Purpose of Position:
Under supervision, with latitude for initiative and judgement, performs responsible therapeutic work of varying degrees of difficulty and responsibility in an activity therapy department providing medical/psychiatric recreational therapeutic services for patients/residents, both individually and in group settings, in conjunction with other members of the treatment team. All personnel perform related work.
Under general supervision, plans, directs, coordinates and monitors a program of medically approved recreational activity therapy programs for an assigned area/unit of a health care setting including mental hygiene services.
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.
15. Assesses recreational therapeutic and activity program needs and plans for implementation through research and evaluation.
16. Evaluates daily functioning of activity therapy programs in assigned area.
17. Assesses specific activity needs of patients and records progress of patients as defined by the standards of the department.
18. 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.
19. Applies new techniques and skills both interpersonal and technical in a continuing effort to provide practical programs. Explores new developments within the area of Activity Therapy implementing those which are applicable to their setting.
20. Works with other disciplines to coordinate effective patient care.
21. May review clinical case records for accuracy and completeness.
22. Maintains functional operational level of equipment, supplies and work areas.
23. May develop and conduct in-service training within their area of expertise.
24. Prepares and submits reports and statistics.
25. Prepares appropriate records.
26. Plans, organizes, supervises and implements Activity Program Services of clinically sound activity therapy treatments from an assigned area of a health care setting.
27. Coordinates and monitors ongoing performance of overall or specific portions of the treatment plans.
28. Provides leadership, guidance and clinical supervision, orientation and training to subordinate professional recreational therapy and support staff, volunteers, students and other health care setting staff.
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. May participate in formulating patient treatment plans or may formulate patient treatment plans as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
32. Maintains communication with other disciplines and services.
33. Attends and contributes to departmental meetings and health care setting-wide training programs.
34. Participates in overall planning of a Therapeutic Activity program for the health care setting.
35. Maintains communication with community resources and research programs for patient’s referrals.
36. Explores new developments within the area 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.
37. May select and order supplies and equipment, and maintain functional operational level of equipment, supplies and work area.
38. May participate in departmental administration of recreational programs including budgetary expenditures and setting procedures.
39. Prepares reports, correspondence, and maintains records.
