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Rehabilitation Services Practitioner
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:
| Starting | $20.51 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $23.34 |
| Top | $25.89 |
Interest in copying information to assist patients as directed by health care professionals
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
Interest in handling to prepare and maintain work materials and supplies; and in assisting patients in the use of therapeutic equipment
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.
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:
Sometimes recreation therapy aides drive buses for community outings.
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.
Recreation therapy aides need to possess:
They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 30 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 17, 2020 and Jun 16, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 27 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 27 |
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 27 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 26 |
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 25 |
| Personal Suitability: Accurate | 24 |
| Personal Suitability: Client focus | 24 |
| Personal Suitability: Dependability | 24 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 23 |
| Personal Suitability: Initiative | 22 |
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.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Recreation therapy aides work for:
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:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
In Alberta, the 3414: Other assisting occupations in support of health services occupational group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 3.1% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 169 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
| 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.
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.
| 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 |
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.