Summary of Position:

• Under the general and direct supervision of the Administrator.
• Provide a planned program of social, physical, spiritual, psychological and cognitive activities.
   

Responsibilities:

• Continuous assessment of the activity needs of participants and development of the activities portion of the participant care plan within five days of admission and evaluation of same with progress notes at quarterly intervals.
• Plan activities that emphasize the individual participant’s abilities and contribute to his/her sense of competence and accomplishment.
• At least one month in advance planning a monthly program of activities to include:
  • Reality orientation
  • Daily exercise
  • Active team games
  • Cognitively stimulating activities
  • Deliberately quieting/sedentary activities (e.g. table games)
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Community entertainment
  • Intergenerational programming
  • Motivational therapy
  • Reminiscent therapy
  • Horticultural therapy
  • Music therapy
  • Socially stimulating activities (e.g. parties & holiday celebrations)
  • Life skill activities (cooking, workshop, etc.)
  • Sensory stimulation
  • Quarterly outings for Level I group (luncheon/picnics)
  • Opportunities for religious programs
  • Specialized activities for Level II participants incorporating the Wandering Path Area and Experiential Environmental Area.
• Post the above activities schedule in a visible place and supplying a copy of the same for the newsletter.
• Coordinate the activity schedule with program staff.
• Develop the activity schedule in a flow pattern that ranges from stimulating activities to deliberately quieting activities.
• Assist in the development of policies and procedures related to activity programming.
• Participate in the quality assurance for activities.
• Attend Director’s meeting, staff meetings and Inter Disciplinary Teams as scheduled.
• Make a commitment to cooperative performance to attain care, organization and programmatic objectives which may entail performing duties not included in this job description.
   

Qualifications:

• Be certified or eligible for certification as an activity director certified (ADC) by the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals;
• Be certified or eligible for certification as a certified therapeutic recreation specialist (CTRS) by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation;
• Have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university approved by a state department of education with a major in recreation, creative arts therapy, music therapy, therapeutic recreation, art, art education, psychology, sociology, occupational therapy, or other health and/or human services related degree such as gerontology or early education;
• Have a high school diploma and at least three years of full-time, or full-time equivalent, experience in activities in a licensed health care facility and have successfully completed an activities education program approved by the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services after a review of the specific curriculum , consisting of 90 hours of training and incorporating the following elements:
  • Overview of the activity profession;
  • Human development: the late adult years;
  • Standards of practice/practitioner behavior;
  • Activity care planning for quality of life; and
  • Methods of service delivery in the activity profession; or
• Have served as director of activities continuously since February 20, 1990.
• It is preferable that the experience has involved working with the aging and adults with chronic impairments and that all or part of the experience has been in a community health setting.