If you love to help people who are either disabled or who suffer from the long-term effects of illness or injury, then a career in recreational therapy may be suitable for you.
Recreational therapists are an important part of the health care professional community and usually find their jobs to be very helpful.
The demand for this position is growing, so there is no better time than the present for anyone interested in providing this valuable service for entering schools and graduates to work in this important, but undervalued profession.
What do recreational therapists do
A typical job description may include care for patients, such as the physically and mentally retarded, elderly patients, children with disabilities, persons with emotional disabilities, and more.
The main value of the work lies in the use of recreation - games, arts and crafts, dance, sports, games, field trips and other activities - facilitating the active and interested participation of the patient.
These activities help to 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 students have ever had, and to feel included in society, therapists play an important role in preventing people with many different problems to lead a happier and more productive life.
There are many recreational therapists in medical care and qualified medical institutions. Others find work in ordinary hospitals and surgical facilities. In addition, many find jobs in public and private institutions for mental health and substance abuse.
Depending on what type of object a person works on, salaries range from about $ 25,000 per year to $ 63,000 per year. Currently, the average salary for recreational therapists is just over $ 40,000 a year.
Become a recreational therapist
Requirements have recently changed. Today there are two ways to become a certified and licensed recreational therapist who must either complete an accredited program or obtain a certificate of work, although the former is much more preferable.
There are special programs with a bachelor's degree, but students should be warned that they gradually stop; most employers are looking for graduates with a minimum of a bachelor's degree as a result.
There are also master and doctoral programs that are also available for those who want to fully study their education, but for specialists it is not necessary that these degrees become certified, licensed and working.
Although it is not possible to get a basic degree online, many programs offer online ports; However, continuing education and advanced degrees can sometimes be done in an online format.
As in any other profession in the medical and medical profession, achieving only accredited programs is essential so that students are confident that they will benefit from the most desired and current training.
Failure to participate in an accredited institution may affect the ability of a potential recreational therapist to obtain certification, which may then adversely affect their competitiveness for job offers; Most objects seeking recreational therapists are interested in hiring only certified individuals.
For this reason, it is strongly recommended that students confirm the accreditation status of the program prior to their registration. Accreditation Committee for Recreational Therapy (CARTE) overseas accreditation of recreational therapy programs.
Certification and licensing
To become legally employed as a recreational therapist, people must obtain certification of recreational therapy, and then apply for licensing within their state.
The certification of these specialists is coordinated and supervised by the National Certification Recreation Certification Council (NCTRC), and there are several ways that you can take to obtain certification as a recreational therapist.
Although most people attend college and graduate from one of the many specialized educational programs that are available, some candidates can get certified if they have a bachelor's degree that is not specific to recreational therapy, but includes a certain amount of recreational therapy and They have experience in this field.
Students who meet certification requirements and pass a certification exam, then receive the title of certified therapeutic recreational specialists, after which they can apply for a license and then look for a job.
Employment growth is slightly higher than the total pool of vacancies, with estimates that the profession will grow at a rate of 17 percent over the next few years (versus 14 percent of jobs in general).
This means that students who fulfill their educational requirements and receive certification and licensing as needed should not have difficulty finding a job in their career.
For those who are compassionate and love to help those who need help in everyday life, a career in recreational therapy can be an excellent option.
