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Recreational Therapists

SOC 29-1125.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers recreational therapists working across inpatient rehabilitation, long-term care, outpatient, and community integration settings, from entry-level clinical practice through executive program leadership.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Patient needs assessments — conduct under direct supervision by reviewing medical records and gathering intake information in an inpatient rehabilitation setting.
  2. Therapeutic activity instructions — deliver pre-designed protocols for art, music, or relaxation techniques to individual patients under a supervising therapist's guidance.
  3. Treatment session observations — document patients' participation and reactions using standardized forms during structured group therapy sessions.
  4. Treatment team communications — attend interdisciplinary meetings and report basic patient observations to senior clinicians in a clinical care environment.
  5. Leisure activity counseling — introduce patients to recreational options and encourage engagement using scripted prompts under close supervisory oversight.
  6. Patient information gathering — collect background data from family members and medical staff using structured interview guides in a hospital or rehabilitation facility.
  7. Electronic health records — enter session notes and basic patient data accurately using medical software under direct supervision in a clinical setting.
  8. Therapy session support — assist senior therapists in organizing and facilitating group activities designed to improve physical or psychological well-being.
  9. Treatment plan components — draft initial goal statements for review and approval by a supervising therapist based on completed needs assessments.
  10. Office technology tools — prepare session schedules and activity materials using word processing and spreadsheet software in a therapeutic services department.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Individualized treatment plans — develop goal-oriented plans based on needs assessments, patient interests, and therapy objectives with limited supervisory review in a community health setting.
  2. Therapeutic activity facilitation — plan and lead sports, dance, music, art, and relaxation sessions tailored to patients' physical and psychological needs across a routine caseload.
  3. Progress monitoring — observe, analyze, and record patient responses during sessions and apply standard modification protocols when treatment goals are not being met.
  4. Interdisciplinary collaboration — confer regularly with treatment team members to coordinate therapy planning and communicate patient progress in a multi-disciplinary care environment.
  5. Community integration programming — organize structured activities that help patients transition from inpatient care to community participation with reduced supervisory direction.
  6. Leisure activity development — counsel patients on identifying and sustaining personally meaningful leisure pursuits that support long-term health and social engagement.
  7. Medical record interpretation — extract relevant clinical information from patient records and translate findings into evidence-informed therapeutic goals within a rehabilitation facility.
  8. Patient communication — apply active listening and social perceptiveness skills to engage patients of diverse backgrounds in goal-setting conversations during individual sessions.
  9. Written clinical documentation — compose progress notes, session summaries, and assessment reports using medical and word processing software in compliance with facility standards.
  10. Time and caseload management — organize daily schedules and prioritize therapy appointments across a moderate caseload in an outpatient or long-term care setting.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Comprehensive treatment program design — independently plan, organize, and direct multimodal therapy programs addressing complex rehabilitation, community integration, and preventive health goals across diverse patient populations.
  2. Non-routine clinical assessment — synthesize information from medical records, multidisciplinary staff, and patients with complex co-occurring conditions to formulate nuanced, individualized therapy objectives.
  3. Advanced therapeutic instruction — deliver evidence-based interventions across a full range of modalities — including adaptive sports, expressive arts, and mindfulness techniques — adapting methods to patients' evolving functional status.
  4. Dynamic treatment modification — analyze patient behavioral and physiological responses across multiple sessions and restructure treatment protocols autonomously in response to unexpected clinical developments.
  5. Complex interdisciplinary problem-solving — lead clinical case conferences with physicians, social workers, and psychologists to resolve ambiguous or high-acuity patient care challenges in acute or specialty care settings.
  6. Community reintegration planning — design and implement individualized discharge and reintegration programs that link patients to community resources and preventive recreational services.
  7. Persuasive patient engagement — apply motivational interviewing and persuasion techniques to overcome patient resistance and build sustained commitment to therapeutic leisure goals.
  8. Outcome measurement and reporting — design session tracking systems using spreadsheet and medical software tools to analyze caseload-level progress data and inform clinical decision-making.
  9. Evidence-based practice application — critically evaluate therapeutic recreation research and incorporate current findings into program design within a structured healthcare or rehabilitation environment.
