Worker Characteristics Good ability to speak and understand what other people say Ability to make decisions and solve problems Ability to gather information by talking to patients Ability to move the fingers quickly or accurately Ability to move the hands easily and skillfully Ability to mentally imagine what a finished art project should look like Ability to work with numbers Desire to help individuals with their physical needs Willingness to supervise others and be in charge of planning patientstherapy Willingness to perform a variety of tasks Recreational therapists should be comfortable working with disabled people. They must be patient but also persuasive. They need creativity when adapting activities to different patients. Physical Demands Frequently need to see nearby objects clearly, as when reading a chart Frequently use arms and hands to reach for and handle objects Frequently use fingers to pick up objects Frequently talk and listen to patients and other therapists Occasionally balance, stoop, kneel, and crouch while working Occasionally need to see the difference between colors Occasionally need to see distant objects clearly Occasionally lift and move objects that weigh up to 20 pounds or need to provide enough force to move a patient in a wheel chair Occasionally focus vision on one patient while still observing the surrounding patients Work Setting Recreational therapists work mainly indoors. When they work outside they are exposed to the weather.
Therapists usually have offices where they plan events and keep records.
They go to activity rooms to work with patients. They also work in recreation rooms or outside at a playing field or swimming pool. Therapists work closely with people of all ages who have varying degrees of disability. They generally work a 40-hour week. Some therapists work evenings, weekends, and holidays.