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29-1125.00 · Learning planner

Recreational Therapists: a task-based learning plan

Plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. Activities include sports, trips, dramatics, social activities, and crafts. May assess a patient condition and recommend appropriate recreational activity.

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Understand the profile before choosing priorities

The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 32 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.

SkillImportance / 5Level / 7Rating date
Service Orientation4.124.2508/2022 · Analyst
Social Perceptiveness4.004.1208/2022 · Analyst
Active Listening4.004.0008/2022 · Analyst
Speaking4.004.0008/2022 · Analyst
Coordination4.003.8808/2022 · Analyst
Reading Comprehension3.884.0008/2022 · Analyst
Writing3.884.0008/2022 · Analyst
Critical Thinking3.884.0008/2022 · Analyst
Instructing3.883.7508/2022 · Analyst
Complex Problem Solving3.503.5008/2022 · Analyst

Anchor the plan in an actual task

Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.

Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Make flight reservations for customers using an online booking site

Level 6: Direct relief agency operations in a disaster area

What does the person receiving the work need, and how would you confirm the need was met?

Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Be aware of how a coworker's promotion will affect a work group

Level 6: Counsel patients who are depressed during a crisis period

What perspective or concern might another person bring to this task?

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references

Level 2: Take a customer's order

What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history

Level 2: Greet tourists and explain tourist attractions

How would you explain the task, audience needs and next step in a short conversation?

Coordination

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Work with others to put a new roof on a house

Level 2: Schedule appointments for a medical clinic

Who would need what information, and at which handoff would timing matter?

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies

Level 2: Read step-by-step instructions for completing a form

Which instruction, constraint or exception in a document would you need to explain accurately?

Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Write an email to staff outlining new directives

Level 2: Write down a guest's order at a restaurant

What document would another person need, and how would you check that they could act on it?

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses

Level 2: Determine whether a subordinate has a good excuse for being late

What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?

Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Instruct a coworker in how to operate a software program

Level 2: Instruct a new employee in the use of a timekeeping system

How would you explain one step, observe a practice attempt and give useful feedback?

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for recreational therapists.

Level 4: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques

Level 2: Lay out tools to complete a job

How would you separate the problem into parts and compare possible explanations?

Review the result

Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.

Keep your worksheet

Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.