SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS

Recreational Therapists

What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.

  • Activities Coordinator
  • Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
  • General Activities Therapist
  • Recreation Therapist
  • Recreational Therapist
  • Recreational Therapy Program Coordinator
  • Rehabilitation Therapist
  • Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

What do Recreational Therapists do?

Recreational Therapists are trained professionals who utilize recreational activities to improve the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social functioning of individuals facing various challenges. They work with clients across diverse settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and community organizations, helping to enhance their quality of life. Through the implementation of tailored therapeutic interventions that may include sports, games, arts and crafts, and outdoor activities, Recreational Therapists aim to promote recovery, develop life skills, foster social connections, and encourage personal growth. Their work often involves assessment of clients' needs, designing individual treatment plans, facilitating group activities, and monitoring progress, all while advocating for the importance of leisure as a vital component of holistic health. Recreational Therapists play a crucial role in the overall wellness of individuals, supporting them in achieving fulfillment and independence through meaningful recreational pursuits.

What the work actually is

  • 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.

Skills employers expect

Skills

  • Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Active Listening Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

  • Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Knowledge

  • Psychology Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
  • Therapy and Counseling Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
  • Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Education and Training Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  • English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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How people get into it

Education of new hires

Bachelor's degree
Post-baccalaureate certificate
Awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Baccalaureate degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of Master
Master's degree

A normal week

  • Assisting and Caring for Others
  • Thinking Creatively
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
  • Documenting/Recording Information

Tools used on the job

Technology

  • Electronic mail software Email software · Microsoft Outlook
  • Presentation software Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Music or sound editing software Avid Technology Sibelius · Hyperscore · MakeMusic Finale · Steinberg Cubase Pro
  • Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
  • Medical software Patient electronic medical record EMR software

Tools

  • Wheelchairs Motorized wheelchairs · Racing wheelchairs
  • Pianos Electronic keyboards
  • Canoes or kayaks Canoes · Kayaks
  • Cassette players or recorders Audio tape recorders
  • Patient lifts Patient hoists

Who it suits

Social

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Investigative

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

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Questions people ask

How much do Recreational Therapists earn in South Africa?

Recreational Therapists salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.

What do Recreational Therapists do?

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 and 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.

How do I know if this career fits me?

Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.