THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES SERVICES SUPERVISOR                                                         L0873

Definition:

This is supervisory professional work in the field of therapeutic activities services at an agency providing services to the mentally ill or retarded.

An employee in this class plans, organizes, and supervises the delivery of therapeutic activities services to patients/residents. Work involves directing the design, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic activities programs which overlap or combine various aspects of therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, or vocational adjustment services. The employee directs the assessment of patients/ residents functioning levels, strengths, and needs, formulation of therapeutic activities segments of comprehensive individual program plans, and presentation of treatment/habilitative methods to a multi-disciplinary team. Employees develop operational procedures, interpret policies and services to staff personnel, and direct the coordination of therapeutic activities services with other professional services. Supervision is exercised over a staff of professional workers and aides. Work is performed with a considerable degree of independence under the general direction of a Therapeutic Activities Services Manager or other administrative supervisor and is reviewed through conferences and reports to determine quality and achievement of established objectives.

Examples of Work:

Plans, organizes and supervises a segment of the therapeutic activities services provided to patients/ residents in a facility for individuals with mental health conditions or intellectual disabilities.

Participates in developing and coordinating policies and procedures related to therapeutic activities program planning and development.

Directs the development, implementation and evaluation of therapeutic activities segments of the comprehensive individual patient/resident program plans.

Develops operational procedures pertinent to the conduct of therapeutic activities programs.

Interprets policies and procedures to staff personnel and cooperates in the coordination of therapeutic activities services with other professional services.

Supervises professional and non-professional workers.

Initiates corrective disciplinary action for minor misconduct by employees and recommends major corrective disciplinary actions or dismissals.

Prepares and signs employee performance evaluations.

Interviews prospective employees and recommends employee selection or ranks applicants in terms of preferability for employment.

Receives grievances and complaints, conducts initial investigation into causes and conditions, discusses with employee, and resolves complaints or recommends solutions.

Receives, reviews, and approves or disapproves leave requests.

Communicates contractual and administrative rights and obligations to employees and modifies work environment or processes to conform to changing conditions.

Participates in and evaluates the effectiveness of staff development programs to develop and enhance supervisory skills.

Identifies training needs of staff; evaluates and initiates training recommendations and appraises the effects of training on overall performance of staff; plans and conducts on-the-job training; and demonstrates more efficient work methods.

Consults with the multi-disciplinary team on the development and conduct of therapeutic activities programs.

Coordinates delivery of therapeutic activities services within assigned areas and integrates therapeutic activities services with services provided by other clinical disciplines, in accordance with patient/resident program plans.

Serves on unit, building or facility administrative or policy committees.

Screens and approves referrals to other therapeutic activities or other clinical services.

Participates in peer review processes.  In mental health facilities, directs advanced or specialized therapeutic activities for which subordinate workers are clinically privileged.

Reviews reports of subordinate staff, and maintains necessary administrative and clinical records.

Requisitions, inspects and supervises proper maintenance of supplies and equipment needed for the implementation of therapeutic activities services.

Performs related work as required.

Required Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of the theory and principles of therapeutic activities disciplines used in the treatment/habilitation of individuals with mental health conditions or intellectual disabilities, such as therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, vocational adjustment services, or art, music, or dance therapy.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of fostering physical and mental health and the treatment and habilitation of individuals with mental health conditions or intellectual disabilities through therapeutic recreation programs.

Knowledge of various therapeutic activities which overlap or combine aspects of therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, or vocational adjustment services, such as self-care skills training, activities of daily living training, physical restorative activities, pre-vocational activities, and activities related to art, music and dance therapy, and the techniques to motivate patient/resident interest in them.

Knowledge of the types and specifications of equipment and supplies needed for therapeutic activities

services, and their proper care and maintenance.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with individuals with mental health conditions or intellectual disabilities.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of supervision.

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

Knowledge of departmental and facility policy and applicable standards.

Knowledge of health and safety policies, procedures, and practices.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of in-service training programs pertinent to therapeutic recreation, and of out-service training resources.

Skill in reviewing assessments of patients/residents functioning level, strengths, needs, and progress relative to therapeutic recreation program requirements.

Skill in observing and evaluating therapeutic activities services, and in directing staff in adapting activities to meet individual needs of patients/residents.

Ability to utilize clinical and program data in planning, evaluating and directing implementation of therapeutic activities programs and to adapt and implement such programs as required.

Ability to plan, assign, coordinate and evaluate the work of technical, professional and non-professional staff.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other professional and non-professional personnel within the facility and in the community.

Minimum Experience and Training:

One year as a Therapeutic Activities Services Worker;

or

Two years of professional experience in the field of therapeutic recreation, occupational therapy, vocational adjustment services, or art, music, or dance therapy; and graduation from a four year college or university with major course work in therapeutic recreation, physical education, vocational rehabilitation, vocational education or counseling; occupational, art, music or dance therapy; or a related human services field;

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training.

Date Established or Last Revised

Class Specification – 1984

Evaluation Guide - 1989

Commonwealth Equivalent PSG ST07