Overall employment of recreational therapists is expected
to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations, but
employment of therapists who work in community care facilities
for the elderly and in residential mental retardation, mental
health, and substance abuse facilities should grow faster than
the average.
Opportunities should be best for persons with a bachelor’s
degree in therapeutic recreation, or in recreation with a concentration
in therapeutic recreation.
Recreational therapists should be comfortable working with
persons who are ill or who have disabilities.
Nature of the Work
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 workers, who organize recreational activities
primarily for enjoyment.
In acute health care 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 recreational 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 day care, 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.
Working Conditions
Recreational therapists provide services in special activity
rooms, but also plan activities and prepare documentation
in offices. When working with clients during community integration
programs, they may travel locally to instruct the clients
regarding the accessibility of public transportation and other
public areas, such as parks, playgrounds, swimming pools,
restaurants, and theaters.
Therapists often lift and carry equipment, as well as lead
recreational activities. Recreational therapists generally
work a 40-hour week that may include some evenings, weekends,
and holidays.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
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 health care 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 150 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.
Although certification is usually voluntary, 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. Some States require
licensure or certification to practice recreational therapy.
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.
Employment
Recreational therapists held about 24,000 jobs in 2004. About
6 out of 10 were in nursing care facilities and hospitals.
Others worked in State and local government agencies and in
community care facilities for the elderly, including assisted-living
facilities. The rest worked primarily in residential mental
retardation, mental health, and substance abuse facilities;
individual and family services; Federal Government agencies;
educational services; and outpatient care centers. Only a
small number of therapists were self-employed, generally contracting
with long-term care facilities or community agencies to develop
and oversee programs.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of recreational therapists is expected
to grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through
the year 2014. 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. Among these settings are community care facilities
for the elderly (including assisted-living facilities); residential
mental retardation, mental health, and substance abuse facilities;
and facilities that provide individual and family services
(such as day care 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. Opportunities also should
be good for therapists who hold specialized certifications,
for example, in, aquatic therapy, meditation, or crisis intervention.
Health care facilities will support a growing number of jobs
in adult day care and outpatient programs offering short-term
mental health and alcohol or drug abuse services. Rehabilitation,
home health care, 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 day
care programs, and other social assistance agencies. Continued
growth also is expected in community residential care facilities,
as well as in day care programs for individuals with disabilities.
Earnings
Median annual earnings of recreational therapists were $32,900
in May 2004. The middle 50 percent earned between $25,520
and $42,130. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,130,
and the highest 10 percent earned more than $51,800. In May
2004, median annual earnings for recreational therapists were
$28,130 in nursing care facilities.
Related Occupations
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
workers, and rehabilitation
counselors.
Sources of Additional Information
For information on how to order materials describing careers
and academic programs in recreational therapy, contact:
American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 1414 Prince
St., Suite 204, Alexandria, VA 22314-2853. Internet: http://www.atra-tr.org/
