AHEC Connecticut
THERAPY & REHABILITATION - Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
To be a successful Therapeutic Recreation Specialist you should...
- have a strong interest in helping others
- have the ability to inspire respect, trust, and confidence
- enjoy working independently and as part of a team
What will my job be like?
Therapeutic recreation specialists 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. The therapeutic recreation specialist may assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.
Therapeutic recreation specialists help individuals reduce depression, stress, and anxiety. They also help individuals recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities, build confidence, and socialize effectively to enable greater independence, and reduce or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. They help integrate people with disabilities into the community by helping them use community resources and recreational activities.
Where could I work?
Health care facilities will provide a growing number of jobs in hospital-based adult day care and outpatient programs and in units offering short-term mental health and alcohol or drug abuse services. Recreational therapists provide services in special activity rooms but also plan activities and prepare documentation in offices. When working with clients during community integration programs, they may travel locally to instruct clients on the accessibility of public transportation and other public areas such as parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, restaurants, and theaters.
Other workplace settings:
- Mental Health Agencies
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Child and Adult Day Care Facilities
What is the average annual salary?
$44,000
What is the future of this career?
Employment of recreational therapists is expected to grow slower than average through 2014. In nursing care facilities — the largest industry employing recreational therapists — employment will grow slightly faster than the occupation as a whole as the number of older adults continues to grow.
What type of education and/or training do I need?
A bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation, or in recreation with a concentration in therapeutic recreation, is the usual requirement for entry-level positions. Persons may qualify for paraprofessional positions with an associate degree in therapeutic recreation or a health care-related field. An associate degree in recreational therapy; training in art, drama, or music therapy; or qualifying work experience may be sufficient for activity director positions in nursing homes.
Most employers prefer to hire candidates who are certified therapeutic recreation specialists (CTRS).
Where can I get the education and/or training?
- Gateway Community College, New Haven
- Manchester Community College, Manchester
- Middlesex Community College, Middletown
- Mitchell College, New London
- Northwestern Connecticut Community College, Winsted
- Norwalk Community College, Norwalk
- University of Connecticut, Storrs
Do I need a license or certification for this career?
Licensure is not required in the state of Connecticut.
Where can I get more information?
American Therapeutic
Recreation Association
1414 Prince Street, Suite 204
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 683-9420
www.atra-tr.org