Career Overview
This group includes therapists who use techniques such as athletic or recreational therapy to aid in the treatment of mental and physical disabilities.
Job Titles
Duties
Therapists and other professionals in this group perform some or all of the following duties:
- Assess patients and review reports from physicians, psychiatrists, counsellors, teachers and others to decide patients' present and future functioning level
- Prepare individual and group treatment plans either independently or through a mixed team approach
- Design specialized therapy programs to maintain, rehabilitate or enhance movement, musculoskeletal functioning and performance in sports, work and recreation
- Set up a treatment plan by carrying out therapy sessions using techniques such as athletic or recreational therapy or other movement therapy
- Watch and analyze patients during treatment sessions
- Record findings, write progress reports and consult with other health-care professionals to evaluate treatment plan
- May provide education to clients regarding health promotion and injury prevention, management and treatment
- May conduct research in their specialty
Earnings
Earnings is income that workers receive in exchange for their labour. Depending on the type of employment, earnings can be in the form of wages (hourly), salaries (fixed monthly or annual) or self-employed earnings.
Work Environment
# Workers Employed
1,850% Employed Full Time
37%Work generally takes place in a conventional indoor environment.
Work in establishments such as hospitals, rehabilitation centres, extended health care facilities, clinics, recreational centres, nursing homes, industry, educational institutions and sports organizations or they may work in private practice.
Career Pathways
There is no movement between the different occupations in this group.
Related Careers
Occupational Interests
It’s important to understand what kinds of occupations align with your interests.
For more about occupational interests visit Skills for the Future Workforce > Characteristics.
Here are the top occupational interest(s) for this career profile:
Education, Training and Skills
- Kinesiologists require a master's degree in kinesiology, physical education or human kinetics.
- Certification for kinesiologists is available through the Canadian Kinesiology Alliance.
- Sport therapists require a bachelor's degree in sport therapy, or a degree in health sciences with a specialization in sports injury management
- Recreational therapists usually require a bachelor's degree in recreation with a specialization in therapeutic recreation.
- Supervised practical training is usually required for occupations in this unit group.
- Certification or membership with the appropriate national professional association or provincial counterpart may be required.
Education programs in B.C.
The following program areas are related to this occupation:
- Music Related
- Rehabilitation/Therapeutic Services
- Sports and Fitness Administration/Management
- Kinesiology/Physical Education/Sport

Skills
Every job calls for a certain set of skills. Knowing those skills is the first step in finding a good career fit.
Here, you will find the 10 most relevant workplace skills. Some are more important to achieving success in a certain career than others. These skills may come naturally to you or you may need to gain them through education, training and experience.
See the list of work-related skills below, ranked in order of importance for this career. Check out the list and see if this career matches your skills—take that first step!
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.
Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Talking to others to share information effectively.
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
Actively looking for ways to help people.
Keeping track of and assessing your performance, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Teaching others how to do something.
Labour Market Statistics
Discover data, facts and information that have been gathered and analyzed. Learn about the characteristics of the economy and labour market in B.C.
Employment
Find out about employment types and trends by region and industry.
Employment
1,850Employment by Region
Region | Employment | % Employment of this Occupation |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | 10 | 0.5% |
Kootenay | 35 | 1.9% |
Mainland/Southwest | 1,260 | 68.1% |
North Coast and Nechako | 15 | 0.8% |
Northeast | 15 | 0.8% |
Thompson-Okanagan | 255 | 13.8% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 265 | 14.3% |
Labour Market Outlook
The B.C. Labour Market Outlook is a 10-year forecast of the expected supply and demand for labour in the province. It’s usually updated every year. The purpose is to provide British Columbians with the knowledge to make informed decisions on careers, skills training, education and hiring.
Forecasted Job Openings (2024-2034)
630Forecasted Job Openings
Forecasted Employment Growth Rate
Composition of Job Openings
Job Openings by Region (2024-2034)
Region | Job Openings | Avg. Annual Employment Growth |
---|---|---|
Cariboo | Not available | Not available |
Kootenay | 10 | 1.2% |
Mainland/Southwest | 430 | 1.8% |
North Coast and Nechako | Not available | Not available |
Northeast | Not available | Not available |
Thompson-Okanagan | 100 | 1.8% |
Vancouver Island/Coast | 90 | 2.3% |
Industry Highlights
Learn about the opportunities in B.C.'s major industries, including employment trends, earning potential, locations of work and more.
Forecasted Job Openings by Industry
Industry | Job Openings (2024-2034) |
---|---|
Health Care and Social Assistance | 510 |
Information, Culture and Recreation | 80 |
Educational Services | 10 |
Repair, Personal and Non-Profit Services | 10 |
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate | 10 |
Resources
Resource information is currently not available.