THERAPY AND REHABILITATION
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
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; enjoy working independently and as part of a team.
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
Average Annual Salary
$57,120 per year
What is the future of this career?
Employment of recreational therapists is projected to grow 4 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 1,400 openings for recreational therapists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Type of Education/Training
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).
Where could I get the education/training?
- Mitchell College
- Southern Connecticut State University
Licensing/Certification
Licensure is not required in the state of Connecticut.
More Information
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
4315 50th Street NW Suite 100 # 7369
Washington, DC 20016
(857) 776-2872
