Therapeutic Recreation Specialist Career & Jobs: Training, Salary & Certification Requirements

Although when most people think of physical and mental therapy they usually think about low light doctor’s offices and frustrating episodes where your limbs will simply not do what they are supposed to, some of the most important types of therapy are conducted in settings that are not nearly as serious or complex. Sometimes the best thing for people who have been in a traumatic or hazardous situation to do is simply relax and be allowed to express their feelings though art, music or other recreational means. The professionals that are assigned the responsibility of guiding a patient through this alternative type of therapy is known as the therapeutic recreation specialist, and they are tasked with evaluating patient needs and devising creative plans for that patient to overcome their physical or emotional disabilities.

Salary Outlook

Average Annual Salary
$35,600
Salary Range
$26,500 - $41,400

Work Environment

Because therapeutic recreational specialists are required to be flexible and work with their clients in a setting that is the most comfortable for them, it is not uncommon for many therapeutic recreational specialists to interact with their patients outside, in art studios or musical theatres. In most cases the specialist is employed by hospitals or rehabilitation centers that focus on alternative forms of treatment.

High School Preparation

Those individuals that think they might enjoy the responsibilities of a therapeutic recreational therapist are encouraged to spend their high school career increasing their knowledge of biology, psychology, and social science. Other supporting course work includes sociology, English, computer skills, physical education, child/adult counseling, and speech. It can be useful for some high school students to spend time volunteering at a community center or hospital to get used to interacting with the patient types they would be working with.

Requirements

Following graduation from high school, those students who would like to pursue the career of a therapeutic recreational specialist are required to enroll in an accredited program for therapeutic recreation at a traditional college or university. In some settings, such as nursing homes, it might also be possible to find a job with only an associate’s degree in occupational therapy assisting with a concentration in recreational therapy. Following completion of all training and educational requirements, many students pursue certification which is offered by National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

Career Outlook

Although the increasing size of the elderly populations mean that there is an increased need for qualified therapeutic recreational specialists, many of these same institutions have been forced to cut programming that is seen as less than vital to the health and well being of the patients, given the current downturn of the economy.

Professional Organizations

American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA)
1313 Prince Street, Suite 204
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: (703) 683-9420
www.atra-tr.org