Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) – Independent ContractorCompany Overview
Advanced Therapeutic Solutions, LLC is a growing Michigan-based healthcare organization providing individualized, activity-based therapeutic services to children, adolescents, and emerging adults with intellectual, developmental, behavioral, emotional, and physical disabilities.
Our services are designed to help individuals strengthen functional skills, increase independence, participate more fully in their homes and communities, and improve their overall quality of life. We currently provide Recreational Therapy, Music Therapy, and Art Therapy services and are expanding our interdisciplinary programming to include Recreationally Enhanced ABA and Speech-Language Pathology services.
Our mission is to ensure that each individual has access to qualified, personalized, and meaningful treatment that supports the development and generalization of important life, leisure, social, emotional, and community participation skills.
Advanced Therapeutic Solutions currently serves approximately 100 clients across multiple Michigan counties. Our active and developing service areas include:
- Wayne
- Oakland
- Washtenaw
- Monroe
- Macomb
- Calhoun
- Kalamazoo
- Kent
- St. Joseph
- Ingham
- Eaton
- Clinton
- Allegan
- Muskegon
- Ottawa
- Jackson
Service availability varies by county, referral volume, payer authorization, and therapist location.
Position Overview
Advanced Therapeutic Solutions is seeking Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists to join our interdisciplinary team as independent contractors.
We are also interested in qualified Recreational Therapy graduates who are preparing to sit for the NCTRC certification examination. Individuals who have not yet obtained certification may participate in approved observation, training, and shadowing opportunities but may not independently provide billable Recreational Therapy services until all certification and credentialing requirements have been completed.
Our Recreational Therapy program provides individualized services to clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, severe emotional disturbance, serious mental illness, and physical or functional limitations.
Most services are provided one-on-one in the client’s home or community. Depending on client needs, authorization requirements, and therapist availability, services may also be delivered through an approved therapy hub or telehealth format.
Primary Responsibilities
The Recreational Therapist will:
- Design and implement individualized, one-on-one Recreational Therapy sessions based on the client’s assessed needs, interests, strengths, and treatment goals.
- Conduct initial Recreational Therapy assessments and gather information from the client, caregivers, support staff, and other members of the treatment team.
- Develop individualized treatment plans that align with the client’s Individual Plan of Service, behavioral treatment plan, educational plan, or other applicable care-planning documents.
- Use the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework to support assessment, treatment planning, documentation, and measurement of functional progress.
- Complete weekly progress notes and all required clinical documentation through OmniPractice, our secure electronic documentation and communication platform.
- Complete service reviews at approximately three, six, and nine months, along with annual reassessments and updated treatment plans.
- Monitor client progress and modify interventions based on clinical data, observed performance, caregiver feedback, and changes in the client’s needs.
- Incorporate structured and unstructured recreational activities to address functional goals involving communication, social participation, emotional regulation, motor development, executive functioning, leisure education, self-determination, and community participation.
- Adapt activities, environments, equipment, and expectations to promote meaningful participation and success.
- Schedule sessions directly with clients and caregivers while maintaining the authorized frequency and duration of services.
- Collaborate professionally with caregivers, case managers, support coordinators, educators, behavioral professionals, and other interdisciplinary team members.
- Provide caregiver education and recommendations related to leisure participation, skill generalization, and the client’s treatment goals when clinically appropriate.
- Maintain professional boundaries and follow all ATS policies related to client rights, confidentiality, mandated reporting, safety, documentation, and ethical service delivery.
- Follow applicable Medicaid, waiver, CMH, payer, authorization, and CPT coding requirements.
- Participate in required county, payer, agency, and ATS training.
- Communicate scheduling changes, safety concerns, incidents, changes in client status, and barriers to service delivery in a timely manner.
- Maintain treatment materials and ensure that all activities are safe, developmentally appropriate, and clinically relevant.
- Commit to a minimum six-month independent contractor agreement. Contractors who wish to continue beyond the initial term are strongly encouraged to remain with the organization.
QualificationsCertification and Education
Applicants must:
- Hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or another degree that meets NCTRC eligibility requirements.
- Hold a current Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification before independently providing Recreational Therapy services.
- Maintain all continuing education and renewal requirements associated with the CTRS credential.
- Provide documentation of current CPR and First Aid certification when required by ATS, the client’s county, payer, or service setting.
