Detailed Guide forRecreational Therapists in Kings CountyMay also be called: Activity Coordinators; Activity Directors; Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists; Recreation Therapists; Rehabilitation Therapists; Therapeutic Recreation Specialists
What Would I Do?
Recreational Therapists provide treatment services and recreation activities to individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Therapists treat and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of clients using a variety of techniques, such as music, arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, social activities, and community outings. Therapists help individuals reduce depression and anxiety. They also help individuals recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities, build confidence, and socialize effectively to enable greater independence as well as reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. Recreational Therapists also help integrate people with disabilities into the community by helping them use community resources and recreational activities.
Therapists regularly evaluate the patient’s progress and effectiveness of the treatment plan. They work closely with the entire health care team, such as physicians, nurses, and psychologists when planning and modifying the patient’s treatment program.
Important Tasks and Related Skills
Each task below is matched to a sample skill required to carry out the task.
| View the skill definitions |
| Task | Skill Used in this Task |
|---|
| Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed. | Psychology |
| Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities. | Therapy and Counseling |
| Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests and objectives of therapy. | Customer and Personal Service |
| Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs. | Speaking |
| 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. | Persuasion |
| Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs. | Critical Thinking |
| 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. | Coordination |
|
Skill Definitions
Below is a definition for each skill.
| View the tasks to skills list |
| Skill | Definition |
|---|
| 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. |
| Speaking | Talking to others to convey information effectively. |
| Persuasion | Persuading others to change their minds or behavior. |
| Critical Thinking | Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. |
| Coordination | Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. |
|
Working Conditions
Recreational Therapists provide services in special activity rooms but also plan activities and prepare documentation in offices. They work in psychiatric or general hospitals, nursing homes, schools, correctional facilities, or other institutions. When working with clients during community integration programs, they may travel locally to instruct the clients regarding the accessibility of public transportation and other public areas, such as parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, restaurants, and theaters.
Recreational Therapists generally work a 40-hour week that may include some evenings, weekends, and holidays. They may lift and carry heavy equipment involved in their recreational activities.
There has been little or no unionization of Recreational Therapists. However, those who work for the State of California may join the Service Employees International Union.
Will This Job Fit Me?
The job of Recreational Therapist may appeal to those who enjoy communicating with and assisting others. Recreational Therapist occupations involve helping and being of service to people. They also involve teaching, offering advice, and promoting learning and personal development.
Recreational Therapists should be comfortable working with persons who are ill or who have disabilities. They must be patient, tactful, and persuasive when working with people who have a variety of special needs. Ingenuity, a sense of humor, and imagination are needed to adapt activities to individual needs, and good physical coordination is necessary to demonstrate or participate in recreational activities.
What Wages and Benefits Can I Expect?
Wages
The median wage in 2021 for Recreational Therapists in California was $83,307 annually, or $40.06 hourly. The median is the point at which half of the workers earn more and half earn less.
Benefits
Benefits generally include medical, dental, life, and vision insurance as well as vacation, sick leave, and retirement plans. Recreational Therapists who are self-employed must provide their own benefits and retirement.
What is the Job Outlook?
Recreational Therapists may experience slower growth in overall employment. However, the continued growth in the number of older adults is expected to increase the need for those who work in nursing care facilities, community care facilities for the elderly (including assisted-living facilities), adult day care programs, and other social assistance agencies. Job opportunities are also expected in residential and outpatient settings that serve disabled persons or those diagnosed with mental retardation, mental illness, or substance abuse problems. Transitional and home health care programs will provide additional jobs.
Projections of Employment
In California, the number of Recreational Therapists is expected to grow slower than average growth rate for all occupations. Jobs for Recreational Therapists are expected to increase by 5.9 percent, or 100 jobs between 2018 and 2028.
Estimated Employment and Projected Growth
Recreational Therapists |
|---|
Geographic Area
(Estimated Year-Projected Year) | Estimated
Employment | Projected
Employment | Numeric
Change | Percent
Change | Total Job
Openings |
|---|
California
(2018-2028) | 1,700 | 1,800 | 100 | 5.9 | 950 |
|
| View Projected Growth for All Areas |
How Do I Qualify?