  10. Cross-cultural therapeutic adaptation — modify activity selection, communication style, and therapeutic framing to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of patients across a heterogeneous clinical population.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Therapeutic recreation program strategy — set the clinical and programmatic vision for a therapeutic recreation department, establishing standards of care aligned with organizational and regulatory requirements.
  2. Staff development and clinical supervision — mentor and supervise emerging and developing recreational therapists, providing structured feedback and building competency across the full therapeutic recreation scope of practice.
  3. Organizational treatment framework — design and institutionalize assessment, treatment planning, and documentation systems that ensure evidence-based, person-centered care delivery across a multi-site or large facility operation.
  4. Interdisciplinary leadership — represent therapeutic recreation at executive-level care coordination committees, advocating for the profession's role in integrated patient outcomes within a health system or network.
  5. Quality improvement and outcome evaluation — lead department-wide quality improvement initiatives, analyzing aggregate patient outcome data to drive continuous program refinement and demonstrate clinical value.
  6. Policy and standards development — author internal clinical policies, credentialing standards, and professional practice guidelines governing recreational therapy practice across an organization or system.
  7. Stakeholder and community partnership — negotiate and build sustained partnerships with community organizations, funders, and public health entities to extend therapeutic recreation services beyond institutional settings.
  8. Workforce learning strategy — design and deliver advanced training curricula, continuing education programs, and onboarding frameworks that elevate evidence-based practice across the therapeutic recreation workforce.
  9. Budget and resource stewardship — oversee departmental budgets, technology procurement — including medical software and adaptive equipment — and staffing allocation to sustain high-quality service delivery within financial constraints.
  10. Professional and public advocacy — represent the therapeutic recreation profession to external audiences — including policymakers, accreditation bodies, and the public — advancing awareness of recreational therapy's contribution to population health.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. AI-assisted documentation drafting — uses an AI tool to generate first-draft session notes and progress summaries from therapist-provided bullet points, then reviews and corrects each entry before filing Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Treatment plan scaffolding — directs an AI assistant to compile activity options and therapeutic interventions aligned with a patient's assessed needs, then applies clinical judgment to select and sequence the final plan Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Resource curation support — delegates literature searches on therapeutic recreation techniques to an AI tool, evaluating returned sources for clinical relevance before integrating findings into group or individual sessions WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Session observation synthesis — feeds structured therapist notes on patient participation and reactions into an AI assistant to identify progress patterns across sessions, then interprets the output to adjust individualized treatment programs Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Community integration planning — orchestrates AI-generated activity schedules and accessibility checklists against patient goals, retaining ownership of all goal-setting and risk decisions that require social perceptiveness and clinical reasoning WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  3. Time-savings reallocation — offloads high-volume administrative tasks such as outcome tracking templates and scheduling drafts to AI tools, redirecting the recovered time toward direct patient interaction and hands-on therapeutic instruction Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Outcome monitoring automation — designs and maintains an AI-assisted data pipeline that aggregates participation metrics across a caseload, then applies recreational therapy expertise to translate aggregate trends into evidence-informed program modifications Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
  2. Institutional workflow authorship — leads the development of department-wide protocols governing how AI tools are used for assessment documentation and treatment planning, embedding safeguards that protect the therapeutic relationship and patient dignity WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab. Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 83
Augment share: 8.3%
Time saved: 80.4%
AI autonomy: 3.44
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Service Orientation
Score: 57.3 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication10 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient intake communication — collects basic health history and leisure interests through guided interview with supervision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Session instruction delivery — explains simple recreational activity steps using clear verbal directions to individual patients O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Treatment progress documentation — writes session observation notes describing patient participation and reactions in standardized chart format Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary communication — shares patient updates with nursing and therapy team members during scheduled case conferences O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Family communication — conveys therapy goals and patient progress to family members using accessible, non-clinical language Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Therapeutic instruction communication — delivers individualized activity instruction across modalities such as art, music, and adaptive sports while adjusting language to patient cognitive level Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Treatment plan communication — presents assessment findings and proposed recreational therapy interventions clearly in written and verbal formats to multidisciplinary teams O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Active listening in therapy sessions — attends to verbal and nonverbal patient cues during sessions to identify shifts in engagement, distress, or readiness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Community reintegration communication — counsels patients on articulating leisure needs and self-advocacy strategies for community participation settings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Program communication leadership — authors department-wide documentation standards and trains new therapists in clinical writing and family communication protocols Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership9 statements
