Activity Director Certification

[mcwolf 0]

Hello Everyone-

 

I need some help fast- I have been consulting with a Swing Bed Nursing home unit. As I understand the state regs. An activities director has to have a college degree in either Recreation or Occupational Therapy. I am an OT with 14 years of experience with the geriatric population. The Director of nursing is saying that a person with a high school diploma can be the director of activities. What I need to find is some other documentation saying that is not correct. Any suggestions would be great!!

 

Thanks-

 

Marguerite

[happyrec 0]

Here in New York you can be a Activity Director if you are a H.S graduate and has work 2yrs fulltime in a skilled N.H..

[Stacy 0]

You don't have to have a bachelor's degree to be an AD.

 

If you have a high school degree, you have to get certified.

 

It seems a little odd to me that you can't manage a Dementia Unit unless you have 2 years of experience, but you can manage a whole building with activities as long as you are certified. Something to think about.

 

Stacy

[Stacy 0]

Here's the reg. I copied it from Pennie's post. You need experience at least worknig in a nursing home but not management.

 

F249

 

(Rev.)

 

§483.15(f)(2) The activities program must be directed by a qualified professional who--

 

(i) Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who--

 

(A) Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the State in which practicing; and

 

( Is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; or

 

(ii) Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or

 

(iii) Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or

 

(iv) Has completed a training course approved by the Stat

 

 

Stacy

[Guest Pat8231]

Hi, Here in Florida from what I understand is: AD certification is not required in an AL but if you work in an Alzheimer's unit in the AL you have to be certified. Working in a SNF you have to be certified but there is no requirement for a college degree. Our AD (ALF) has no background in activities when she started and nothing else either as far as education or certification. I could be wrong but that is what I've been told. Pat8231

[Guest Guest_Linda]

Does anyone know the requirements for Texas? Is there a certification/license requirement? How does one go about getting this certification?

[Guest Guest]

I am completley new to this field as well. I am from Indiana and I was under the assumption that we had to be certified to me state requirements. Is this different in all states? I am currently taking a class through correspondants and will be done in a couple of weeks

[Guest Newbie 3]

I think it is a wonderful idea to seek ADC certification if you do not have the time or funds to become a CTRS. ADC will enhance your knowledge and understanding in a very short period of time and will qualify to apply for Activity Director positions. Although art therapy and music therapy is a wonderful treatment modality, it is not not the same thing as a CTRS nor obtaining an ADC - even if you attend TR conferences. I am very partial to CTRS track but in the absence of that, advocate for ADC.

[Guest Guest]

Thanks for all your help!

 

Marguerite

[monarch 0]

I have all the qualifications I need to be certified as an activity director. I told my administrator that I was going to apply for my certification and she made the statement why. She told me not to expect any more money by becoming certified. I was very disappointed with her response. Should I still go for it and pay each year and get nothing in return from my facility? Looking for advice.

[Guest Tinki]

Hello,

 

I would definitely go for the certification. You never know when you might want to change jobs and the certification can bring you more money down the line. Plus it is great to learn more, it will make your job easier.

 

Hope this helps,

 

Karen

[mashonda 0]

Moncarch,

 

Don't let the Administrator's comments discourage you. Go for the certification. If they won't pay you more, maybe another facility will. you should definately look into it and who knows what may develop once you become certified.

[Guest Guest]

I agree with my peers who have commented already. Depending on your state, your adminstrator may she wish that she had a certified activity professional the next time the ombudsman or dept. of health pays a visit your facility. On several occasions they have requested to see my certificate during visits (in OH). If you can afford it, go for it. It sound also like the adm. may not want pay to have pay someone cover your post while you take classes; whether you are certified or not, there needs to be someone there providing activity services. At least thats my understanding. I hope that a constructive resolution is achieved ultimately in your situation. David.

[monarch 0]

Thanks Folks for the support! David where in Ohio are you from? I am from Bryan, OH.

[Guest CAROLYN ALLEN]

:hammer: CAROLY@COX.NETHi, I am a Certified Activities Director (Convalescent Care) If there is any opening will some email me and let me know. From San Diego CA. Thanks very munch Carolyn :-)

[Guest kazzie49]

HI, I have spoke to Mr Rowlett and they only offer mepap1, they don't have th second part, Does anyone know any other online or home study courses available

[Guest Guest_ErinE]

Check www.nccap.org at the bottom of the home page and you will find a list of instructors that teach the MEPAP course in non-traditional formats.