Education, Training, and Other Requirements
A bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, or in recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation, is the usual requirement for entry-level recreational therapy positions.
Early Career Planning
High school preparation courses in art, music, drama, or athletics, are an asset for many jobs. Part-time or volunteer work as an activity coordinator, playground leader, or relief counselor in a nursing home, recreation center, mental health facility, or camp for persons with disabilities provides valuable skills and experience.
Work Study Programs
The California Department of Developmental Services offers students a paid internship in recreation therapy at some of their developmental centers. The program is a 720-hour program and is certified by the California Board of Recreation and Park Certification (CBRPC) and the National Therapeutic Recreation Society (NTRS). The program is designed to provide interns with the opportunity to put into practice the concepts and practices they learned in school.
California also offers Regional Occupational Programs (ROP) for Recreational Therapists. One such program is titled Therapeutic Recreation/Recreational Therapy. To find an ROP program near you, go to the California Association of Regional Occupational Centers and Programs Web site.
Continuing Education
Continuing education is required for individuals certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). Additionally, it is important for Recreational Therapists to keep their skills current by taking additional college courses and attending workshops and conferences.
Certification
Most employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified. The NCTRC offers a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist credential. The California Board of Recreation and Park offers a Recreation Therapist certificate.
Most employers require Therapists to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or basic life support (BLS).
For more information, go to the U.S. Department of Labor's Career InfoNet Web site and scroll down to "Career Tools." Click on "Certification Finder" and follow the instructions to locate certification programs.
Where Can I Find Training?
There are two ways to search for training information:
- Search by Field of Study to find what programs are available and what schools offer those programs. You may use keywords such as: Recreation, Therapeutic Recreation, and Recreational Therapy.
- Search by Training Provider to find schools by name, type of school, or location.
Contact the schools you are interested in to learn about the classes available, tuition and fees, and any prerequisite course work.
Where Would I Work?
The largest industries employing Recreational Therapists are as follows:
| Industry Title | Percent of Total Employment for Occupation in California |
|---|
| Psychiatric & Substance Abuse Hospitals | 27.8% |
| State Government | 17.5% |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | 13.5% |
| Community Care Facility for the Elderly | 10.1% |
| Federal Government | 5.9% |
|
Finding a Job
Direct application to employers remains one of the most effective job search methods. Students can also find employment opportunities through placement offices at colleges and universities. Those working within the industry may recommend an interested candidate for jobs. Newspaper classified ads and the Internet provide additional sources for job listings. Online job opening systems include JobCentral at www.jobcentral.com and CalJOBSSM at www.caljobs.ca.gov.
To find your nearest One-Stop Career Center, go to Service Locator. View the helpful job search tips for more resources. (requires Adobe Reader).
Yellow Page Headings
You can focus your local job search by checking employers listed online or in your local telephone directory. Below are some suggested headings where you might find employers of Recreational Therapists.
- Assisted Living and Elder Care Services
- Community Care Facilities
- Counseling Services
- Hospitals
- Mental Health Services
- Nursing and Convalescent Homes
- Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals
- Psychotherapists
- Residential Care Facilities
Find Possible Employers
To locate a list of employers in your area, go to "Find Employers" on the Labor Market Information Web site:
- Select one of the top industries that employ the occupation. This will give you a list of employers in that industry in your area.
- Click on "View Filter Selections" to limit your list to specific cities or employer size.
- Click on an employer for the street address, telephone number, size of business, Web site, etc.
- Contact the employer for possible employment.
Where Could This Job Lead?
With additional education and experience, Recreational Therapists may advance to supervisory or administrative positions. Some teach, conduct research, or consult for health or social services agencies. Some may explore self-employment.
Related Occupations
Below is a list of occupations related to Recreational Therapists with links to more information.
| Occupation | Occupational
Guide | Industry
Report | Occupational
Profile |
|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Guide | | |
| Occupational Therapists | Guide | | |
| Physical Therapists | Guide | | |
| Recreation Workers | Guide | | |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | | | Profile |
Other Sources
These links are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement by EDD.
For the Career Professional
The following codes are provided to assist counselors, job placement workers, or other career professionals.
