Manages and supervises the implementation of a comprehensive therapeutic activity program for a state hospital or institution.
The Activity Therapy Director is distinguished by the level of responsibility, experience, and supervisory requirements.
Supervises the planning, implementation and coordination of activities, programs and interventions. Manages the development, maintenance, and expression of appropriate therapeutic groups for clients. Ensures that client’s progress is properly recorded and maintained. Counsels and encourages staff to develop and implement appropriate leisure activities and therapeutic groups. Confers with members of treatment team to evaluate activity therapy programs. Reviews treatment plans to ensure proper activity therapy principles and interventions are being used and they meet the needs of clients based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy. . Creates activities based upon client’s age, interests, educational level and social history to complement treatment plan goals. Monitors the collection of information from medical records, medical staff, family members and the patients to ensure proper services are being provided based on patients' assessment, capabilities, needs and interests. Reviews schedules of events, programs, and activities. Evaluates program effectiveness. Completes, reviews and submits performance evaluations of staff.
Knowledge of general and departmental expectations. Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time. Knowledge of human anatomy/physiology, medical and psychiatric terminology, assessments, characteristics of illnesses and disabilities, and the use of therapeutic devices to include symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures. Ability to manage one’s own time and the time of others. Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching, and instruction. Ability to actively address staff and clients’ needs based on activity therapy services. Ability to lead and coordinate activities of subordinates. Ability to manage staff in fluid situations. Ability to use critical thinking skills to address the day-to-day operations of the department. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to develop and assess resources within the community to assist the client and family members to become self-sufficient and the family to remain intact.
Some positions may require the ability to travel. Eligibility for the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) or Certified Activity Professional (CAP) exam.
A bachelor’s degree in physical education, recreation or a related field and relevant program experience.