[Guest Guest_ErinE]

I'm sorry, you have to first click on MEPAP Course Instructors Listing and then go to the bottom of that page for the instructors.

[Guest Guest_wubby1963]

Hi I have a question and need help with it, I know the answer but value all of your input, so here goes!

 

I am not a certified nurse aide but yet I walk with residents that need assist back and forth to activities, today a big pow wow about it cause some aides quit helping me due to other issues of which I have no idea and I was left to bring them all or more then usual. So please give your input and what not, Thanks Suzie

[Guest Guest_flgrl]

Wubby,

Good for you. Continue doing what you are doing.The Right Thing. The other CNA's are supposed to help but they probably see you as a threat. Keep up the faith maybe they will come around.

[Guest Guest_Pennie]

Hi,

 

Of course the answer is that you get the res. to & from act. however this is not always as easy as it sounds, just as thi sis not a clear cut answer. First off you have duties to preform prior to the act. & many others that only other AD's can know about. Why they would get upset brcause you are helping them do their job not to mention the res. who seem to be caught in the middle & no fault of their own. That being said you may want to talk to the ADON or ADMIN about this problem if it is not resolved soon. Just remind them of the New FTags that have taken place just this month!! Getting res. to/from act. & involved is no longer just the AD's job.

I have a very low tolerance for people who say that it is not their job, or in their job description. Team work is the key to every dept. & putting the res. needs first is my rule of thumb. Maybe one of these years people will grow-up. (I don't mean you, I mean the others playing thi stupid game) :-x This problem will resolve in time to only be replaced by another one. :-? best luck

[Guest Guest_AggieTiff]

This is a subject that boils me over....NOT IN MY JOB DESCRIPTION / NOT MY JOB!!!????!!!???? What? Activities is part of the care plan, right? Socialization is good for the residents on so many levels that we all know about...so I will not go there. It is in their job description as a caregiver. CARE giver....they give CARE!!!! Part of that is keeping the residents emotionaly and spiritually (not just religious, ya know) healthy, just to name one part.... If the residents sit in their room they will become depressed and depressed people are not as healthy.

 

If you can not get your ADMIN to back you on this....try to help her/him see it this way. ADs usually make more money than a CNA, cargiver, care manager (whatever you call it in your community). Why should the administration pay you your hourly rate (or salary) to do something like help a resident to an activity when their money is better spent having you do something a little more "specialised". The time it takes you to assist the residents to the activities can be spent on therapudic 1:1, planning, training, recruiting volunteers...etc. Something that you have been trained to do. The money will go alot further if it is looked at this way.

 

Of course we all assist residents to activitiesl...we are not going to say no....but if we could just get a little help we could do so much more.

 

We have are days here that make me want to scream but for the most part I have the staff understanding of this and they really get excited about things. it is always a struggle.

 

Tiff

[Guest Guest_wubby1963]

I was a certified nurse aide but the certification lapsed , I do help with pushing wheel chairs and have walked easier people. I think they think all I do is sit and do nothing , but when I do have some down time its planning and what not. I only work 4 full days a week and have to get it all done in that time frame. The last AD was a certified nurse aide and did it all ( from what I have heard) I didnt see that happen while training. I have no trouble with helping them I do agree it takes a group effort to get all the residents there. Right now it seems its pick on the new activity director .

[Guest Guest_AggieTiff]

Is it common for ADs to also be CNAs? I was never a CNA but I worked with an individual as a "companion" for about 6 months while I was "finding" myself. Other than that my experience is not in CNA type of things. I think the caremanagers (CNAs) at my community are the hardest working people in teh building ....I am amazed at our day shift....they do all of their care, assist with activities, serve in the dinning room, and do it all with a smile (usually). We have one that seems excited to do fitness every morning...the residents say she is teh best fitness leader (even better than teh therapist that used to do it) so I am putting her name with fitness on the calendar. Another is such a cheer leader and fun lady and she has taken ownership of happy hour on Thursdays. She even volunteers to stay and help with family parties...these girls love what they do and we are very blessed to have them here. oooopppsssd I started rambleing, sorry (and bragging)

[Guest Kristopher Cisneros ADC]

Well I attended my local community college and recieved an assocates degree in Recreational Leadership. I backed that up with an Activity Directors certification which I got by completing some correspondants courses from Missouri State University. With this I was able to land as job as the Recreation Dircetor for the Texas Department of Aging and Disabilities Services. I worked for fives years there and now I'm the Recreational Director for a Children's Shelter. I have done recreations with all sorts of populations and age groups with only my assocates degree and an ADC.