O*NET-SOC 29-1125.00

Recreational Therapists

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 4 – Considerable preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresConsiderable skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Service Orientation2.B.1.f4.1208/2022
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.008/2022
Coordination2.B.1.b4.008/2022
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a4.008/2022
Speaking2.A.1.d4.008/2022
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a3.8808/2022

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2022
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2022
Speech Clarity1.A.4.b.54.008/2022
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.43.8808/2022
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.33.8808/2022
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.23.8808/2022

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.Core3808/2022
Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.Core3808/2022
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.Core3808/2022
Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.Core3808/2022
Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.Core3808/2022

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Social6.8611/2023
Investigative4.1711/2023
Realistic3.8211/2023
Artistic3.0311/2023
Enterprising2.5211/2023
Conventional2.511/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 4

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.