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Therapeutic recreation leader skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Marieke Van Puymbroeck Ph.D.,

Dr. Jamie Hoffman CTRS

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical therapeutic recreation leader skills. We ranked the top skills for therapeutic recreation leaders based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 31.5% of therapeutic recreation leader resumes contained role model as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a therapeutic recreation leader needs to be successful in the workplace.

11 therapeutic recreation leader skills for your resume and career

1. Role Model

A role model is a person with desirable qualities who inspires other people to emulate their example.

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use role model:

Participated and demonstrated a positive role model for campers.
Provided spiritual development lessons and served as role model/mentor.

2. Incident Reports

An Incident Report, in a medical facility such as hospitals and nursing homes, is a type of paperwork filled out immediately after and in the case of an incident of some sort, with the goal of describing the incident and its consequences, as well as the measurements taken after or during the incident, as well as any other information relevant to said incident. Such an incident might be a patient acting out or a patient being injured.

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use incident reports:

Complete accident/incident reports related to injuries or behavior problems and health concerns
Enforced policies and procedures promptly and properly reported accident and incident reports.

3. MDS

Minimum Data Set or MDS refers to a standardized assessment tool used in Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing facilities. It assists social services specialists with developing, organizing, and conducting programs to resolve and prevent problems relevant to substance abuse, human relations, or dependent care.

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use mds:

Utilized clinical assessment, MDS documentation, and collaboration with interdisciplinary team and families.
Manage activity and progress reports including statistical data required by regulators, initial assessments, MDS and IDC documentation.

4. Therapeutic Recreation Programs

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use therapeutic recreation programs:

Planned, coordinated, implemented, and evaluated seasonal therapeutic recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.
Assisted with the implementation, adaptation, and evaluation of assigned therapeutic recreation programs.

5. Vital Signs

Vital signs are a set of values indicating different body systems' performance. They are measurements of the body's most basic functions. The four major vital signs used in medicine to assess a patient are body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure.

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use vital signs:

Transport patients to and from appointments, clinics, laboratories, and/or treatments, as and when appropriate Check vital signs.
admit and discharge patients, maintain close contact, monitor vital signs; heart rate and blood pressure.

6. Mental Health Professionals

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use mental health professionals:

Consult with doctors and other mental health professionals, Our team includes social workers and therapists.
Consult with doctors and other mental health professionals, often as part of a team that includes social workers and therapists.

7. Patient Behavior

Patient behavior is frequently described as disturbing behavior as they have an altered mental stage. They might live in a conceived state of fear and anxiety and have modification of lifestyle if suffering from a chronic illness.

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use patient behavior:

Observed, communicated, and documented pertinent patient behavior.
Observe patient behaviors, record their conditions and lead them in therapeutic and recreational activities.

8. Developmental Disabilities

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use developmental disabilities:

Assist with planning and implementing recreation and leisure activities for program participants with physical and developmental disabilities.
Supervised children ages 6-12 with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

9. Physical Disabilities

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use physical disabilities:

coordinated various creative activities for children ages 5-12, including children with learning and physical disabilities)
Developed and created social programs for adolescents experiencing behavioral and physical disabilities.

10. Intellectual Disabilities

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use intellectual disabilities:

Designed and implemented program plan for an adult with intellectual disabilities.
Provided respite care and recreational activities for a 27 year old woman with intellectual disabilities.

11. Skill Development

Skills development is the process of understanding the gaps in your skills, then sharpening them. Developing your skills is important because your skills can determine your potential to accomplish plans with success. Without the right skills, you could spend time working on a project ineffectively or start with the wrong approach. If you take the time to hone your skills, you can find a great job, earn more money, and improve your life.

Here's how therapeutic recreation leaders use skill development:

Provided skill development, leisure education, and recreation programs for individuals with disabilities.
Assisted in the orientation and skill development of staff.

What skills help Therapeutic Recreation Leaders find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on therapeutic recreation leader resumes?

Marieke Van Puymbroeck Ph.D.

Professor, Graduate Coordinator, Clemson University

A variety of skills and certifications always set individuals apart from the crowd. In this day and age, being able to provide virtual programming, offer innovative ideas about programming, and engage people virtually are particularly important.

