Recreational Therapists

Career summary

Recreational therapists may also be called therapeutic recreation specialists.

Recreational therapists engage clients in a variety of activities, including:

• Arts and crafts
• Drama
• Music
• Dance
• Sports
• Field trips

Recreational therapists also offer instruction in stretching and breathing techniques. They talk with patients to help ease any depression, stress, or anxiety. Their goal is to keep clients physically and mentally healthy. They plan activities around clients' interests as well as their needs.

Recreation therapists work in a variety of settings, including:

• Hospitals
• Nursing homes
• Rehabilitation centers
• Assisted living facilities
• Parks and recreation departments

Some recreational therapists work with people who have disabilities. They help clients learn social skills and other skills required to live independently. They also help them learn to use resources such as a public transportation system or community recreation centers.

Recreational therapists usually work with other health care workers including doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and physical and occupational therapists to set up a treatment plan. They review medical records and also talk to family members. They keep detailed records and write reports.

Related careers

This career is part of the Health Science cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Art Therapists
• Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
• Music Therapists
• Occupational Therapists
• Physical Therapists
• Recreation Workers
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• School Counselors
• Social Workers
• Special Education Teachers
• Speech Pathologists and Audiologists

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to recreational therapists.

• Make changes in patients' treatment when needed.
• Talk with patients about their needs, abilities, and interests in order to develop their treatment plan.
• Create treatment plans for patients that include several different activities.
• Help patients become interested in leisure activities and developing new skills.
• Talk about patients' treatment with doctors, nurses, and other related health care workers.
• Hold therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
• Instruct patients in activities designed to help them feel better, such as sports, gardening, music, or art.
• Gather information from medical records, family members, and other medical staff.
• Plan and participate in patients' treatment programs and activities.
• Prepare reports on patients' activities and progress.

Common work activities

Recreational therapists perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Assist and care for others
• Document and record information
• Schedule work and activities
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Get information needed to do the job
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Think creatively
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Use computers
• Coach others
• Develop and build teams
• Develop goals and strategies
• Communicate with people outside the organization
• Guide, direct, and motivate others
• Perform for or work with the public
• Evaluate information against standards
• Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Teach others
• Perform administrative tasks
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Handle and move objects
• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Monitor and control resources

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, recreational therapists:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social contact with patients and other workers.
• Communicate with coworkers and patients daily in person, by telephone, or e-mail.
• Work in a group or as part of a team.
• Deal with patients who may be violent from drugs or are psychologically disturbed on a daily basis.
• Are substantially responsible for the health and safety of patients.
• Communicate with coworkers and patients weekly by letters and reports.
• Often deal with unpleasant or angry people.
• Are often placed in conflict situations.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other therapists and assistants.

Physical work conditions

• Work indoors and outdoors.
• Are often exposed to diseases or infections from patients. They may wear safety attire in these instances.
• Work very near patients. They often work within inches of other people.
• Are sometimes exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.

Work performance

• Must be sure that their work is accurate. Errors could seriously endanger patients' health.
• Repeat the same tasks and physical activities.
• Often make decisions that affect patients. They may act independently, but often consult others before deciding a new course of action.
• Are usually able to set their tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor.
• Must meet strict daily deadlines.

Hours/travel

• Generally have a set schedule each week.
• May work part time or full time, but most work 40 hours a week.
• May work evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Physical demands

Recreational therapists frequently:

• Stand for long periods of time.

It is important for recreational therapists to be able to:

• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for recreational therapists to be able to:

• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Move arms and legs quickly.

Skills and abilities

Recreational therapists need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Listen to others and ask questions.
• Write clearly so other people can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
• Think of original, unusual, or creative ways to solve problems.
• Think of new ideas about a topic.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Manage the time of self and others.
• Check how well one is learning or doing something.
• Motivate, develop, and direct people as they work.
• Go back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information without becoming confused.

Work with people

• Be aware of others' reactions and understand the possible causes.
• Look for ways to help people.
• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.
• Teach others how to do something.
• Solve problems by bringing others together to discuss differences.
• Use several methods to learn or teach new things.
• Persuade others to approach things differently.

Perceive and visualize

• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Recreation Therapy

Other programs of study to consider

• Art Therapy
• Dance
• Exercise Science and Kinesiotherapy
• Music Therapy
• Occupational Therapy
• Outdoor Education
• Physical Therapy
• Pre-Health Services
• Recreation, Fitness, and Leisure Studies

Training

To work as a recreational therapist, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have a bachelor's degree in recreational therapy or adapted physical education.

Education after high school

Most recreational therapists have a bachelor's degree. Recreational therapy programs include courses in assessment, treatment, and program planning. They also teach anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology. These programs are available at community colleges and some universities.

