Recreation Therapist Resume Examples (Template & 20+ Tips)

Welcome to our Recreation Therapist Resume Example article. Here, we provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to craft a resume that will make you stand out from the competition. We'll provide tips on how to highlight your experience, qualifications, and skills to capture the attention of potential employers. We'll also provide an example resume to help you get started. With our guidance, you'll be sure to put together a strong resume that will help you land the job.

We will cover:

How to write a resume, no matter your industry or job title.
What to put on a resume to stand out.
The top skills employers from every industry want to see.
How to build a resume fast with our professional Resume Builder.
What a resume template is, and why you should use it.

Plus, we will provide expert resume writing tips and professional examples to inspire you.

What does a Recreation Therapist do?

A Recreation Therapist is a type of health care professional who develops and implements recreation and leisure activities to improve the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of individuals with disabilities or illnesses. As a Recreation Therapist, you would assess the needs of your clients and design activities to help them reach their maximum potential. You would also provide education on the importance of leisure and recreation activities as part of a healthy lifestyle.

We’re about to begin, but first, here are some other Recreation Therapist related resume examples:

What are some responsibilities of a Recreation Therapist?

Designing, implementing, and evaluating recreational therapy plans to meet patient needs
Developing leisure education programs for patients
Educating patients and their families on the benefits of recreation therapy
Facilitating recreational activities to improve physical and cognitive functioning
Monitoring and documenting patient progress
Collaborating with other medical professionals to ensure the best care for patients

Sample Recreation Therapist Resume for Inspiration

Recreation Therapist

Personal Details:
Name: John Smith
Address: 123 Main Street, Anytown, USA
Phone: 0987654321
Email: johnsmith@example.com

John Smith is an experienced Recreation Therapist with a Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy and over five years of professional experience in the field. He has worked in a range of settings, including nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, and community centers. John is passionate about helping others reach their highest potential through recreational activities and has a deep knowledge of therapeutic modalities and techniques.

Work Experience:

Recreation Therapist, Anytown Community Center, Anytown, USA (2015-Present)
- Develop and implement recreational activities for the elderly, disabled, and patients with mental health conditions.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans and maintain detailed records of patient progress.
- Provide counseling and support to patients and families.
- Provide education and resources to patients and families about recreational therapy.
Recreation Therapist, Anytown Nursing Home, Anytown, USA (2013-2015)
- Developed and implemented therapeutic recreation programs for nursing home residents.
- Assisted in the assessment of patients and developed individualized treatment plans.
- Provided counseling and support to patients and families.
- Collaborated with other healthcare professionals to ensure optimal patient care.

Education:
Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy, Anytown University, Anytown, USA, 2013

Skills:

Therapeutic recreation techniques and modalities
Patient assessment and treatment planning
Counseling and support
Behavior management
Organizational and communication skills

Certifications:
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

Languages:
English (fluent)

Resume tips for Recreation Therapist

Creating a perfect, career-launching resume is no easy task. Following general writing rules can help, but it is also smart to get advice tailored to your specific job search. When you’re new to the employment world, you need Recreation Therapist resume tips.
We collected the best tips from seasoned Recreation Therapist - Check out their advice to not only make your writing process easier but also increase your chances of creating a resume that piques the interest of prospective employers.

Highlight any certifications or licenses you have obtained as a Recreation Therapist.
Mention any special skills or knowledge you possess that might be beneficial to the job.
Include any awards or recognition you have received in the field.
Include any experience you have working with people with disabilities or special needs.
List any volunteer work or community service you have done that is related to Recreation Therapy.

Recreation Therapist Resume Summary Examples

A Recreation Therapist Resume Summary or Resume Objective can be used to highlight your unique qualifications and career goals. By providing a brief overview of your qualifications, experience, and goals, a summary or objective can help you stand out from other candidates and catch the attention of potential employers. Additionally, it can help you focus your resume on the most important information and make it easier for employers to quickly identify the value you can bring to their organization.

For Example:

Experienced Recreation Therapist with 5+ years of experience in physical therapy, holistic health, and recreation therapy. Skilled in group, individual, and family counseling services.
Recreation Therapist with excellent patient care skills and 5+ years of experience in adaptive physical education, art therapy, and recreation therapy.
Recreation Therapist with a passion for providing quality care to individuals with physical, mental, and emotional disabilities. 5+ years of experience in recreation therapy, communication skills, and working with children.
Recreation Therapist with 5+ years of experience in behavioral health, psychology, and recreation therapy. Creative problem-solver with excellent customer service skills and strong communication skills.
Dedicated Recreation Therapist with 5+ years of experience in recreation therapy, patient care, and therapeutic recreation. Skilled in developing treatment plans, providing support to patients, and collaborating with healthcare teams.

