Recreational Therapists :: Job Description

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Recreational Therapists

Careers / Recreational Therapists

Summary Description


	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. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Activities Director

2.	Activity Assistant

3.	Activity Coordinator

4.	Activity Director

5.	Activity Therapist

6.	Adventure Therapist

7.	Art Therapist

8.	Certified Recreational Therapist

9.	Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

10.	Child Life Therapist

11.	Creative Arts Therapist

12.	Dance Therapist

13.	Director of Therapeutic Activities

14.	Director of Therapeutic Recreation

15.	Drama Therapist

16.	Ecotherapist

17.	General Activities Therapist

18.	Horticultural Therapist

19.	Music Therapist

20.	Music Therapist (Rehabilitation)

21.	Recreation Director

22.	Recreation Therapist

23.	Recreational Therapist

24.	Recreational Therapy Aide

25.	Recreational Therapy Technician

26.	Rehabilitation Therapist

27.	Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

28.	Therapeutic Riding Instructor

29.	Therapeutic Specialist

30.	Therapist

Job Tasks

	Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being. Treat patients using psychological therapies.

	Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed. Monitor patient progress or responses to treatments. Record patient medical histories.

	Plan, organize, direct and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community and prevent further medical problems. Develop treatment plans that use non-medical therapies.

	Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests and objectives of therapy. Develop treatment plans that use non-medical therapies.

	Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression. Prepare reports summarizing patient diagnostic or care activities. Inform medical professionals regarding patient conditions and care.

	Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients themselves to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests. Gather medical information from patient histories. Collect medical information from patients, family members, or other medical professionals.

	Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities. Provide health and wellness advice to patients, program participants, or caregivers.

	Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs. Train patients, family members, or caregivers in techniques for managing disabilities or illnesses.

	Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs. Collaborate with healthcare professionals to plan or provide treatment.

	Encourage clients with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening. Encourage patients or clients to develop life skills.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Recreational Therapists
	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.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Recreational Therapists
	Recreational therapists work in a variety of settings. Most therapists work full time.

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Robert Redford's father was a milkman.

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