Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

A Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (TRS) plans, implements, and evaluates recreation and leisure programs designed to improve physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning for clients across settings such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, community agencies, schools, and outpatient clinics. The TRS applies evidence-based leisure education, activity-based interventions, adaptive recreation techniques, and community integration strategies to support client-centered goals and measurable outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Recreation therapy assistant / activity aide in long-term care or rehabilitation
Recent graduate with a B.S. or B.A. in Therapeutic Recreation or Recreation Therapy
Volunteer or intern in community recreation, adaptive sports, or hospital activity programs

Advancement To:

Lead/Clinical Therapeutic Recreation Specialist
CTRS Supervisor or Program Coordinator (Adaptive Recreation Program Manager)
Director of Recreation Therapy / Director of Therapeutic Services
Clinical Supervisor in interdisciplinary rehabilitation programs

Lateral Moves:

Case Manager or Rehabilitation Services Coordinator
Community Integration Specialist / Disability Services Coordinator
Activities Director in senior living or assisted living

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive leisure, functional, and psychosocial assessments using standardized tools (e.g., FIM, Leisure Diagnostic Battery, TR Assessments) and clinical interviews to establish individualized therapeutic recreation goals and measurable treatment plans aligned with the interdisciplinary care plan.
Develop, document, and implement individualized treatment plans that utilize therapeutic recreation modalities (group and individual interventions, leisure education, adaptive sports, arts, horticulture, aquatic therapy) to address physical, cognitive, emotional, and social goals.
Facilitate structured therapeutic groups and individual sessions that promote mobility, endurance, balance, cognition, social skills, community participation, and quality of life—tailoring activities to diagnoses such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, mental health disorders, developmental disabilities, and geriatric conditions.
Monitor and document client progress toward goals using objective outcome measures and standardized documentation in the electronic medical record (EMR) or charting system; adjust plans of care based on measurable outcomes and interdisciplinary input.
Train, supervise, and delegate appropriate responsibilities to recreation therapy assistants, volunteers, and student interns; provide ongoing performance feedback and maintain compliance with staffing ratios and program standards.
Coordinate discharge planning and community reintegration by linking clients to community resources, adaptive recreation providers, transportation services, and support groups to ensure continuum of care and sustained leisure engagement.
Provide adaptive equipment evaluations and recommend/modifiy assistive devices, environmental adaptations, and activity modifications to maximize safety, independence, and participation for clients with mobility or cognitive limitations.
Collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams—including occupational therapy, physical therapy, nursing, social work, and case management—to integrate recreational therapy interventions into overall rehabilitation goals and to participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
Design, develop, and manage recreational schedules, specialty programs, and community outings; manage risk assessments, transportation logistics, participant consent, and staffing for off-site activities.
Create and implement behavior management strategies and sensory modulation plans for clients with behavioral health needs, autism spectrum disorders, dementia, or challenging behaviors to promote safe participation and therapeutic benefit.
Lead evidence-based leisure education workshops (e.g., leisure planning, stress management, community access, social skills training) and document learning outcomes and skill generalization in natural environments.
Conduct outcome measurement and program evaluation using quantitative and qualitative methods; prepare summary reports for leadership demonstrating program effectiveness, utilization, and impact on patient-centered outcomes.
Participate in clinical care conferences, family meetings, and patient/family education sessions to provide expertise on leisure therapy goals, community resources, and safe activity progression.
Maintain compliance with regulatory, accreditation, and facility standards (e.g., CARF, CMS, state licensing) for therapeutic recreation services, including documentation, staff training, and safety protocols.
Manage program supplies, equipment inventory, and budget for therapeutic recreation activities; identify opportunities for cost savings, equipment grants, and community partnerships to expand program offerings.
Provide crisis intervention and emergency response when necessary; maintain current certifications (CPR, First Aid) and follow facility protocols for incident reporting and follow-up.
Develop targeted programs for special populations (pediatrics, geriatrics, mental health, veterans, individuals with developmental disabilities), adapting interventions to culturally and developmentally appropriate practices.
Advocate for client access to leisure and community participation by addressing systemic barriers, collaborating with community providers, and assisting with reasonable accommodations under ADA and other relevant policies.
Promote continuous professional development by staying current with research and best practices in recreation therapy, therapeutic modalities, adaptive sports, and community-based inclusive recreation programs.
Support quality improvement initiatives by collecting, analyzing, and presenting data related to patient satisfaction, functional gains, readmission rates, and community participation outcomes.
Build and maintain partnerships with community organizations, recreation centers, adaptive sports programs, and volunteer groups to expand referral networks and post-discharge recreation opportunities for clients.
Design specialized therapeutic interventions such as structured cognitive stimulation, leisure skill acquisition, motor planning groups, and social integration activities tailored to individual and group treatment objectives.
Provide culturally competent care by assessing client values, preferences, and leisure backgrounds, and by integrating culturally relevant activities and communication strategies into therapy planning.

