Career Advice for a Recreational Therapist

As a Recreational Therapist, you will use leisure activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and music to help individuals improve their physical, emotional, and mental health.

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How to Become a Recreational Therapist

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Recreational Therapist

Should you wish to work as a Recreational Therapist you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Recreational Therapist

  • A Degree in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or a related field.
  • Experience working with individuals with disabilities or mental health issues.
  • Certification from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) is preferred.

Key Responsibilities for a Recreational Therapist

  • Assessing clients' needs and developing individualized treatment plans.
  • Leading therapeutic activities and programs.
  • Evaluating clients' progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed.
  • Collaborating with other healthcare professionals to provide comprehensive care.
  • Maintaining accurate and up-to-date client records.
  • Continuing education to stay current on new therapeutic techniques and research.

What to expect as a Recreational Therapist

As a Recreational Therapist in the UK, you could work in a variety of settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, and community centres.

You will be responsible for developing and implementing therapeutic activities that promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.

Recommended Recreational Therapist Jobs

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How to get Recreational Therapist Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Recreational Therapist job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Recreational Therapist application. If you have not held a Recreational Therapist position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Recreational Therapist role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Recreational Therapist CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Recreational Therapist application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Recreational Therapist in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Recreational Therapist 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Recreational Therapist and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Recreational Therapist experience.

How to get Recreational Therapist Experience

What does it take to be a Recreational Therapist? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Recreational Therapist jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Recreational Therapist through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Recreational Therapist Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Recreational Therapist part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Recreational Therapist or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Recreational Therapist freelance work

If you have impressive Recreational Therapist qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.