Recreational therapists
Recreational therapists implement treatment plans by carrying out specialized therapy sessions employing approaches and techniques such as recreational, sports or other movement therapy.
Good
Market Demand
TEER 1
Skill Level
SK, ON, NS
Top Provinces
What They Do
- Assess patients and review reports from physicians, physiotherapists, psychiatrists, counsellors, teachers and other professionals to determine patients' capabilities and needs.
- Prepare individualized and group treatment plans either independently or through a multidisciplinary team approach, based on health concerns and on recommendations from physicians or other health professionals
- Design and carry out specialized therapy sessions employing techniques such as art, athletic, dance, music or recreational therapy or remedial gymnastics to meet specific physical or psychological needs of patients
- Co-ordinate, initiate, design and implement specialized therapy programs for the general patient population and in the community
- Advise patients on how to deal with their mental and physical abilities and help them integrate into the community
- Observe, analyze and record, patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions and consult with other health care professionals to evaluate and modify treatment plans as needed
- May conduct research in therapeutic recreation.
Qualifications
- checkRecreational therapists usually require a bachelor's degree in recreation with a specialization in therapeutic recreation.
- checkCertification for recreational therapists is available through the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
- checkSupervised practical training is usually required for occupations in this unit group.
- checkCertification or membership with the appropriate national professional association or provincial counterpart may be required.
Market Outlook by Province
Saskatchewan
The employment outlook will be Good for kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 31204) in Saskatchewan for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment in Saskatchewan: Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 28%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 27%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 26%Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 8%Universities (NAICS 6113): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 73% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 27% compared to 19% for all occupations61% of kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment work all year, while 39% work only part of the year, compared to 65% and 35% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 45 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.6% of kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment are self-employed compared to an average of 16% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 23% compared to 53% for all occupations Women: 77% compared to 47% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: n/a apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 14% compared to 17% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 82% compared to 18% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: n/a
Good
Outlook
Ontario
The employment outlook will be Good for kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 31204) in Ontario for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to several new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.What Types of Employers Are Out There? Offices of health practitionersNursing and residential care facilitiesHospitalsWhat are the Main Trends Affecting Employment? Increased need for health-related services to support the growing and aging population in OntarioInvestments in new nursing and long-term care facilities could create some opportunitiesAccess to private health insurance, as kinesiology services are not covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)What Skills Do I Need to Succeed?Within this occupational group, kinesiologists must be registered with the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario.Here are some key facts about kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment in Ontario: Approximately 3,950 people work in this occupation. Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment mainly work in the following sectors: Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 31%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 25%Hospitals (NAICS 622): 25%Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 5% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 77% compared to 81% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 23% compared to 19% for all occupations60% of kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment work all year, while 40% work only part of the year, compared to 63% and 37% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 43 weeks compared to 43 weeks for all occupations.17% of kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 25% compared to 52% for all occupations Women: 75% compared to 48% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 9% for all occupations high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 25% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: less than 5% compared to 8% for all occupations college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 22% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 59% compared to 24% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 14% compared to 13% for all occupations
Good
Outlook
Nova Scotia
The employment outlook will be Moderate for kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment (NOC 31204) in Nova Scotia for the 2025-2027 period.The following factors contributed to this outlook:Employment growth will lead to a moderate number of new positions.Not many positions will become available due to retirements.There are a small number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.Here are some key facts about kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment in Nova Scotia: Approximately 250 people worked in this occupation in May 2021. Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment mainly work in the following sectors: Hospitals (NAICS 622): 34%Ambulatory health care services (NAICS 621): 28%Nursing and residential care facilities (NAICS 623): 21% The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:Full-time workers: 85% compared to 82% for all occupationsPart-time workers: 15% compared to 18% for all occupations56% of kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment work all year, while 44% work only part of the year, compared to 62% and 38% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 41 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.The gender distribution of people in this occupation is: Men: 22% compared to 51% for all occupations Women: 78% compared to 49% for all occupations The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is: no high school diploma: n/a high school diploma or equivalent: less than 5% compared to 27% for all occupations apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: n/a college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: less than 5% compared to 22% for all occupations bachelor's degree: 75% compared to 20% for all occupations university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 10% compared to 10% for all occupations
Moderate
Outlook
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Immigration Pathways
TEER 1 occupations typically require a university degree and qualify for Express Entry. These are high-priority for STEM and healthcare category draws.
Express Entry (FSW)
Provincial Nominee Programs
Category-Based Draws
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Top Companies Hiring
Organizations with the most NOC 31204 openings right now.
CBI Health
6 active roles · Calgary, AB · London, ON
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
3 active roles · Whitby, ON
University of Alberta
2 active roles · Edmonton, AB
AgeCare
2 active roles · Oshawa, ON · Lumby, BC
Sienna Senior Living
2 active roles · Toronto, ON · Brampton, ON
Lifemark Health Group
2 active roles · Mississauga, ON · Ottawa, ON
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