Secondary Functions

Assist leadership with program marketing, outreach, and grant proposal development to increase program visibility and secure funding for adaptive equipment and specialty programming.
Maintain and report utilization metrics, waiting lists, and program capacity to department leadership; support strategic planning and resource allocation for therapeutic recreation services.
Participate in risk management meetings, safety audits, and equipment maintenance schedules to ensure safe operation of recreational and therapeutic equipment.
Mentor new staff and participate in staff education sessions on therapeutic recreation interventions, documentation best practices, and behavior support strategies.
Support research initiatives by participating in pilot projects, clinical studies, or quality improvement research related to leisure interventions and patient outcomes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) credential or eligibility (certification through NCTRC) — widely preferred or required for clinical roles.
Conducting standardized leisure and functional assessments (e.g., Leisure Diagnostic Battery, Functional Independence Measure, Brooks or Allen cognitive levels).
Treatment planning and clinical documentation in Electronic Medical Records (EMR), including SOAP notes, progress notes, and discharge summaries.
Group facilitation and individual intervention techniques for therapeutic recreation across diagnoses (stroke, TBI, mental health, developmental disabilities, geriatrics).
Adaptive equipment assessment and modification (wheelchairs, adaptive sports equipment, assistive devices, environmental ramps).
Leisure education curriculum design, community reintegration planning, and adaptive sports programming.
Behavioral health strategies and crisis intervention techniques (de-escalation, positive behavior supports, sensory modulation).
CPR, First Aid, and basic life support certifications and knowledge of emergency response protocols.
Program evaluation, outcome measurement, and data-driven reporting methods (pre/post testing, patient-reported outcomes, utilization metrics).
Grant writing, community partnership development, and resource mapping for community-based programming.
Risk assessment, transportation logistics coordination, and safety planning for off-site community activities.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, educate families, and prepare professional documentation.
Empathy, patience, and client-centered approach to build rapport and motivate clients across a range of functional abilities and cultural backgrounds.
Leadership and supervision skills to mentor assistants, manage volunteers, and lead group programming effectively.
Critical thinking and clinical reasoning to adapt interventions based on client response, safety concerns, and evolving treatment goals.
Time management and organizational skills to balance caseload, documentation deadlines, and program planning responsibilities.
Cultural competence and sensitivity to work respectfully with diverse populations and to design inclusive leisure opportunities.
Problem-solving and creativity in designing adaptive activities that meet therapeutic goals within resource constraints.
Teamwork and collaboration to participate in care planning, discharge coordination, and interdisciplinary goal setting.
Resilience and stress tolerance for managing challenging behaviors, variable schedules, and occasional heavy caseloads.
Coaching and motivational techniques to encourage skill acquisition, adherence, and sustained engagement in healthy leisure pursuits.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Recreation Therapy, Recreational Science, or closely related field; CTRS certification required or strongly preferred.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Rehabilitation Counseling, Kinesiology, Occupational Therapy, or a related clinical field for advanced clinical or leadership roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Therapeutic Recreation / Recreation Therapy
Kinesiology / Exercise Science
Psychology / Counseling
Social Work / Rehabilitation Counseling
Occupational Therapy / Physical Therapy (cross-trained clinicians)
Gerontology / Special Education

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of clinical therapeutic recreation experience for entry-to-mid level roles; 5+ years for senior or program leadership positions.

Preferred:

Prior experience delivering recreation therapy in clinical settings (inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facility, mental health, pediatrics) and demonstrated experience with interdisciplinary collaboration.
CTRS certification through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) or state-specific credentialing; willingness to obtain certification within a specified timeframe if hired.
Experience with EMR documentation systems, outcome measurement tools, program evaluation, and supervising staff or volunteers.