Activities Director (Long Term Care)

Required Qualifications

The activities program must be directed by a qualified professional who is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who:

• Eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; or

• Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, one of which was full-time in a therapeutic activities program; or

• Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or

• Has completed a training course approved by the State.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

The Activities Director is responsible for directing the development, implementation, supervision and ongoing evaluation of the activities program designed to meet the social, psychosocial and therapeutic needs of the resident. This includes the completion and/or directing/delegating the completion of the activities component of the comprehensive assessment; and contributing to and/or directing/delegating the contribution to the comprehensive care plan goals and approaches that are individualized to match the skills, abilities, and interests/preferences of each resident in compliance with Federal and State regulations.

Directing the activity program includes scheduling of activities, both individual and groups, implementing and/or delegating the implementation of recreational, educational, cultural and arts and crafts programs, monitoring the response, reviewing and evaluating the response to the programs to determine if the activities meet the assessed needs of the resident, and making revisions as necessary. The Director ensures that scheduled program activities are carried out seven days per week. The Director will ensure each resident is offered at least one (1) cognitive activity, two (2) recreational activities and three (3) ADL activities daily. Activities are to be tailored to the resident’s unique requirements and skills. At least one individual activity is planned for residents who are unable or unwilling to participate in group activities daily. Oversees the transportation of residents to social activities programs inside and outside the facility.

The Activities Director is responsible for the assurance of resident safety during activities and items that are safety hazards are strictly controlled. Harmful items will be monitored closely during resident use and put away immediately after each use. Activity cabinets and closets are locked at all times when not in immediate use.

The Activities Director is responsible for overseeing the establishment of a Resident Council and responsible for its smooth operation and documentation such as meeting minutes and concerns expressed during the Council meetings.

The Activities Director is required to perform a variety of administrative functions pertaining to departmental operations, such as but not limited to, assisting with the orientation of newly hired staff; development of departmental policies and procedures; delegation of work assignments of staff; completion of employee performance evaluations and the development of formal and informal staff educational in-service programs to ensure the highest level of quality care possible is provided to residents.

The Director also oversees the facility’s volunteer program to include monitoring the activities of volunteer staff members to ensure that the rights of residents are respected. Occasionally supervise student practices in Leisure Studies and related educational areas.

The Activities Director monitors the schedule and services provided by the Beauty Shop Operators.