Recreation Therapist

Recreation Therapist

Duties and Responsibilities:

Recreational therapists plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs for people with disabilities, injuries, or illnesses. Recreational therapists use a variety of modalities, including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, games, and community reintegration field trips to help maintain or improve a patient’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.

SALARY:

The median annual wage for recreational therapists was $42,280 in May 2012. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $26,410, and the top 10 percent earned more than $67,280.

Education:

Most recreational therapists need a bachelor’s degree in recreational therapy or a related field. Though less common, associate’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees are also available. Recreational therapy programs include courses in assessment, human anatomy, medical and psychiatric terminology, characteristics of illnesses and disabilities, and the use of assistive devices and technology. Bachelor’s degree programs usually include an internship.

Demand for this profession:

Recreational therapists will experience competition for jobs. A bachelor’s degree in therapeutic recreation is the usual requirement for entry-level positions. Recreational therapists should be comfortable working with persons who are ill or who have disabilities.

Add a picture or two:

Reflection: No I wouldn’t want to be one because it looks lame.