Bethlehem College
Diversional and Recreational Therapist Kaihaumanu Rēhia
Diversional and recreational therapists design and run recreation and leisure programmes to support and enhance people's total wellbeing.
Qualified and experienced diversional and recreational therapists can apply to be registered with the New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapy.
Diversional and recreational therapists may do some or all of the following:
- help people develop physicial and social skills and improve their total quality of life, confidence and independence
- plan exercise, mental stimulation, creative and fun programmes and events
- encourage people to participate and enjoy activities and events
- assess and document people's progress
- discuss participants' progress with medical and other professionals, and families.
Physical Requirements
Diversional and recreational therapists need to have a good level of fitness and must be reasonably strong, as they may need to help carry or move people.
Useful Experience
Useful experience for diversional and recreational therapists includes work with the elderly, people with disabilities and children.
Personal Qualities
Diversional and recreational therapists need to be:
- patient and resourceful
- enthusiastic and able to motivate others
- caring, respectful and empathetic
- good communicators with emotional and cultural intelligence, able to communicate non-verbally
- practical, flexible and innovative
- able to work well in a team.
Skills
Diversional and recreational therapists need to have knowledge of:
- how to plan and run recreational therapy activities for groups and individuals
- how to motivate people to participate in activities
- art and craft techniques
- sporting and cultural activities
- first aid.
Conditions
Diversional and recreational therapists:
- may do shift work, which can include evenings, weekends and public holidays
- may work in a wide variety of organisations including aged care, dementia care, community centres, the corrections system, schools, youth centres and early childhood centres.
Subject Recommendations
No specific secondary education is required for this job, but English, health education, music, dance and drama, physical education, and painting, sculpture, photography and printmaking are useful.
Related Subjects
Diversional and Recreational Therapists can earn around $28-$35 per hour.
Pay for diversional and recreational therapists varies depending on experience, qualifications, registration and responsibilities.
- Newly qualified diversional and recreational therapists usually earn $28 an hour.
- Qualified, experienced and registered diversional and recreational therapists usually earn $28 to $35 an hour.
- Diversional and recreational therapists in managerial or leadership roles can earn $36 to $50 an hour, or more.
Source: New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapy (NZSDRT), 2023.
Diversional and recreational therapists may progress to managerial roles, including leading recreation teams at rest homes and hospitals.
With further training, they may become occupational therapists.
Diversional and recreational therapists may specialise in:
- art therapy
- play.
Years Of Training
There are no specific entry requirements to become a diversional and recreational therapist.
However, employers may prefer you to have a New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing – Social and Community Services (Level 4), specialising in Diversional Therapy.
You can complete an apprenticeship to gain this qualification.
Careerforce oversees apprenticeships in diversional and recreational therapy.
Qualified and experienced diversional and recreational therapists can apply to be registered with the New Zealand Society of Diversional and Recreational Therapy.
- The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.
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