Recreational Therapists

Recreational Therapists typically perform the following 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. • Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests. • Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs. • Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities. • 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. • Prepare and submit reports and charts to treatment team to reflect patients' reactions and evidence of progress or regression. • Develop discharge plans for patients.