What do they do?
- Work
in hospitals, rehabilitation centers,
long-term care facilities, park and
recreation departments, school districts,
adult day centers.
- Provide
treatment services and recreation activities
to individuals with disabilities, illnesses
or other disabling conditions.
- Treat
and maintain physical, mental and emotional
well-being of clients, using a variety
of techniques, including arts and crafts,
animals, sports, games, dance and movement,
drama, music and community outings.
- Help
reduce stress, depression and anxiety.
- Help
individuals recover basic motor functioning
and reasoning abilities, build confidence
and socialize more effectively.
- Assess
clients and develop and carry out therapeutic
interventions based on client’s
interests and needs.
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Education/Training
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- Challenging
high school courses in English, science
and math.
- Bachelor’s
degree in therapeutic recreation, or
in recreation with a concentration in
therapeutic recreation.
- Course
work includes assessment, treatment
and program planning, intervention design,
and evaluation; human anatomy, physiology,
abnormal psychology, medical and psychiatric
terminology, characteristics of illnesses
and disabilities, professional ethics,
and the use of assistive devices and
technology.
- National
certification (CTRS – Certified
Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) is
available through the National Council
for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
(NCTRC).
Specialists must have a bachelor’s
degree, pass a written certification
exam, and complete an internship of
at least 360 hours.
Beginning in 2003, the internship
requirement will be increased to 480
hours.
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Salary
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- Salaries
range from $17,010 to $43,810, with
the median $32,520 in hospitals and
$23,240 in nursing and personal care
facilities.
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Want to learn more about
working in healthcare? How about starting as a volunteer?
Volunteering can be a challenging and rewarding
experience. Learn more about our Volunteer
Services Program - click here!
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