To
be a successful Therapeutic Recreation Specialist you should:
- Have a strong interest in helping others.
- Have the ability to inspire respect, trust, and confidence.
- Have patience and be tactful.
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| What
type of education and/or training do I need?
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.
Most employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified
therapeutic recreation specialists (CTRS). |
| Do
I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is not required in the State of Connecticut. |
| Where
can I get more information? American Therapeutic
Recreation Association
1414 Prince Street
Suite 204
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-9420 www.atra-tr.org
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| What
is the salary for this career? $25,871-$32,142
(Source: payscale.com,
based on national average) |
|
| What
will my job be like? Therapeutic recreation
specialists plan, direct, or coordinate medically approved
recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing
homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports,
trips, dramatics, social activities, and arts and crafts.
The therapeutic recreation specialist may assess a patient
condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.
Therapeutic recreation specialists help individuals reduce
depression, stress, and anxiety. They also help individuals
recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities,
build confidence, and socialize effectively to enable
greater independence, and reduce or eliminate the effects
of illness or disability. They help integrate people with
disabilities into the community by helping them use community
resources and recreational activities. |
| Where
could I work? Health care facilities will
provide a growing number of jobs in hospital-based adult
day care and outpatient programs and in units offering
short-term mental health and alcohol or drug abuse services.
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
clients on the accessibility of public transportation
and other public areas such as parks, playgrounds, swimming
pools, restaurants, and theaters.
Other workplace settings:
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Child and Adult Day Care Facilities
- Nursing Homes
- Rehabilitation Centers
- Home Health Care
- Transitional Programs
- Psychiatric Facilities
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| What
is the future of this career? Employment of
recreational therapists is expected to grow as fast as
the average through the year 2008. |
Where
can I get the education and/or training?
- Gateway Community College, New Haven
- Manchester Community College, Manchester
- Middlesex Community College, Middletown
- Mitchell College, New London
- Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winsted
- Norwalk Community College, Norwalk
- University of Connecticut, Storrs
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