Recreational Therapists Go Back to List 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.

Technology used in this occupation:
	Music or sound editing software

Tasks
	Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
	Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
	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.
	Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
	Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
	Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
	Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
	Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients themselves to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
	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.
	Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.

Skills
	Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
	Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
	Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
	Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
	Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
	Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
	Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
	Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
	Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
	Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Knowledge
	Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
	Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
	Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
	English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
	Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
	Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.
	Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
	Clerical - Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
	Medicine and Dentistry - Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
	Philosophy and Theology - Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.

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Education & Training   Education:   Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.   Related Experience:   A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

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Wage Information
	Region Average Entry Level  Mid-Range  Annual  Hourly  Statewide $64,695.00 $31.10  $20.91  $22.71 - $39.70  Bridgeport/Stamford $61,164.00 $29.41  $21.90  $22.52 - $31.86  Hartford $62,753.00 $30.17  $20.05  $22.61 - $40.45  New Haven $66,886.00 $32.16  $21.41  $24.63 - $42.26

Occupation Outlook ( 2016 - 2026 ) Average Annual Job Openings:   21   Employment in this occupation is expected to grow more slowly than average, and the number of annual openings will offer limited job opportunities.

Related Occupations
	Recreation Workers
	Residential Advisors
	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School
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	Health Educators
	Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
	Social and Human Service Assistants

	Some of the occupational information on this page is formulated from O*NETTM v17.0 data. O*NETTM is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.