Recreational Therapists
Recreational therapists 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. They may assess a patient's condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.
A Recreational therapist is someone who use various modalities including arts and crafts, drama, music, dance, sports, aquatics, or community outings to plan, direct, and coordinate recreation-based treatment programs in order to help systematically reduce depression, stress, and anxiety, recover basic physical and mental abilities, build confidence and socialize effectively.
A bachelors’ degree in recreational therapy or related fields like recreation and leisure studies is required to become a recreational therapist. While Bachelor’s degree programs usually include an internship, other therapy programs like courses in assessment, human anatomy, medical and psychiatric terminology are added qualifications that can aid in furthering growth and promotion possibilities. Recreational therapists may often be required to work with physicians, surgeons, nurses, psychologists or social workers.
Most recreational therapists find jobs at hospitals, nursing care facilities, government and corporates and in ambulatory healthcare services, working full time, and while most of the time it is a table job, they may sometimes be required to travel depending on the patient's needs. A recreational therapist salary can anywhere be between $30,000 to $70,000 per annum, depending on their qualification, experience and their workplace.
For a successful career as a recreational therapist, you require to possess additional skills like being a team worker and a good communicator.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- B.R.Sc Rehabilitation Science
- M.R.Sc Rehabilitation Science
- Diploma Rehabilitation Science
Tasks
- Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- 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.
- Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
- Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
- Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
- 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.
- Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
Progression Routes
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