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Healthcare

Recreational Therapists

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

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Recreational Therapists
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Median pay

$60,280
Median annual pay for Recreational Therapists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

3.3%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

1,300
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

16,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Recreational Therapists in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

Bachelor's degree
Typical education needed to enter Recreational Therapists.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

Strongest O*NET signals first.

Essential skills

  1. 1Active Listening
  2. 2Speaking
  3. 3Critical Thinking
  4. 4Reading Comprehension
  5. 5Writing
  6. 6Active Learning

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Psychology
  2. 2Therapy and Counseling
  3. 3Customer and Personal Service
  4. 4Education and Training
  5. 5English Language
  6. 6Sociology and Anthropology

Abilities

  1. 1Oral Comprehension
  2. 2Oral Expression
  3. 3Speech Clarity
  4. 4Deductive Reasoning
  5. 5Problem Sensitivity
  6. 6Written Comprehension

Career interests

  1. 1Social
  2. 2Investigative
  3. 3Realistic
  4. 4Artistic
  5. 5Conventional
  6. 6Enterprising

Work styles

  1. 1Empathy
  2. 2Cooperation
  3. 3Optimism
  4. 4Social Orientation
  5. 5Dependability
  6. 6Sincerity

Work activities

  1. 1Assisting and Caring for Others
  2. 2Thinking Creatively
  3. 3Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  4. 4Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  5. 5Documenting/Recording Information
  6. 6Getting Information

Work context

  1. 1Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  2. 2Contact With Others
  3. 3E-Mail
  4. 4Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
  5. 5Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  6. 6Physical Proximity

Representative tasks

  • Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
  • Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
  • Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
  • Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.

Software and tools

Microsoft Office software · in demandMicrosoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Outlook · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyAvid Technology SibeliusEmail softwareHyperscoreMakeMusic FinaleMusical instrument digital interface MIDI softwarePatient electronic medical record EMR softwareSpeech recognition software

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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