Emerging
  1. Session facilitation initiation — leads single-patient recreational therapy activities under direct supervision while maintaining a structured therapeutic environment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Activity coordination support — assists senior therapists in organizing group therapy schedules and material preparation O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Group session leadership — independently facilitates small therapeutic group activities such as movement, art, or relaxation groups while managing group dynamics Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Treatment initiative — proposes activity modifications to supervisors based on observed patient responses and documented progress data O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Treatment program direction — plans, organizes, and leads comprehensive recreational therapy programs aligned with individual patient rehabilitation goals Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Interdisciplinary team contribution — takes initiative in treatment team meetings to advocate for recreational therapy interventions that address unmet patient needs O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Staff guidance — mentors therapy aides and student interns in patient interaction techniques and session facilitation standards Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Departmental program leadership — directs facility-wide recreational therapy programming, sets quality benchmarks, and leads continuous improvement initiatives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional advocacy — represents recreational therapy's clinical value to hospital administration and external stakeholders, influencing resource allocation and policy Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition8 statements
Emerging
  1. Self-assessment of facilitation skills — identifies personal strengths and gaps in activity instruction after supervised sessions with prompting from supervisors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Learning strategy awareness — recognizes which patient populations or modalities require additional study and seeks out relevant training resources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Session reflection practice — reviews session notes and outcome data after each encounter to evaluate the effectiveness of chosen therapeutic activities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Bias recognition in assessment — monitors own assumptions about patient capability or interest when conducting needs assessments and adjusts approach accordingly Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Therapeutic approach calibration — evaluates the alignment between selected intervention strategies and patient progress data, adjusting cognitive frameworks when outcomes plateau Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Knowledge gap identification — proactively identifies limits in clinical knowledge regarding specific diagnoses and pursues targeted continuing education to address them Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice modeling — structures formal peer reflection processes within the therapy department to promote collective clinical self-awareness and evidence-based adjustment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Metacognitive coaching — guides patients in developing self-awareness of their own engagement patterns and emotional responses during recreational therapy activities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking9 statements
Emerging
  1. Assessment data interpretation — reviews medical records and intake information to identify basic patient capabilities and contraindications under supervisor guidance O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Activity suitability reasoning — evaluates whether a proposed recreational activity is appropriate given a patient's physical and psychological status with support Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Needs assessment analysis — synthesizes information from medical records, patient interviews, and family input to identify functional deficits and therapy priorities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Treatment modification reasoning — analyzes patient participation and reaction data during sessions to determine when and how to modify therapeutic activities O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Evidence-based treatment planning — evaluates available therapeutic modalities against patient diagnosis, goals, and interests to construct individualized, clinically justified treatment plans Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Risk-benefit analysis — assesses physical, psychological, and social risks of proposed recreational activities for patients with complex or co-occurring conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Progress evaluation — critically examines session observation records and outcome measures to determine whether therapy goals are being met or require revision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Program efficacy evaluation — applies systematic outcome analysis across patient cohorts to identify which therapeutic approaches produce the strongest rehabilitation results and guides program redesign Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Clinical reasoning mentorship — teaches other therapists structured frameworks for analyzing ambiguous patient presentations and selecting defensible intervention strategies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Interdisciplinary team participation — attends treatment team meetings, listens actively, and contributes basic patient observations when prompted Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Co-facilitation support — assists occupational or physical therapists in joint sessions by managing materials and providing patient encouragement O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Treatment team coordination — shares recreational therapy assessment findings with physicians, social workers, and nurses to align goals across disciplines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Family and caregiver collaboration — partners with family members to identify patient leisure history and incorporate meaningful activities into therapy planning O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Integrated care collaboration — contributes recreational therapy expertise to joint treatment planning with physical, occupational, and speech therapy colleagues to create cohesive rehabilitation