ACTIVITY THERAPIST II8293F1 Pay Grade:25 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is supervisory work planning, organizing and carrying out a variety of habilitative or rehabilitative activities for individuals or directing and managing all aspects of a facility's habilitative, rehabilitative, or recreation program. Work includes the application of professional skills in a variety of activity areas toward a habilitative, rehabilitative, or socialization goal, which involve the supervision of paraprofessional or professional staff in a specialized activity program. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL C: "Under direction…" Employees at this level usually receive a general outline of the work to be performed and are generally free to develop their own sequences and methods within the scope of established policies. New, unusual, or complex work situations are almost always referred to a superior for advice. Work is periodically checked for progress and conformance to established policies and requirements. Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average… Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL E: Work is of a highly diverse and/or complex nature characterized by a broad range of activities and frequently changing conditions, situations and problems. Considerable analytical thought is necessary for interpreting a variety of factors, problems and alternatives for methods and procedures. Work requires the origination of ideas, techniques and programs for solving technical problems or complicated situations. Workers at this level exercise a high degree of responsibility for independent judgment and may participate in major program changes or policy decisions. Work my be reviewed by occasional conferences or reports to superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are normally characterized by regulations, policies or complex technical manuals. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial. Contacts - LEVEL C: The purpose of the contact is to influence, motivate, conduct interviews, make formal presentations or counsel to achieve common understanding or solutions to problems when the information is sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are skeptical or uncooperative. Communication techniques and well developed communication skills become an important requirement at this level. Physical Demands - LEVEL D: The work requires considerable physical exertion. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL D: Involves administrative supervision responsibility. As first line supervisor, the primary responsibility involves scheduling, supervising and evaluating employees who perform the same or similar work. Responsible for recommending hiring and disciplinary actions to a higher level of authority. As a "project manager" may direct the activities of project leaders to develop plans and criteria and to evaluate progress and results for one or more projects. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Activity Therapist I class which is specialized, professional work planning, organizing and carrying out habilitation, rehabilitation, or socialization activities with individuals in a specialized activity/therapy skill. Differs from the Therapy Services Supervisor class which is professional clinical and administrative work in planning, directing, coordinating, and evaluating all aspects of a program providing a variety of specialized therapeutic activities. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Plans, assigns and evaluates the work of staff and/or volunteers; recruits and interviews staff; demonstrates principles and techniques of activities to other staff, interns, volunteers, and activity participants. Plans, administers, and coordinates an activity/habilitative/rehabilitative program; establishes and implements procedures for the care and maintenance of equipment and supplies; requisitions supplies and equipment; estimates budget requirements and monitors expenditures. Conducts and interprets activity/activity therapy assessments; confers with professional, medical or other staff, to discuss matters of group or individual therapy, habilitation, rehabilitation, or socialization plans; develops, habilitation, rehabilitation or socialization goals and objectives; writes treatment goals; conducts individual therapeutic activities. Develops and implements activities designed to facilitate positive behavioral changes and social skills, and to assist individuals in developing acceptable means to conflict resolution. Plans and carries out specialized recreational, educational, vocational, athletic, religious or social activities; plans and carries out an overall habilitation or rehabilitation plan; documents and maintains records of all activities/equipment provided; evaluates and documents individual participation and progress. Plans and carries out special events for an unit; meets with community resources to promote cooperation and acceptance of off grounds activities. Documents and maintains records of all programs, therapies or treatments provided, evaluates individual participation and progress; makes recommendations for individual therapeutic plans. Drives van or bus to transport patients, clients, offenders, or inmates to activities. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS Knowledge *Knowledge of the methods and techniques of music, art, horticultural, athletic or recreational habilitative, rehabilitative, or socialization therapy/activities. Knowledge of habilitative, rehabilitative, socialization or therapeutic practices in patient offenders, client, or inmate care and management. Knowledge of security factors in dealing with adult or juvenile offenders. Knowledge of modern concepts, assistive technologies, principles and/or practices related to dealing with the habilitation or rehabilitation of juvenile or adult offenders. Knowledge of relevant facility handbooks, policies, procedures, regulations and statutes. Abilities *Ability to direct and instruct groups and individuals participating in structured activities. *Ability to direct and instruct others on habilitative, rehabilitative, or therapy and treatment methods for patients, inmates, offenders, or clients. *Ability to observe, recall and document behavior, surroundings, and events. *Ability to recognize and report the behaviors or environmental/physical limitations of individuals that impede program progress or threaten security. *Ability to think and act appropriately during an emergency. *Ability to determine appropriate activity assignments or assistive technology devices for individuals. *Ability to compile, record and analyze information from several sources. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Seven years of experience in therapeutic recreation, horticulture therapy or one of the creative arts or therapy disciplines such as art, dance/movement or music therapy. Education may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. Necessary Special Requirements: NC: 06/93 |