Median annual earnings of recreational therapists were $30,540 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $23,180 and $38,620. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $18,130, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $47,180. In 2002, median annual earnings for recreational therapists were $25,010 in nursing care facilities.
Recreational therapists, also referred to as therapeutic recreation specialists, provide treatment services and recreation activities to individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Using a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings, therapists treat and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their clients. Therapists help individuals reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively so that they can enjoy greater independence, as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of their illness or disability. In addition, therapists help integrate people with disabilities into the community by teaching them how to use community resources and recreational activities. Recreational therapists should not be confused with recreation and fitness workers, who organize recreational activities primarily for enjoyment. (Recreation and fitness workers are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.)
In acute healthcare settings, such as hospitals and rehabilitation centers, recreational therapists treat and rehabilitate individuals with specific health conditions, usually in conjunction or collaboration with physicians, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and physical and occupational therapists. In long-term and residential care facilities, recreational therapists use leisure activities—especially structured group programs—to improve and maintain their clients' general health and well-being. They also may provide interventions to prevent the client from suffering further medical problems and complications related to illnesses and disabilities.
Recreational therapists assess clients on the basis of information the therapists learn from standardized assessments, observations, medical records, the medical staff, the clients' families, and the clients themselves. They then develop and carry out therapeutic interventions consistent with the clients' needs and interests. For example, clients who are isolated from others or who have limited social skills may be encouraged to play games with others, and right-handed persons with right-side paralysis may be instructed in how to adapt to using their unaffected left side to throw a ball or swing a racket. Recreational therapists may instruct patients in relaxation techniques to reduce stress and tension, stretching and limbering exercises, proper body mechanics for participation in recreation activities, pacing and energy conservation techniques, and individual as well as team activities. In addition, therapists observe and document a patient's participation, reactions, and progress.
Community-based recreational therapists may work in park and recreation departments, special-education programs for school districts, or programs for older adults and people with disabilities. Included in the last group are programs and facilities such as assisted-living, adult daycare, and substance abuse rehabilitation centers. In these programs, therapists use interventions to develop specific skills, while providing opportunities for exercise, mental stimulation, creativity, and fun. Although most therapists are employed in other areas, those who work in schools help counselors, teachers, and parents address the special needs of students, including easing disabled students' transition into adult life.
.Overall employment of recreational therapists is expected to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. In nursing care facilities—the largest industry employing recreational therapists—employment will grow slightly faster than the occupation as a whole, as the number of older adults continues to grow. Employment is expected to decline, however, in hospitals as services shift to outpatient settings and employers emphasize cost containment. Fast employment growth is expected in the residential and outpatient settings that serve disabled persons, the elderly, or those diagnosed with mental retardation, mental illness, or substance abuse problems—for example, community care facilities for the elderly (which includes assisted-living facilities); residential mental retardation, mental health, and substance abuse facilities; and individual and family services (which includes daycare centers for disabled persons and the elderly). Opportunities should be best for persons with a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or in recreation with an option in therapeutic recreation.
Health services facilities will support a growing number of jobs in adult daycare and outpatient programs offering short-term mental health and alcohol or drug abuse services. Rehabilitation, home healthcare, and transitional programs will provide additional jobs.
The rapidly growing number of older adults is expected to spur job growth for recreational therapy professionals and paraprofessionals in assisted-living facilities, adult daycare programs, and other social assistance agencies. Continued growth also is expected in community residential care facilities, as well as daycare programs for individuals with disabilities.
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A bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, or in recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation, is the usual requirement for entry-level positions. Persons may qualify for paraprofessional positions with an associate degree in therapeutic recreation or a healthcare-related field. An associate degree in recreational therapy; training in art, drama, or music therapy; or qualifying work experience may be sufficient for activity director positions in nursing homes.
Approximately 140 programs prepare students to become recreational therapists. Most offer bachelor's degrees, although some also offer associate, master's, or doctoral degrees. Programs include courses in assessment, treatment and program planning, intervention design, and evaluation. Students also study human anatomy, physiology, abnormal psychology, medical and psychiatric terminology, characteristics of illnesses and disabilities, professional ethics, and the use of assistive devices and technology.
Most employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified therapeutic recreation specialists. The National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification is the certificatory agency. To become certified, specialists must have a bachelor's degree, pass a written certification examination, and complete an internship of at least 480 hours. Additional requirements apply in order to maintain certification and to recertify.
Recreational therapists should be comfortable working with persons who are ill or who have disabilities. Therapists must be patient, tactful, and persuasive when working with people who have a variety of special needs. Ingenuity, a sense of humor, and imagination are needed to adapt activities to individual needs, and good physical coordination is necessary to demonstrate or participate in recreational activities.
