Description
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. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.
Interests
- Social
- Investigative
Work Values
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Independence
Work Styles
- Concern for Others
- Cooperation
- Dependability
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Integrity
Tasks
- Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
- Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
- 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.
- 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.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Thinking Creatively
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Documenting/Recording Information
Detailed Work Activities
- Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Technology Skills
- Electronic mail software
- Presentation software
- Music or sound editing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Medical software
Abilities
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Problem Sensitivity
Skills
- Service Orientation
- Active Listening
- Coordination
- Social Perceptiveness
- Speaking
Knowledge
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
Most Common Education Level
The “Most Common Education Level” refers to the level of education held by the majority of workers in a given occupation. For example, if the highest percentage of workers in a role have an Associate’s Degree, that suggests this is the typical educational requirement. Knowing this helps you plan how many years of education you may need to pursue that career.
Certificates
Certificate name
Safety-Certified Riding Instructor - BasicCertifying Organization
American Association for Horsemanship Safety
Type
Core
Certificate name
Registered Dance/Movement TherapistCertifying Organization
American Dance Therapy Association
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Certified Riding Instructor - Level II (Instructor of Beginner through Intermediate)Certifying Organization
American Riding Instructors Association
Type
Core
Certificate name
Orthopedic Exercise Specialty CertificationCertifying Organization
American Council on Exercise
Type
Specialty
Certificate name
Activity Director - Provisionally CertifiedCertifying Organization
National Certification Council for Activity Professionals
Type
Specialty
Income Percentile
The income percentiles show how earnings are distributed within a profession. The 10th percentile means that 10% of workers earned less than that amount. The median (50th percentile) indicates that half of workers earned more, and half earned less. The 90th percentile reflects what the top 10% of earners in the field make.
| Income Percentile | Annual Income |
|---|---|
| Low (10%) | $43,748 |
| Median (50%) | $56,747 |
| High (90%) | $74,251 |
Income by Experience
This table shows how income typically grows with experience—from entry level (0–2 years), to mid-level (3–5 years), to senior level (6–8 years), to expert level (8+ years).
| Experience | Income |
|---|---|
Entry Level  | $56,679 |
| Mid Level | $66,414 |
| Senior Level | $71,658 |
| Expert Level | $92,846 |
Employability
There are currently 16,600 jobs in this career path. Over the next 10 years, that number is expected to increase to 17,300 positions, reflecting a projected growth of 4%.
The Projected Job Growth figure refers to the expected increase or decrease in employment within a specific career field over a certain period of time.
Projected Job Growth of 4%
Related Careers
The career information and data on this site incorporates information from O*NET Web Services, Lightcast, CareerOneStop, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). For more details regarding the data sources and the specific information sourced, click here.
Career Resources
Search All Careers
Compare Careers
Income Outlook
Career Pathways
Career Clusters
Job Suite Home
CV Templates
Resume Templates
Cover Letter Templates
All Templates
Job Resources
Blog Articles
Podcast