On-the-job training

New therapists generally receive up to one month of training on the job.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum may be different from your state's graduation requirements.

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Computer Applications
• Introduction to Health Care
• Nursing
• Psychology

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Most employers prefer candidates who are certified therapeutic recreation specialists. Applicants should be patient and have good physical coordination. Employers prefer applicants who are comfortable working with people who are ill or have disabilities.

Some employers will hire recreational therapists who do not have any experience. Other employers prefer to hire recreational therapists who have one or two years of experience.

An internship of 600 hours is required by some employers. Therapists who teach and do research often must complete doctorate degrees. Some employers prefer applicants who have conducted an internship in a specialty area related to the position for which they are applying.

Tips

Find summer or part-time work as a therapy aide in a hospital, clinic, or summer camp. Recreational therapists should enjoy a variety of recreation and leisure activities as well as working with people. Being in good physical shape is also important, as this job requires stamina.

Costs to workers

Many therapists are certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification. The application fee is $100 and the exam is $325. The annual certification renewal and professional eligibility maintenance fees are $80 each. Recreational therapists usually supply their own lab coats and pay dues to a professional association.

#http://nctrc.org/documents/ProfessionalEligibilityApplicationInstructions.pdf  

#no changes to state or NCTRC fees, 3/5/10 lh or 4/5/11, 3/24/15 cj. Updated exam fee 1/10/17 cj. Fees/info same 3/19/19 cj.

Licensing/certification

Recreational therapists practicing in Washington must be registered with the Department of Health. Registration requirements include:

• completion of an application;
• answering person data questions:
• four-clock hours of AIDS/HIV prevention and information education; and
• payment of a fee.

For more information, contact:

Washington State Department of Health
Health Systems Quality Assurance
Office of Customer Service 
PO Box 47877
Olympia, WA 98504
360.236.4700

Certification is also offered by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification . To become certified, recreational therapists must:

• have a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation or in recreation with an option in therapeutic recreation from an accredited college or university, or
• meet equivalency requirements by one of two pathways;
• pass a written exam; and
• complete a 560-hour internship supervised by another certified therapist.

Therapists must earn continuing education credits to renew their certification every five years.

#Checked state licensing & nat'l registration 3/19/19 cj. 2/11/20

Job listings

Listed below are links to job categories from the National Labor Exchange that relate to this career. Once you get a list of jobs, you can view information about individual jobs and find out how to apply. If your job search finds too many openings, or if you wish to search for jobs outside of Washington, you will need to refine your search.

• Recreational Therapists 

To get a listing of current jobs from the WorkSource system, go to the WorkSource website .

Wages

Wages vary by employer, area of the country, and the therapists' level of experience.

Recreational therapists who work full time often receive benefits. Common benefits include health insurance, sick leave, and paid vacation.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

Major employers:

• Nursing homes
• Hospitals
• Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be steady. The growth of the aging population will increase the need for recreational therapists who treat age-related illnesses and injuries.

Rehabilitation, home health care, and programs for those with disabilities will create the most jobs. Job opportunities in hospitals will decline, as services shift to outpatient settings.

This occupation is very small so the total number of job openings will be low. However, some openings will occur as current therapists retire or leave this occupation for other reasons.

Other resources

American Dance Therapy Association 
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 108
Columbia, MD 21044
410.997.4040

American Horticultural Therapy Association 
2150 N 107th Street
Suite 205
Seattle, WA 98133
610.992.0020

American Therapeutic Recreation Association 
11130 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 350
Reston, VA 20191
703.234.4140

Association for Experiential Education 
PO Box 13246
Denver, CO 80201-4646

National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification 
16 Squadron Blvd., Suite 101
New City, NY 10956
845.639.1439

National Recreation and Park Association 
22377 Belmont Ridge Road
Ashburn, VA 20148
800.626.6772
703.858.0784

Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International 
PO Box 33150
Denver, CO 80233
800.369.7433

Therapeutic Recreation Directory 

Washington State Therapeutic Recreation Association 

References

Career cluster

• Health Science

Career path

• Social

O*Net  occupation

• Recreational Therapists (29-1125.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed. A minimum of two to four years of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations.

DOT occupations

• Art Therapist (076.127-010) 
• Dance Therapist (076.127-018) 
• Horticultural Therapist (076.124-018) 
• Music Therapist (076.127-014) 
• Recreational Therapist (076.124-014) 

Strong Interest Inventory

• Recreation Therapist

Holland occupational cluster

• Social/Artistic/Investigative

COPSystem

• Service Professional