Under direct supervision assists in planning, organizing, implementing and monitoring a comprehensive therapeutic activity program for a state hospital or institution.
Employees assist residents as they participate in individual and group therapeutic activities. Duties performed are more varied and complex than those of the Activity Specialist.
Plans, implements and coordinates activities and intervention in the development, maintenance, and expression of appropriate social and leisure lifestyles of clients. Develops activity therapy based upon assessment of the client’s needs/interests and psychosocial aspect of care. Observes, analyzes, and records patients' participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed. Prepares and maintains all required treatment records and reports. Counsels and encourages clients to develop leisure activities. Confers with members of treatment team to plan and evaluate therapy programs. Develops treatment plans that use non-medical therapies. Provides health and wellness advice to clients, program participants, or caregivers.
Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins. Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain them over time. Ability to actively look for ways to help people. Ability to perform physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and move your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials. Ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources. Ability to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. 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.
A high school diploma and relevant program experience. A bachelor’s degree in physical education, recreation or a related field may be substituted for the required experience.