Therapists may advance to supervisory or administrative positions. Some teach, conduct research, or consult for health or social services agencies.
.Recreational therapists primarily design activities to help people with disabilities lead more fulfilling and independent lives. Other workers who have similar jobs are occupational therapists, physical therapists, recreation and fitness workers, and rehabilitation counselors.
For information on how to order materials describing careers and academic programs in recreational therapy, contact either of the following sources:
Information on certification may be obtained from:
These therapists use a variety of techniques to treat or maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of clients. Additionally, they help integrate people with disabilities into the community, by helping them use community resources and recreational activities. They then develop and carry out therapeutic interventions consistent with client needs and interests. Included in the latter group are programs and facilities such as assisted living, adult day service centers and substance abuse rehabilitation centers. About 38 percent of salaried jobs for therapists were in hospitals, and 26 percent were in nursing and personal care facilities.
Summary of: http://www.umsl.edu/services/govdocs/ooh20002001/265.htm
These days, health care workers have lots of means at their disposal to help people heal. The people who organize all the fun stuff in hospitals, nursing homes, hospices and rehabilitation centers are called recreational therapists. They also develop programs to build motor and social skills. How they go about their jobs depends largely on where they work. While certification in this field is voluntary, most employers prefer to hire therapists who are certified therapeutic recreation specialists (CTRS).
Summary of: http://www3.ccps.virginia.edu/career_prospects/briefs/P-S/RecTherapy.shtml
Recreational therapies help patients recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities, build confidence and socialize more effectively. Additionally, therapists observe and document patients' participation, reactions and progress. Almost 40 percent of salaried jobs for therapists were in nursing and personal care facilities, and more than 30 percent were in hospitals. A few therapists were self-employed, generally contracting with long-term care facilities or community agencies to develop and oversee programs. They may also treat clients and provide interventions to prevent further medical problems and secondary complications related to illness and disabilities.
Summary of: http://www.mayo.edu/mshs/rec-career.html
Competition will remain keen for full-time career positions in recreation; however, job prospects for fitness workers will be more favorable. The recreation field offers many part-time and seasonal job opportunities. Increasingly, recreational and fitness workers also are found in workplaces, where they organize and direct leisure activities and athletic programs for employees of all ages. About 36 percent work part time and many recreation jobs are seasonal. Some jobs also require certification.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos058.htm
This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Summary of: http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/29-1125.00
Recreational therapists should be comfortable working with persons who are ill or who have disabilities. Opportunities should be best for persons with a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or in recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation. In addition, therapists help integrate people with disabilities into the community by teaching them how to use community resources and recreational activities. Community-based recreational therapists may work in park and recreation departments, special-education programs for school districts, or programs for older adults and people with disabilities. Included in the last group are programs and facilities such as assisted-living, adult daycare, and substance abuse rehabilitation centers.
Summary of: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos082.htm
Activities include sports, games, dance, drama, arts and crafts, and music, as well as field trips for sightseeing, ball games, or picnics. Recreational therapists should not be confused with recreation workers, who organize recreational activities primarily for enjoyment. In these settings they may be called activity directors or therapeutic recreation specialists. They then develop and carry out therapeutic activity programs consistent with patient needs and interests. Community based recreational therapists work in park and recreation departments, special education programs, or programs for the elderly or disabled.
Summary of: http://www2.jobtrak.com/help_manuals/outlook/ocos082.html
Have you ever considered that activities like these can help people overcome physical or mental disabilities. Recreational therapists use many different leisure activities to treat patients. Recreational therapists try to plan activities around patient interests as well as their needs. Work ActivitiesThe following list of occupational tasks is specific to this career. They like to work in jobs which have opportunities for them to advance, be recognized for their work, and direct and instruct others.
Summary of: http://www.iseek.org/sv/13000.jsp?id=100178
They use a variety of techniques to treat or maintain their clients' physical, mental and emotional well-being. These therapists help individuals reduce depression, stress and anxiety. In long-term care and residential facilities, recreation therapists use leisure activities to improve and maintain general health and well-being. They then develop and carry out therapeutic interventions consistent with client needs and interests. Lauderdale Florida-Ft.
Summary of: http://jobprofiles.monster.com/Content/job_content/JC_health_care/JSC_HealthDiagnosingandTreatingPractitionersOther/JOB_344_recreation_therapist/jobzilla_html?jobprofiles=1
Therapeutic Recreation Resources - Recreation Therapy Jobs, Therapeutic Activity Ideas, and Products for recreational therapy. Here are just some of the resources you will find at the TR Directory. Click HERE to enter. Edit/Delete Ad, click here. 1 - Because the TR Directory is the most viewed recreation therapy web site on the Internet.
Summary of: http://www.recreationtherapy.com/rt.htm