Build a Strong Experience Section for Your Recreation Therapist Resume

Building a strong experience section on a recreation therapist resume is important for showcasing your qualifications and accomplishments related to the job. It is one of the first things employers look at when evaluating candidates, and a well-crafted experience section can make the difference between getting an interview or not. It can also provide employers with a better understanding of the types of recreational therapy services you are able to provide. Having a strong experience section on your resume will also demonstrate your commitment to the field of recreational therapy and make you stand out from other candidates.

For Example:

Provided recreation therapy services to a variety of clients in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
Developed individualized treatment plans for clients based on assessment findings.
Led small and large groups in leisure activities, with emphasis on increasing physical and mental well-being.
Conducted leisure education sessions to teach clients how to access, utilize, and enjoy leisure activities.
Implemented interventions designed to improve physical, cognitive, and social functioning.
Collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to ensure comprehensive care for clients.
Assisted clients with physical disabilities in activities of daily living, such as bathing and feeding.
Planned and coordinated special events to promote recreational and leisure activities.
Provided individual counseling sessions to help clients improve social, interpersonal, and leisure skills.
Assessed recreational needs and preferences of clients to ensure meaningful leisure experiences.

Recreation Therapist resume education example

Recreation therapists typically need a bachelor’s degree in recreation therapy, therapeutic recreation, recreational therapy, or a related field. Coursework typically includes anatomy and physiology, psychology, kinesiology, therapeutic modalities, and therapeutic recreation program development and implementation. Recreation therapists must also be certified by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC). Certification typically requires graduation from an accredited program, a certain number of hours of clinical experience, and passing an exam.

Here is an example of an experience listing suitable for a Recreation Therapist resume:

Bachelor of Science in Recreation Therapy, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, May 2020
Recreation Therapy Certification, National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification, December 2020
CPR Certification, American Red Cross, April 2021
First Aid Certification, American Red Cross, April 2021

Recreation Therapist Skills for a Resume

It is important to add skills for a Recreation Therapist Resume as it will help employers identify the particular qualifications and abilities that the applicant has. For example, a Recreation Therapist may need to demonstrate strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as knowledge of therapeutic interventions and activities, to be successful in the role. By highlighting these skills, the applicant can better demonstrate their suitability for the job.

Soft Skills:

Interpersonal Communication
Organizational Skills
Time Management
Adaptability
Problem Solving
Leadership
Creativity
Conflict Resolution
Motivational Speaking
Team Building

Hard Skills:

Group Facilitation
Patient Assessment
Activity Planning
Documentation
Program Implementation
Leadership
Organizational Skills
Creative Thinking
Team Building
Certifications

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Recreation Therapist Resume

In this competitive job market, employers receive an average of 180 applications for each open position. To process these resumes, companies often rely on automated applicant tracking systems, which can sift through resumes and eliminate the least qualified applicants. If your resume is among the few that make it past these bots, it must still impress the recruiter or hiring manager. With so many applications coming in, recruiters typically give each resume only 5 seconds of their attention before deciding whether to discard it. Considering this, it's best to avoid including any distracting information on your application that could cause it to be thrown away. To help make sure your resume stands out, review the list below of what you should not include on your job application.

Not including a cover letter. A cover letter is a great way to explain why you are the best candidate for the job and why you want the position.
Using too much jargon. Hiring managers do not want to read a resume full of technical terms that they do not understand.
Omitting important details. Make sure to include your contact information, educational background, job history, and any relevant skills and experiences.
Using a generic template. Take the time to customize your resume to the job you are applying for. This will show the employer that you are serious about the position.
Spelling and grammar errors. Always double-check your resume for typos, spelling mistakes, and grammar errors.
Focusing too much on duties. Make sure to include accomplishments and successes to show the employer that you are a great candidate.
Including personal information. Avoid including any personal information such as age, marital status, or religious beliefs.

Key takeaways for a Recreation Therapist resume

Highlight your experience and qualifications in recreation therapy.
Include your certifications and licenses related to recreation therapy.
Outline your experience in working with individuals with various physical, mental, and emotional disabilities.
List any special skills or talents you possess in relation to recreation therapy.
Include any awards or commendations you have received for your work in recreation therapy.
Detail any research or publications you have contributed in the field of recreation therapy.
Include any additional professional activities, such as teaching or presenting at conferences.
List any additional related professional development activities.
Highlight any special projects or initiatives you have been involved with.

It's time to begin the job search. Make sure you put your best foot forward and land your next postal service job with the help of Resumaker.ai.