Recreation Therapy Aide
Recreation therapy aides help recreation therapists plan and deliver therapeutic programs and recreational activities. They also arrange special events.
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Avg. Salary $37,912.00
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Avg. Wage $23.34
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Minimum Education Varies
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Outlook above avg
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Employed 5,700
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In Demand High
Also Known As
Rehabilitation Services Practitioner
NOC Codes
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
- 2006 NOC: Therapy Assistants (3414.2)
- 2006 NOC-S: Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services (D313)
- 2011 NOC: Other assisting occupations in support of health services (3414)
- 2016 NOC: Other assisting occupations in support of health services (3414)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
55%
55%
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $20.51 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $23.34 |
| Top | $25.89 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
Interest Codes
The Recreation Therapy Aide is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Therapy Assistants
- METHODICAL
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Interest in copying information to assist patients as directed by health care professionals
- SOCIAL
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Interest in assisting patients by helping elderly and incapacitated patients to dress and undress, by accompanying patients to treatment rooms and by supporting them in other activities
- objective
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Interest in handling to prepare and maintain work materials and supplies; and in assisting patients in the use of therapeutic equipment
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Recreation therapy aides work with people who have physical, mental or social disabilities. They organize and lead a variety of social and leisure activities (such as exercises, sports, crafts, music, drama, community outings and special events). These activities provide opportunities for clients to take part in recreation as therapy.
Under the direction of recreation therapists and other professionals, recreation therapy aides:
- review client assessments and goals (for therapeutic recreation programs and recreation-based activities)
- conduct one-on-one, small group and large group activities
- support clients through treatment programs
- help prepare, maintain and store equipment and supplies (such as audio-visual or exercise equipment, or craft supplies)
- use equipment (such as ceramic moulds and exercise equipment) and teach clients how to use it
- observe, report and document client engagement and progress
- provide recreation therapists with feedback (as needed) regarding program adjustments or client participation
- prepare and clean up program work areas
- support the work of volunteers and students.
Sometimes recreation therapy aides drive buses for community outings.
Working Conditions
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Recreation therapy aides may work in health care settings, as well as community settings where leisure takes place (such as private homes, community facilities or outdoor settings). As a result, working conditions vary. Some aides work shifts that include evenings and weekends.
Recreation therapy aides often take part in activities requiring above-average strength and stamina.
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Recreation therapy aides need to possess:
- excellent people skills
- leadership skills
- the ability to listen, speak and write well
- the ability to observe
- the ability to be organized
- empathy
- enthusiasm
- flexibility
- the ability to take part in physical activities
- the ability to work with little supervision
- a strong interest in leisure and wellness activities.
They should enjoy:
- having clear guidelines for their work
- working with people, especially seniors and persons with disabilities
- handling and maintaining equipment and supplies
- being creative and spontaneous.
Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For
Other assisting occupations in support of health services
NOC code: 3414
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 13 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 17, 2020 and Mar 04, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
- Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
- What training you may need to get these skills
- What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 11 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 10 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 10 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 10 |
| Personal Suitability: Accurate | 9 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 9 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 9 |
| Personal Suitability: Dependability | 9 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 9 |
| Personal Suitability: Initiative | 9 |
Educational Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Recreation therapy aides may be trained on the job, but employers generally prefer applicants who have related education and experience. For example, they may have experience working in health care facilities or with the elderly.
Current CPR / First Aid certification, immunizations and a criminal record check are normally required for employment. Computer skills, the ability to communicate in a second language, a valid Class 4 driver’s licence and recreation-related skills (such as experience in sports, music, drama, or arts and crafts) are definite assets.
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Bow Valley College
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Calgary North
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton City Centre
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton North
Grant MacEwan University
Lethbridge College
Medicine Hat College
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Dec 19, 2016
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Employment & Advancement
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Recreation therapy aides work for:
- rehabilitative, psychiatric and acute-care hospitals
- community centres
- mental health facilities
- residential-care facilities
- adult day-support programs
- prisons and correctional centres
- private and government recreation centres
- private community-based agencies.
Without further education, opportunities for advancement are limited.
Recreation therapy aides are part of the 2011 National Occupational Classification 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services. In Alberta, 83% of people employed in this classification work in the Health Care and Social Assistance [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
- trends and events that affect overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
- location in Alberta
- employment turnover (work opportunities that come up when people leave existing positions)
- occupational growth (work opportunities that come up when new positions are created)
- size of the occupation.
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the D313: Other Assisting Occupations in Support of Health Services occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.2% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 246 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Wage & Salary
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $24.08 | $20.51 | $21.62 |
| Overall | $16.93 | $28.39 | $23.34 | $23.84 |
| Top | $18.00 | $30.18 | $25.89 | $25.69 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| Public Administration | $57,145 |
|---|---|
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $38,338 |
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $37,912 |
| Finance, Insurance, Real Estate, Leasing | $36,539 |
| Retail Trade | $35,490 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
55%
55%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
26%
26%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
6%
6%
Vacancy Rate
3%
Other Sources of Information
Updated Dec 19, 2016
Alberta Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) website: www.alberta-tr.org
Canadian Therapeutic Recreation Association (CTRA) website: canadian-tr.org
Therapist Assistant Association of Alberta (ThAAA) website: thaaa.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 22, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
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