Job Description

Job Description

Purpose of Position:

This class of positions encompasses professional and/or supervisory work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility in the operation of an activity therapy department providing medical/psychiatric recreational therapeutic services, in conjunction with other members of the treatment team. There are three Assignment Levels within this class of positions; all personnel perform related work.

Assignment Level I

Under supervision, with latitude for initiative and judgment, performs responsible therapeutic work of ordinary difficulty. The following are typical tasks for Assignment Level I:

Examples of Typical Tasks:

1. Participates in planning and implementing a medical/psychiatric approved recreational program of individual and ward activities adapted to the needs, interest and capacities of patients.
2. Participates in meeting with treatment staff to coordinate effective patient care and participates as a member of a team, in patient groups.
3. Plans individualized schedules including activities of daily living, arts and therapy and socialization to meet specific needs of patients.
4. Teaches and leads recreational activities such as group and team games, arts and crafts, dances, gymnastics, art in therapy, poetry, simple forms of music and dramatics.
5. Directs learning experiences as part of care/treatment of patients to influence behavioral changes leading to increased experience and comprehension of self and environment.
6. Works with and may guide students from multi disciplines, volunteers and others assigned to the area of service.
7. Attends and contributes to department meetings, attends and conducts in-service training programs
8. Works with private and public organizations to further recreational programs.
9. May co-lead or lead small group therapy and other discussion groups.
10. May co-lead community meetings with other members of various disciplines.
11. Communicates observations of patients in activity therapy to team.
12. Charts Activity Therapy Progress Notes.
13. Prepares periodic reports and keeps appropriate records.
14. Is responsible for maintaining and ordering of supplies and equipment for assigned unit.

Assignment Level II

Under supervision, with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment, performs responsible therapeutic work of more than ordinary difficulty. In addition to performing the typical tasks described in Assignment Level I, is also responsible for one or more of the following tasks:

Examples of Typical Tasks:

1. Assesses recreational therapeutic and activity program needs and plans for implementation through research and evaluation.
2. Evaluates daily functioning of activity therapy programs in assigned area.
3. Assesses specific activity needs of patients and records progress of patients as defined by

standards of the department. Coordinates such activities as adapted sports, dramatic, social activities, arts and crafts, music, regulating content of program in accordance with patients capabilities, needs and interest for assigned unit.

1. Applies new techniques and skills both interpersonal and technical in a continuing effort to provide practical programs. Explores new developments within the field of Activity Therapy implementing those which are applicable to their setting.

1. Works with other disciplines to coordinate effective patient care.

1. May review clinical case records for accuracy and completeness.

1. Maintains functional operational level of equipment, supplies and work areas.

1. May develop and conduct in-service training within their area of expertise.

1. Prepares and submits reports and statistics.

1. Prepares appropriate records.

Assignment Level III

Under general supervision, plans, directs, coordinates and monitors a program of medically approved recreational activity therapy programs for an assigned area/unit of a hospital or health care facility including mental hygiene services. In addition to performing the typical tasks described in Assignment Levels I and II, is also responsible for one or more of the following tasks:

Examples of Typical Tasks:

1. Plans, organizes, supervises and implements Activity Program Services of clinically sound activity therapy treatments from an assigned area of a hospital or health care facility.

Coordinates and monitors ongoing performance of overall or specific portions of the treatment plans.

1. Provides leadership, guidance and clinical supervision, orientation and training to subordinate professional recreational therapy and support staff, volunteers, students and other hospital or health care facility staff.

1. Helps staff to recognize and deal with problems relating to patients, staff or ward routines, assists staff in recognizing own assets and to effectively use these assets and resources in their work with patients.

1. Insures that Activity Therapy treatment plans and progress notes are completed and current for patients and for assessing the quality of each patient's evaluation.

1. May participate in formulating patient treatment plans or may formulate patient treatment plans as a member of an interdisciplinary team.

1. Maintains communication with other disciplines and services.

1. Attends and contributes to departmental meeting sand facility-wide training programs.

1. Participates in overall planning of a Therapeutic Activity program for the facility.

1. Maintains communication with community resources and research programs for patient's referrals.

1. Explores new developments within the field of Activity Therapy and works with staff in implementation of those applicable to their setting for reevaluation of ongoing programs. Applies new techniques and skills in a continuing effort to provide effective treatment modalities.
2. May select and order supplies and equipment and maintain functional operational level of equipment, supplies and work area.

Qualification Requirements:

Assignment Level I

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college including or supplemented by 18 credits in recreation, physical education, dance, fine arts, applied arts (including therapy) and 12 credits in psychology, social psychology, group work, group dynamics and/or related field; or
2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and one year of full-time experience in planning, coordinating and supervising a recreation activities program in a hospital, health care or related facility; or
3. A satisfactory combination of education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must possess a baccalaureate degree.

Assignment Level II

In addition to meeting the requirements for Assignment Level I, Assignment Level II requires:

1. One year of full-time experience as described in two (2) above.

Assignment Level III

In addition to meeting the requirements for Assignment Levels I, Assignment Level III requires:

1. Three years of full-time experience as described in two (2) above.

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