JOB TITLE: THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 31940

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Therapeutic Activities job series describes work in developing, implementing, and evaluating therapeutic activities programs as part of an overall treatment and habilitation plan for individuals who receive services at state operated facilities.

DEFINITION: This is professional and supervisory work in developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating therapeutic activities programs to improve, enhance, and retain participants’ highest levels of personal, psychosocial, and physical functioning and habilitation.

An employee in this job plans, organizes, and supervises the delivery of therapeutic activities to individuals. Work involves directing the development, implementation, and evaluation of therapeutic activities programs, including activities that overlap or combine various aspects of therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, or vocational adjustment services; supervising the process of assessing individuals’ needs and formulating individual treatment plans in a multi-disciplinary team environment; developing operational procedures; participating in the development of policies; interpreting policies and procedures; and directing the coordination of therapeutic activities with other professional workers and nonprofessional staff. Supervision is exercised over professional and non-professional staff. Work is performed independently under general supervision and is reviewed through observation, conferences, and reports for quality and achievement of therapeutic activities program goals.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is differentiated from the lower level job based on the responsibility for supervising therapeutic activities workers and activities aides.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Evaluates and assesses therapeutic programs through observation and reports to determine quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting individuals’ needs.

• Designs and supervises the design of therapeutic activities in collaboration with multi-disciplinary treatment teams.

• Performs and supervises assessments of individuals’ strengths and needs using assessment tools, interviews, interest surveys, care plan reviews, and other methods to develop and modify treatment goals and objectives.

• Develops procedures and participates in developing policies pertinent to therapeutic activities programs.

• Interprets and communicates policies and procedures regarding therapeutic activities.

• Coordinates delivery of therapeutic activities with other clinical disciplines.

• Directs and conducts therapeutic program sessions in a variety of program areas such as self-care skills, activities of daily living, physical restorative activities, pre-vocational activities, recreation, socialization, sensory awareness, leisure activities, community trips, etc.

• Directs the scheduling of staff, space, and equipment for therapeutic activities.

• Maintains necessary administrative, clinical, and supervisory records.

• Ensures that therapeutic activities meet accreditation and regulatory standards.

• Directs the purchase of supplies and equipment needed for therapeutic activities.

• Determines program budget requirements and monitors program activity expenditures to ensure compliance.

• Identifies training needs of staff, plans, and conducts on-the-job training, and demonstrates work methods and procedures.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the theory and principles of therapeutic activities disciplines such as therapeutic recreation; occupational therapy; vocational adjustment services; or art, music, or dance therapies used in the treatment and habilitation of individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities.

• Knowledge of behavioral, rehabilitative, and developmental principles and practices, and their application to daily living situations.

• Knowledge of medical terminology relevant to recreational therapy, occupational therapy, and vocational therapy.

• Knowledge of the types and specifications of equipment and supplies needed for therapeutic activities, and their proper care and maintenance.

• Ability to identify individual recreational, vocational, or social needs based on assessment, observation, and communication.

• Ability to utilize clinical and program data in planning, evaluating, and implementing therapeutic activities programs.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year of experience as a Therapeutic Activities Worker (commonwealth title);

or

• Two years of professional experience providing therapeutic activities for individuals with physical, medical, or cognitive disabilities; and a bachelor’s degree with major coursework in therapeutic recreation; physical education; vocational rehabilitation; vocational education or counseling; art, music, dance, or occupational therapies; or a related human services field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• Candidates for certain positions in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs must possess, at time of application, active certification as an Activity Director Certified (ADC) or Activity Consultant Certified (ACC) as issued by the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals (NCCAP); or valid certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) as issued by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC.