Recreational Therapists

What Does a Recreational Therapists Do?

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.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• 1Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
• 2Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
• 3Plan, organize, direct, and participate in treatment programs and activities to facilitate patients' rehabilitation, help them integrate into the community, and prevent further medical problems.
• 4Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
• 5Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
• 6Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
• 7Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
• 8Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.

Required Skills

• Active Listening
• Speaking
• Reading Comprehension
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Avid Technology Sibelius
• Email software
• Hyperscore
• MakeMusic Finale
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Office software
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Word
• Musical instrument digital interface MIDI software

Recreational Therapists Salary