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| Recreational Therapists |
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| Employment Increase: |
40% |
| People In Field: |
42,000 |
| Average Salary: |
$26,835 |
| Qualifications: |
Bachelor's Degree |
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Nature of the Work:
Recreational therapists employ activities to treat or
maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of
patients. Activities include sports, games, dance, drama, arts
and crafts, and music, as well as field trips for sightseeing,
ball games, or picnics. They help individuals build
confidence, socialize effectively, and remediate the effects of illness or
disability. Recreational therapists should not be confused
with recreation workers, who organize recreational activities
primarily for enjoyment.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement:
A bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation (or in
recreation with an option in therapeutic recreation) is the
usual requirement for hospital and other clinical positions. 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.
Job Outlook:
Employment of recreational therapists is expected to
grow faster than the average for all occupations through the
year 2005, because of anticipated expansion in long-term
care, physical and psychiatric rehabilitation, and services for
the disabled. There will be approximately 42,000
recreational therapists by 2005.
Sources of Additional Information:
For information on how to order materials describing careers and academic
programs in recreational therapy, write to:
American Therapeutic Recreation Association
c/o Associated Management Systems
PO Box 15215
Hattiesburg, MS 39402-5215
National Therapeutic Recreation Society
2775 S. Quincy St., Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22206-2204
Certification information may be obtained from:
National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification
PO Box 479
Thiells, NY 10984-0479
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