"Recreation Therapist"

Recreation Therapist

Duties and responsibilities: Recreation therapists employ leisure activities to help patients with disabilities or illnesses. Through the use of games, sports, crafts and more, they maintain their patients' physical and emotional well-being. In doing this, they also help patients integrate into their community via group activities. Recreation therapists might work in hospitals or other medical institutions, their community's parks and recreation department or specialized school programs.

Salary: As noted by the BLS, in May 2013, recreational therapists earned a median annual salary of $43,180. Skilled nursing care facilities employed the largest number of recreational therapists at that time, followed by medical and surgical hospitals (BLS). Employment of recreational therapists was predicted to grow 13% from 2012-2022, according to the BLS.

Education: A university education is essential to full time employment in the recreation: A therapy field today. And there are over 80 universities in the United States that provide programs of study leading to a bachelor’s degree. Many schools also provide graduate programs at the Masters and Doctoral level. To help anyone who wants to know where these educational programs are or what level of program is provided ATRA has developed a database that is searchable by state and by degree type from Certificate to Doctorate. Search for a program of any type in any state.

Demand for this profession: Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. These therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts; drama, music, and dance; sports and games; aquatics; and community outings to help maintain or improve a patient’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.