pathways Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Community resource collaboration — coordinates with community organizations, adaptive sports programs, and leisure services to support patient transition and social reintegration O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict navigation in team settings — addresses disagreements about patient care priorities constructively within the treatment team by centering shared patient outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Interdisciplinary program design — co-leads the development of facility-wide integrated rehabilitation programs with team members across multiple clinical disciplines Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Collaborative model building — establishes formal collaboration protocols between recreational therapy and community agencies to create sustainable post-discharge leisure networks for patients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character9 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient confidentiality adherence — handles patient records, session observations, and personal disclosures in compliance with HIPAA and facility privacy policies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional boundary awareness — recognizes appropriate therapeutic relationship boundaries with patients and seeks guidance when boundary concerns arise Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical treatment delivery — respects patient autonomy and informed consent when proposing recreational therapy activities, honoring the right to decline participation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cultural humility in practice — acknowledges personal cultural biases and actively adjusts activity selection and facilitation style to honor patient cultural backgrounds and values Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Accountability in documentation — accurately records patient participation, progress, and adverse reactions without omission or distortion, even when outcomes reflect poorly on prior decisions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Advocacy for vulnerable patients — identifies and raises concerns about patient welfare, neglect, or inadequate care through appropriate clinical and administrative channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Professional integrity in team settings — maintains honest communication about patient progress and therapy limitations in interdisciplinary discussions, resisting pressure to overstate outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethical culture leadership — models and reinforces ethical standards across the therapy department, addressing lapses in professionalism or patient dignity through direct and constructive feedback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Equity-centered practice advocacy — identifies systemic barriers to recreational therapy access for underserved patient populations and pursues institutional changes to promote equitable care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Activity adaptation initiation — modifies standard recreational activities such as adapted art or chair-based movement with supervisor guidance to accommodate individual patient limitations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Novel engagement exploration — experiments with unfamiliar therapeutic modalities such as horticulture therapy or virtual reality recreation when introduced by supervisors O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Individualized activity design — independently creates customized recreational activities that align a patient's personal interests with specific therapeutic objectives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Engagement strategy innovation — develops creative solutions to patient resistance or low motivation by reframing activities in personally meaningful contexts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Multimodal program creation — designs therapy programs that integrate music, movement, visual arts, and nature-based activities into coherent treatment sequences responsive to evolving patient needs Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Adaptive equipment innovation — engineers improvised or repurposed materials to enable patient participation in recreational activities when standard adaptive equipment is unavailable Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Community reintegration activity design — creates novel pathways for patients to engage in meaningful leisure activities within their specific community contexts post-discharge O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Program innovation leadership — pilots and evaluates new evidence-informed recreational therapy modalities at the facility level, institutionalizing those demonstrating clinical benefit Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-disciplinary creative integration — collaborates with artists, musicians, and community partners to develop original therapeutic experiences unavailable through traditional clinical programming Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Feedback receptivity — receives supervisor feedback on session facilitation and patient interaction skills without defensiveness and attempts adjustments in subsequent sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Challenge acceptance in clinical learning — engages with unfamiliar patient populations or diagnoses as opportunities to build new therapeutic competencies Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Continuing education pursuit — independently seeks out workshops, certifications, or literature on emerging recreational therapy techniques relevant to current caseload challenges Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Setback reframing — analyzes sessions where patient progress stalled to extract lessons about intervention timing, activity selection, or therapeutic relationship factors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Evidence integration — incorporates findings from recreational therapy and rehabilitation research into practice, updating techniques when evidence contradicts current approaches Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Patient perseverance modeling — communicates the value of effort and incremental progress to patients experiencing frustration or regression during rehabilitation, drawing on growth mindset principles Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Peer learning engagement — actively participates in clinical supervision, peer consultation, and case review processes to accelerate professional growth Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Learning culture cultivation — builds a department-wide environment where therapists share clinical failures, celebrate incremental learning, and pursue ongoing professional development as a collective norm Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Research