What therapeutic recreation leader skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Dr. Jamie Hoffman CTRS

Chair, Professor, California State University - Sacramento

Recreation Managers typically walk the walk and talk the talk. With that said, they are advocates for health, wellness and experiences. This includes protecting and preserving natural environments, providing accessible and inclusive experiences and serving individuals of all backgrounds, ages and abilities. Depending on the agency one works for, this may prevent or promote the ability of the Recreation Manager to navigate bureaucracy and or other challenges related to funding, deficits in assets, equipment or spaces. Whether the Recreation Manager is working in a government agency, non-profit organization or for profit business, each environment poses its own challenges. Having consistent professional training and development opportunities as well as cost effective avenues for education, some barriers exist to continue to grow and develop in ones career. When discussion a Recreation Managers likes of their job the list is lengthy. Having the opportunity to work in many diverse environments: hostels, arenas, parks & recreation organizations, non-profits, athletic gyms and clubs, sports facilities …etc., this creates endless spaces and places for one to work. In addition to environments, the populations one may have the opportunity to work with are also very diverse. Recreation Managers work with individuals from the crib to the crypt including tot program, youth sports, teen centers, co-ed adult sports, senior centers etc. As far as abilities, one can work with individuals with neurodiversity, physical disabilities, addiction..etc. In addition, the Recreation Manager has the potential to work with and impact individuals from diverse cultures. This broad scope of practice is an attractive aspect of working as a Recreation Manager. Having the opportunity to increase the quality of life of individuals is a tremendous component of job satisfaction. Recreation Managers strive to maintain life balance and develop healthy lifestyle choices. Having the opportunity to have your work be fun and enjoyable is a choice but also an honor.

What type of skills will young therapeutic recreation leaders need?

Dr. Jon McChesney

Department Chair & Graduate Coordinator, Eastern Kentucky University

Recreation is at the core of a social profession, thus demanding the need for social intelligence and a relationship orientation for graduates. The need for connection is perhaps greater than at any time in our history, given the loneliness epidemic, the increase in depression, and suicide. Professionals need to be mindful of the issues facing our country and demonstrate sensitivity and appreciation for diversity and cultural agility. Creativity, innovation, and adaptability to change will continue to be important as recreation is forced to evolve in a Covid-19 world and beyond.

What technical skills for a therapeutic recreation leader stand out to employers?

Dr. Stacey Kendig

Director and Associate Professor, Shepherd University

Most definitely one of the technical skills that employers are looking for in a college graduate is their computer/technological skill level. With the current pandemic and so many people working from home, it is critical that employees have the most current technology skills. Another technical skill that I know I would look for is communication skills; both written and oral! Again, with so much of our time being spent using technology, computers, and cell phones, it is important that graduates understand the dynamics of "professionalism" with technology. Another technical skill would be interpersonal and the ability to develop professional and positive working relationships. This has also become a challenge with the increasing use of technology and not having the face to face interaction in a professional work environment.

What soft skills should all therapeutic recreation leaders possess?

Jessica Tangen Daniels Ph.D.

Associate Provost - Innovation and Partnerships, Program Director/Professor, Ed.D. Leadership in Higher Education, Bethel University

With the rapid rate of change, accelerating information turnover, and boundless access to knowledge, certain new soft skills may now be prioritized in our current society. So we all have to be learners, seeking new information, anticipating that we will need to change our mind, and striving for a disposition of curiosity. The specific skill of asking good questions cannot be underestimated.

Employers may be seeking skills like imaginative bridging, humbly and curiously connecting dots. Or the skills of facilitation and curation, with so many different perspectives and lived experiences, and an overabundance of information, an educational leader, must manage people, perspectives, and content like never before.

Employers are looking for skills that relate to not only the day-to-day tactical aspects of educational leadership but also imaginative problem-solving for a thriving future.

Do you want to know more?

List of therapeutic recreation leader skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a therapeutic recreation leader resume and required skills for a therapeutic recreation leader to have include:

Role Model
Incident Reports
MDS
Therapeutic Recreation Programs

Vital Signs
Mental Health Professionals
Patient Behavior
Developmental Disabilities

Physical Disabilities
Intellectual Disabilities
Skill Development

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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