This Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant program focuses on the knowledge and skills required to plan, implement, and evaluate individuals or groups in therapeutic recreation and social activities. Program participants will learn to plan and implement supervised activities for older adults with cognitive and physical impairments and gain hands-on experience with supervised practicum experience.
In this Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Program, students will learn how to enhance their clients’ quality of life through leisure activities. The program will prepare students to work with a variety of client groups in different care settings such as hospitals, group homes, assisted living facilities, etc.
This Therapeutic Recreation Assistant Program BC has been reviewed and approved by the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. This program consists of theory (20 weeks/372 hours) and practicum (3 weeks/90 hours).
Enroll in the Edison College Therapeutic Recreation Diploma and start your healthcare career in Canada.
Therapeutic recreation assistants assist their clients by helping them engage in music, exercises, swimming, and other recreational activities. They assess the requirements of patients according to their personal needs and design a plan that can help recover patients from depression, anxiety, or any other such challenges.
Upon completion of this Therapeutic Recreation Diploma, graduates will be able to:
• Recognize and respond to self-development, learning, and health enhancement needs.
• Develop communication techniques that demonstrate personal awareness, respect, and active listening skills.
• Perform the care provider role in a reflective, responsible, accountable, and professional manner.
• Under direction, assist and lead small group leisure activities.
• Support residents as they learn new techniques that are adapted to encourage participation.
Graduates of the therapeutic recreation activity assistant diploma are prepared for activity coordination and recreational programming roles across Canada, including B.C.’s seniors’ care and community health sector. Career opportunities include:
The anticipated annual salary range of Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistants is $37,440 to $60,320, according to Workbc.ca. The hourly wages of Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistants are typically from $18 to $29 per hour.
Some of the factors that mainly impact the salaries are work experience, type of employer, and the province where you work.
Therapeutic recreation is one of the most personally meaningful careers in Canada’s health care sector—and one of the most directly connected to the demographic forces reshaping the province.
According to WorkBC, as B.C.’s population continues to age, the healthcare and social assistance field will see the largest increase in job openings in the next 10 years—with 54% of those openings coming from the need to replace retiring workers and an additional 46% arising from expansion in the healthcare system in response to the growing medical needs of an aging population.
This program has been reviewed and approved by the PTIRU and includes a 3-week supervised practicum in Victoria, B.C.—giving graduates real-world experience inside a care setting before they graduate, with the certifications (FoodSafe Level 1, Standard First Aid with CPR Level C, and Provincial Violence Prevention Certificate) that B.C. care employers require.
"Graduating from this program as a Mental Health and Addiction Community Support Worker has been a truly impactful experience. The education I received provided me with both the knowledge and practical skills needed to support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges in a meaningful and compassionate way.
The instructors were supportive, knowledgeable, and brought real-world experience into the classroom, which made the learning feel relevant and applicable. I especially valued the focus on trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, and building genuine connections with clients.
This program helped me grow not only professionally but personally. I left feeling confident, prepared, and motivated to make a difference in my community. I’m grateful for the foundation it gave me and would recommend it to anyone looking to pursue a career in mental health and addiction support
"
"I had a great experience completing my Therapeutic Recreation Activity Assistant program at Edison College. The course was practical, easy to follow, and really helped me feel prepared to work in the field. I would definitely recommend it to others."
"My experience at Edison College Canada has been very rewarding. The Community Support Worker program, especially the Mental Health and Addiction specialization, has helped me build confidence and real-world skills to support vulnerable individuals in my community. I feel more prepared for my future career."
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