If you love helping people who are disabled or suffering from the long-term effects of illness or injury, then a career in recreational therapy might be right for you.
Recreational therapists are an important part of the healthcare community and generally find their work very rewarding.
The demand for this position has been on the rise, so there is no better time than the present for anyone interested in providing this valuable service to enroll in schools and graduate to work in this important but underrated profession.
What Recreational Therapists Do
A typical job description can include helping patients such as people with physical and mental disabilities, elderly patients, children with developmental disabilities, people with emotional disabilities, and more.
The main importance of the work lies in the use of recreational activities (games, arts and crafts, dance, sports, games, excursions and other activities) that promote the active and interested participation of the patient.
These activities help improve and maintain physical strength, motor function and coordination, social skills, and emotional well-being. By helping those in need to learn the same things that other people learn and to feel included in society, therapists play an important role in enabling people with many different challenges to lead happier and more productive lives.
Nursing facilities and skilled nursing facilities employ many recreational therapists. Others find work in regular hospitals and surgical facilities. In addition, many find employment in state and private facilities for psychiatric care and substance abuse.
Depending on the type of facility that employs a person, the salary ranges from approximately $ 25,000 a year to more than $ 63,000 a year. Currently, the median salary for recreational therapists is just over $ 40,000 a year.
Becoming a Recreational Therapist
The requirements have changed recently. Today, there are two ways in which one can become a certified and licensed recreational therapist: graduating from accredited programs or through a work experience certification, although the former is much preferred.
Associate degree programs exist, but students should be warned that they are being phased out; As a result, most employers are looking for graduates with the minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
There are also master’s and doctoral programs that are also available to those who want to maximize their education, but professionals do not need to have those degrees to obtain certification, licensing, and employment.
Although it is not possible to obtain a basic degree online, many programs offer portions online; However, continuing education and advanced degrees can sometimes be done in an online format.
As with almost any other profession in the health and medical profession, attending only accredited programs is essential for students to be assured that they are obtaining the most desired and current training.
Failure to attend an accredited institution can affect a prospective recreational therapist’s ability to become certified, which can then negatively affect their marketability for job openings; Most facilities looking for recreational therapists are interested in hiring only certified individuals.
For this reason, it is strongly recommended that students confirm the accreditation status of a program before enrolling. The Committee on Accreditation of Recreational Therapy Education (CARTE) oversees the accreditation of recreational therapy programs.
Certification and license
To obtain legal employment as a recreational therapist, individuals must receive a recreational therapy certification and then apply for licensure within their state.
The certification of these professionals is coordinated and overseen by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC), and there are multiple paths that can be taken to obtain certification as a recreational therapist.
Although most people attend college and graduate from one of the many dedicated educational programs that are available, some candidates may be certified if they have a bachelor’s degree that is not specific to recreational therapy, but includes a certain amount. from recreational therapy courses, and also have work experience in the field.
Students who meet the certification requirements and pass the certification exam are awarded the title of Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists, at which point they can apply for a license and then seek employment.
Job growth is slightly higher than the general job group, with estimates that the profession will grow at a rate of 17 percent in the next few years (compared to 14 percent for jobs overall).
This means that students who meet your educational requirements and are certified and licensed as needed should have little difficulty finding employment in their career.
For those who are compassionate and enjoy helping those who need help in their daily lives, a career in recreational therapy can be a great option.