Activities Therapist

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 :

• 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.
• Participates in meeting with treatment staff to coordinate effective patient care and participates as a member of a team, in patient groups.
• Plans individualized schedules including activities of daily living, arts and therapy and socialization to meet specific needs of patients.
• 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.
• Directs learning experiences as part of care / treatment of patients to influence behavioral changes leading to increased experience and comprehension of self and environment.
• Works with and may guide students from multi disciplines, volunteers and others assigned to the area of service.
• Attends and contributes to department meetings, attends and conducts in-service training programs
• Works with private and public organizations to further recreational programs.
• May co-lead or lead small group therapy and other discussion groups.
• May co-lead community meetings with other members of various disciplines.
• Communicates observations of patients in activity therapy to team.
• Charts Activity Therapy Progress Notes.
• Prepares periodic reports and keeps appropriate records.
• 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 :

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.

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 :

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

Qualification Requirements :

Assignment Level I

Assignment Level II

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

Assignment Level III

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