Diversional Therapist
Kaihaumanu Rēhia
This job is sometimes referred to by alternative titles
Diversional therapists plan and run leisure programmes that enhance the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of individuals.
Pay
Diversional therapists with no qualifications usually earn
$16 per hour
Qualified diversional therapists usually earn
$23-$27 per hour
Source: NZ Society of Diversional Therapists, 2017.
Job opportunities
Vocational pathwaysPay
Pay for diversional therapists varies depending on qualifications.
- Diversional therapists with relevant experience, such as community work, but no specific qualifications can expect to earn minimum wage.
- Qualified diversional therapists usually earn between $23 and $27 an hour.
Source: NZ Society of Diversional Therapists, 2017.
- PAYE.net.nz website - use this calculator to convert pay and salary information
- Employment New Zealand website - information about minimum wage rates
(This information is a guide only. Find out more about the figures and diagrams in our job information)
What you will do
Diversional therapists may do some or all of the following:
- plan recreational events and activities
- encourage participation and enjoyment in events and activities
- assess and document participants' progress
- discuss participants' progress with medical and other professionals, and families.
Skills and knowledge
Diversional therapists need to have:
- planning and organisational ability
- communication skills
- leadership skills and the ability to motivate people
- knowledge of art and craft techniques, and sporting and cultural activities
- knowledge of safety issues and first aid.
Working conditions
Diversional therapists:
- work shifts, which can include evenings and weekends
- may work in rest homes, community centres, schools, youth centres or early childhood centres.
What's the job really like?
Mark McDonald
Diversional Therapist
From oil rigs to massage
Co-ordinating activities at Chalmers Rest Home is a far cry from working on oil rigs overseas, which Mark McDonald used to do as an electrical technician. But after a number of years away, Mark decided to return home to New Plymouth to look after his elderly parents and focus on his passion for massage.
"I started going to the rest home once a week doing massages. Then I got more hours and moved into recreation work."
What Mark's job involves
Nowadays Mark organises and runs a variety of activities at the rest home. "We do various exercises, organise bingo nights and take people on trips. It could be taking the gentlemen to the pub or going to watch woodturning for the day."
Encouraging camaraderie among residents
"I don't think people realise how important it is for men to have male camaraderie. Some of the male residents have been brought up in a real man's world, so coming into a home where the majority of staff and residents are women does affect them. Talking to other men gives them a chance for a different type of communication, which is important."
Entry requirements
There are no specific entry requirements to become a diversional therapist. However, to become a registered diversional therapist you need to complete a New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4).
The Careerforce diversional therapy qualification is an apprenticeship, which means you need to be working as a diversional therapist or similar to enrol.
- Careerforce website - information about training as an apprentice diversional therapist
- Kauri Academy website - information about training as a diversional therapist
- Unitec website - information about training as a diversional therapist
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.
Secondary education
NCEA Level 2 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include English, health education, music, dance and drama, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking combined, and physical education.
Personal requirements
Diversional therapists need to be:
- patient
- enthusiastic
- team players
- caring
- good communicators
- respectful
- practical.
You have to be a real people person to do this role, and a real team player. You work closely with other people all the time.
Mark McDonald
Diversional Therapist
Useful experience
Useful experience for diversional therapists includes work with the elderly, people with disabilities and children.
Physical requirements
Diversional therapists need to have a good level of fitness and must be reasonably strong, as they may need to help carry or move people.
Registration
The New Zealand Society of Diversional Therapists represents diversional therapists. Registration is not compulsory.
Find out more about training
- Careerforce ITO
- 0800 277 486 - info@careerforce.org.nz - www.careerforce.org.nz
- Society of Diversional Therapists New Zealand Inc
- secretary@diversionaltherapy.net.nz - www.diversionaltherapy.net.nz
What are the chances of getting a job?
Diversional therapy growing
The number of diversional therapists grew from 822 in 2006 to 1,008 in 2013, according to Statistics New Zealand.
Demand is growing due to:
- an ageing population
- an increasing number of people with disabilities in supported living.
Registration boosts chances of getting work
Becoming a registered diversional therapist can increase your chances of finding work as it means you can prove you have at least 3,000 hours of experience, and that you follow a code of ethics.
Types of employers varied
Most diversional therapists work in rest homes and hospitals, but some may work for:
- youth and community centres
- agencies that support people with disabilities
- childcare centres.
Sources
- Ansell, G, president, New Zealand Society of Diversional Therapists, Careers New Zealand interview, June 2017.
- Ministry of Health, 'Rising to the Challenge: The Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012-2017', accessed June 2017, (www.health.govt.nz).
- New Zealand Aged Care Association website, accessed April 2017, (www.nzaca.org.nz).
- Stats NZ, '2013 Census data', accessed June 2017, (www.stats.govt.nz).
Progression and specialisations
Diversional therapists may progress to management and development roles, heading the recreation teams at rest homes and hospitals.
With further training, diversional therapists may progress to become occupational therapists.
Diversional therapists may specialise in:
- art therapy
- music therapy
- play.
Diversional therapists plan leisure activities that improve clients' wellbeing
Last updated 11 December 2017