Recreational Therapy students or recent graduates preparing for the NCTRC examination may be considered for future contractor placement, shadowing, or supervised training opportunities. National certification and full credentialing must be completed before the individual may independently render billable services.
Experience
Prior professional experience is welcomed but not required. ATS provides training related to documentation, clinical expectations, service delivery, payer requirements, and company procedures.
Experience working with individuals with autism, intellectual or developmental disabilities, behavioral needs, mental health conditions, or physical disabilities is beneficial.
Required Skills and Characteristics
Successful candidates should demonstrate:
- Strong communication, organization, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
- The ability to independently manage a flexible caseload and documentation responsibilities.
- Creativity and the ability to adapt activities to different ages, interests, abilities, and treatment goals.
- Compassion, patience, professionalism, and a person-centered approach.
- The ability to build rapport while maintaining appropriate professional and therapeutic boundaries.
- Comfort working independently in homes and community settings.
- The ability to collaborate respectfully with families, caregivers, case managers, and interdisciplinary professionals.
- Reliable access to email, internet, and a device capable of accessing ATS’s secure online systems.
- A commitment to timely, accurate, and clinically meaningful documentation.
- A willingness to engage clients through play, recreation, music, movement, art, games, community activities, and other meaningful leisure experiences.
Applicants must also:
- Successfully complete all required background, exclusion, and credentialing checks.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
- Maintain reliable transportation and appropriate automobile insurance.
- Be able to travel within their selected service area.
- Meet all county-specific and payer-specific provider requirements.
Contractor Compensation and Benefits
Independent contractors receive:
- Competitive compensation starting at $45 per completed treatment session.
- A $200 training completion bonus when all required onboarding and training requirements are completed within 30 days of hire and all applicable bonus conditions are met.
- Control and flexibility when building and maintaining their schedule.
- The ability to select preferred service counties and geographic areas based on available referrals.
- Opportunities to provide services in client homes, community locations, approved therapy hubs, and other authorized settings.
- Access to ATS’s sharing closet and company-owned therapeutic materials.
- The option to use personal therapeutic materials and equipment when appropriate.
- Access to OmniPractice for secure documentation, scheduling support, and clinical communication.
- Clinical templates, assessment resources, treatment-planning tools, and ongoing administrative support.
- Opportunities to gain experience working with diverse clients and interdisciplinary treatment teams.
- A stable opportunity to develop supplemental income while making a meaningful impact within the community.
- Potential opportunities for professional growth as ATS expands its clinical programs and geographic reach.
Independent contractors are responsible for their own taxes, mileage records, business expenses, and any materials they independently purchase. Mileage and qualifying business expenses may be tax deductible, subject to guidance from the contractor’s tax professional.
Scheduling and Caseload
Most clients receive approximately four sessions per month, with sessions generally lasting between 45 and 60 minutes. Frequency, duration, setting, and treatment expectations are determined by the client’s authorization, treatment plan, clinical needs, and payer requirements.
Therapists schedule sessions directly with clients and caregivers. Caseload size depends on the therapist’s availability, geographic preferences, referral availability, credentialing status, and the needs of the individuals served.
ATS cannot guarantee a specific number of referrals or weekly hours, but we work to match therapists with clients whose locations, schedules, and clinical needs align with the therapist’s availability and experience.
Why Join Advanced Therapeutic Solutions?
Our therapists have the opportunity to use recreation, creativity, play, movement, community engagement, and meaningful interests as legitimate clinical tools.
You will help clients:
- Build independence.
- Develop social and communication skills.
- Improve emotional regulation.
- Strengthen motor and cognitive skills.
- Explore new recreational interests.
- Increase community participation.
- Build confidence and self-determination.
- Experience success through activities they genuinely enjoy.
You will also work with some incredibly fun, creative, and memorable clients who look forward to seeing their therapist each week.
Join Our Team
Help us create meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities to participate, grow, connect, and thrive through Recreational Therapy.
Apply today to join Advanced Therapeutic Solutions, LLC.
Learn more about our organization at:
AdvancedTherapeuticSolutionsMI.com
Job Type: Contract
Pay: $45.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Flexible schedule
- Referral program
Ability to Commute:
- Wayne County, MI (Required)
Work Location: In person