contribution — contributes to recreational therapy knowledge by participating in clinical research, presenting at professional conferences, or publishing case-based findings Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Present-moment session attention — maintains focused observation of patient nonverbal cues and engagement signals during therapy activities rather than attending to administrative distractions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional awareness in patient interactions — notices own emotional reactions when working with distressed or challenging patients and pauses before responding Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Intentional therapeutic presence — enters each patient session with deliberate attention to that individual's current state, setting aside assumptions from prior sessions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Stress regulation during complex sessions — applies self-regulation strategies to maintain composure and clinical focus when patients exhibit agitation, grief, or crisis behavior Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Mindfulness-based intervention delivery — instructs patients in relaxation, breathing, and mindfulness techniques as components of recreational therapy treatment for anxiety, pain, or stress management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Attentional flexibility in group facilitation — monitors multiple patients simultaneously during group sessions, shifting attention responsively to emerging needs without losing overall group awareness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Therapeutic alliance maintenance — sustains empathic, nonjudgmental presence across long-term patient relationships, recognizing when personal fatigue or frustration is affecting the therapeutic dynamic Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Mindfulness program integration — designs and leads facility-wide mindfulness-based recreational therapy curricula, training clinical staff in delivery and measuring patient wellness outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Burnout prevention modeling — demonstrates and teaches sustainable self-care and attentional regulation practices to therapy staff, reducing turnover and compassion fatigue in the department Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Adversity tolerance in clinical exposure — maintains professional composure when first encountering patients with severe physical disability, cognitive impairment, or emotional distress Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Persistence through slow patient progress — continues delivering structured therapeutic sessions when patient outcomes are unclear or improvement is minimal in the short term Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Caseload resilience — sustains consistent quality of care across a full and varied caseload that includes patients with complex, co-occurring, or treatment-resistant conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous clinical advocacy — raises concerns about inadequate patient care or inappropriate treatment team decisions despite potential interpersonal discomfort Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Long-term rehabilitation commitment — maintains therapeutic optimism and structured goal pursuit with patients undergoing extended rehabilitation with uncertain prognosis Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Uncertainty navigation — continues making sound clinical decisions in ambiguous situations where patient diagnosis, prognosis, or appropriate intervention is not clearly defined Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. End-of-life care engagement — provides meaningful recreational therapy programming to patients in palliative or hospice contexts, sustaining presence and purpose under emotionally demanding conditions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Systemic change persistence — sustains multi-year advocacy for recreational therapy program expansion, funding, or policy recognition despite institutional resistance or resource constraints Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Resilience mentorship — coaches junior therapists through emotionally difficult patient losses, ethical dilemmas, and professional setbacks, modeling adaptive coping and sustained commitment to the profession Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Show O*NET source anchors61 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

Suggest an O*NET correction

Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Activities Coordinator · Activities Therapist · Activity Therapist · Adventure Therapist · Certified Recreational Therapist · Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) · Creative Arts Therapist · Dance Therapist · Drama Therapist · Ecotherapist · General Activities Therapist · Horticultural Therapist
RAPIDS apprenticeships
—
O*NET skills
Service OrientationActive ListeningCoordinationSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingCritical ThinkingInstructingWritingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingPersuasionActive LearningLearning StrategiesMonitoringTime ManagementNegotiationJudgment and Decision MakingSystems EvaluationSystems Analysis
Knowledge domains
PsychologyTherapy and CounselingCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageSociology and AnthropologyAdministration and ManagementMedicine and DentistryPublic Safety and Security
Abilities
Oral ExpressionSpeech ClarityOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningWritten ComprehensionSpeech RecognitionInductive ReasoningInformation Ordering
Work styles
EmpathyCooperationOptimismSocial OrientationDependabilitySincerity
Technology
Music or sound editing softwareElectronic mail softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareWord processing softwareMedical softwareVoice recognition softwareInternet browser software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Instruct patient in activities and techniques, such as sports, dance, music, art, or relaxation techniques, designed to meet their specific physical or psychological needs.
  2. Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients' mental and physical well-being.
  3. 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.
  4. Observe, analyze, and record patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
  5. Develop treatment plan to meet needs of patient, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
  6. Obtain information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients, themselves, to assess patients' capabilities, needs and interests.
  7. Confer with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs.
  8. Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
CIP education codes
51.2309

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.