of patient/resident groups as well as application of expressive activities within a psychiatric setting. • Utilizes recreational activities to aid patients /residents to learn to apply and utilize recovery skills being taught in protocol sessions. • Provides individualized treatment within a group setting. • Awareness of CBT and DBT skills. Programming. • Conduct experiential therapy, as scheduled. • Evaluate, plan and coordinate programming to meet patients’/residents’ needs. • Maintain Experiential Therapy environments for safety and supplies. • Be flexible with work assignments, including schedule changes and program additions. • Have a good working knowledge of a variety of experiential therapies. Documentation/Treatment. • Complete a treatment plan and evaluation according to Rogers policy. • Complete therapeutic documentation according to Rogers policy. Patient/resident knowledge. • Demonstrate knowledge of intervention strategies and utilize redirection when necessary to maintain patients’/residents’ safety. • Monitor patient/resident behavior and safely intervene appropriately, using de-escalation techniques and least-restrictive measures possible. • Establish a therapeutic rapport with patient/resident groups, while maintaining appropriate, professional relationships. • Demonstrate knowledge of psychosocial functioning of each patient/resident group. Know the common diagnostic categories and their relationship to patients’/residents’ behavior within the setting. Demonstrate knowledge of treatment procedures/models (behavioral, recovery, etc.) and application within a therapy setting. Staff requirements. • Attend all mandatory in-services and other in-services relevant to the position. Be responsible for all educational requirements and related obligations pertaining to the license of the program/unit license regulatory requirements governing the program(s). • Complete all required orientation competencies and training within the Experiential Therapy department and Rogers. • Attend Experiential Therapy department and program staff meetings, as required. • Meet with the manager of Experiential Therapy monthly regarding clinical guidance, training, program evaluation and problem reporting. • Conduct program-specific programming off Rogers Behavioral Health grounds, following procedures for using Rogers owned vehicles, for designated patient populations. • Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor. Additional Job Description: Education/Training Requirements: • BS/BA degree is required, preferably in art, music, dance, recreation, or other therapies required. A Master’s degree in these areas is also preferred. • Certification/registration through appropriate credentialing board preferred. • Valid driver license in the state of employment (Residential and PHP/IOP assignments). • American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR or American Red Cross Professional Rescue certification is required within thirty (30) days of the date of hire, with annual re-certification. • Formal training in management of the aggressive patient is required within sixty (60) days of the date of hire, with annual re-certification, including self-defense training. • Ropes and Challenge Course training by Rogers Memorial Hospital, with yearly renewal (where applicable to the position). • Employees at the Child/Adolescent Day Treatment programs licensed under HFS §40 are required to have at least one (1) year of educational or work experience and a licensure or certification when serving children with mental health disorders. • Applicable to Experiential Therapy pool and Experiential Therapy fixed FTE staff dedicated to a residential cost center: Compliance in Residential Care Centers (RCC) and Community Based Residential Facility (CBRF) employee training requirements. Art Credential - Cert, Art Therapist Registered - Cert, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Spec - Cert, Dance Therapist - Cert, Music Therapist - Cert With a career at Rogers, you can look forward to a Total Rewards package of benefits, including: • Health, dental, and vision insurance coverage for you and your family • 401(k) retirement plan • Employee share program • Life/disability insurance • Flex spending accounts • Tuition reimbursement • Health and wellness program • Employee assistance program (EAP) Through UnitedHealthcare, UMR and HealthSCOPE Benefits creates and publishes the Machine-Readable Files on behalf of Rogers Behavioral Health. To link to the Machine-Readable Files, please visit Transparency in Coverage (uhc.com)

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