ATRA Standards for Practice
Developed by the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, the Standards reflect
levels of service provision for therapeutic recreation professionals to implement
in a variety of settings. The Standards will assist the therapeutic recreation
professional in assuring the systematic provision of quality therapeutic recreation
services.
Standard 1: The therapeutic recreation specialist conducts an individualized assessment
to collect systematic, comprehensive and accurate data necessary to determine
a course of action and subsequent individualized treatment plan.
Standard 2: The therapeutic recreation specialist plans and develops the individualized
treatment plan that identifies goals, objectives and treatment intervention strategies.
Standard 3: The therapeutic recreation specialist implements the individualized
treatment plan using appropriate intervention strategies to restore, remediate
or rehabilitate in order to improve functioning and independence as well as reduce
or eliminate the effects of illness or disability. Implementation of the treatment
plan by the therapeutic recreation specialist is consistent with the overall patient/client
treatment program.
Standard 4: The therapeutic recreation specialist systematically evaluates and
compares the client's response to the individualized treatment plan. The treatment
plan is revised based upon changes in the interventions, diagnosis and patient/client
responses.
Standard 5: The therapeutic recreation specialist develops a discharge plan in
collaboration with the patient/client, family, and other treatment team members
in order to continue treatment, as appropriate.
Standard 6: Recreation opportunities are available to patients/clients to promote
or improve their general health and well-being.
Standard 7: The therapeutic recreation specialist adheres to the ATRA Code of
Ethics.
Standard 8: The therapeutic recreation department is governed by a written plan
of operation that is based upon ATRA Standards of the Practice of Therapeutic
Recreation and standards of other accrediting/regulatory agencies, as appropriate.
Standard 9: The therapeutic recreation department has established provisions for
assuring that therapeutic recreation staff maintain appropriate credentials and
have opportunities for professional development.
Standard 10: Within the therapeutic recreation department, there exists an objective
and systematic quality improvement program for the purposes of monitoring and
evaluating the quality and appropriateness of care, and to identify and resolve
problems in order to improve therapeutic recreation services.
Standard 11: Therapeutic recreation services are provided in an effective and
efficient manner that reflects the reasonable and appropriate use of resources.
Standard 12: The therapeutic recreation department engages in routine, systematic
program evaluation and research for the purpose of determining appropriateness
and efficacy.
ATRA Standards of Practice Task Force
American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 1991.