Activity Director Certification

[Hope 0]

I'm an AD, not a CNA, but I see them trying to care for one person when I' m getting people for activities, so I try not to make them feel like they're not doing their job (it's obvious to me that 2 people can't logistically take care of 35, but that must not be what the company thinks). I also think the other shifts leave some of their work for the day shift, and they're overextended.Anyway, it seems the only time a cna brings someone to an activity is when we have a birthday party or food, and then they bring in people who need to be fed-and leave! If I were a cna, I would not be able to feed these people and plan/carry out/clean up the party. Since I'm not a cna, it would get us in big trouble if state walked in-let alone my nervousness about choking someone! I plan the activities, highlight on each calendar in their room which ones they enjoy or should attend as per their needs/abilities/interests, taking 3 hours each month to do so, while discussing the plans with those who can comprehend. But, guess what, at 10:00, half are still in bed; others who really have no purpose in that activity are dressed and sitting in lobby, with me not able to give them an activity. There is an aviary, tv and radio; sometimes I will put in a story on tape. But I still feel it looks like I'm just letting these people sit there doing nothing, while the others I need are still in bed. I tried to go by nursing's schedules to replan the calendar, but staff call ins and problems that occur with someone needing more attention that morning, seem to keep it from being consistent. Volunteers? Right, sometimes they don't show up and I hate to assume I can go ahead and do something for 1:1s or someone else but have to change plans. Also, people are staying home to save gas-most volunteers I have are retired; and what also happens, is when they come on Sundays for church in the afternoon they are disappointed that residents are not out, doesn't take too long before they quit. I'm allowed 40 hours wkly only-but some people, residents, volunteers, family-will comment about my not being there-my family already is unhappy that they know I would be if I could-as it is, I do so much of my planning, ordering, signs, etc. at home. Assistant only can have 20 hours wkly, and I could sure use another one for those hours-1:1s alone should technically add up to 6 hours-yet, we're expected to jump at the chance to go marketing to increase census-without adding any hours to the weekly budget. My thinking is: what good is it to take away our Residents' time to get someone convinced to come in without being there for them? Yet, when I plan things to get residents, staff family excited-NNHWeek was very lightly participated, especially with everyone else's hours cut for census-and yes, I did go over budget on staff and supplies to try to make it good, but-for my money, I'd do more good forgetting any groups and just taking 9 hours a day spending with each person a few minutes-the same few (10-15) enjoy groups but the other 45-50 would rather feel individually important and sometimes I wish I were a volunteer and that would be what I would choose to do. I have one man who comes weekly and visits all day-they love him, whether he reads Scripture or just talks about things they want to talk about.

[Guest Guest_KateAA]

Assisting a resident to activities is now everyone's job. I had a "AHA" moment a few years ago at a Care Plan meeting,,,,,As we were passing the careplans around to sign off on, it occured to me that we were signing a piece of paper that says that we will all follow what we put down. So when nursing signs off on the activities care plan it says that they are going to do what we wrote. I brought this up a couple of times when a resident wasn't up for an activity that she really wanted to go to. It only took a couple of times and discussions with the Unit Manager to get that point across. It worked for awhile and I believe it's time to bring it up again.

Assisting a resident to an activity is no different than assisting a resident to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Assisting a resident to the beauty parlor or therapy is no different than assisting a resident to activities.

You are fabulous and consider getting a job in activiites.

[Guest Tinki]

I like that Kate- remind the nurse that it is everyone's job!!!

 

Karen

[Guest MEO]

I think CNA's are in for a huge wake up.

[Guest Guest_AggieTiff]

CNAs may be in for a huge wake-up call...but who gets the "ding" on the stte inspection when they are not helping residents get to activities or being involved in activities? Does the activity department get the "ding" (that is what we call it here when we get whatever it is called for doing something wrong) or does nother dept? I know this all goes for teh entire building but I do not want any "dings" in my department, yet my department is not directly over the care staff. Thank GOD!!!! The person who is over them is very cooperative in regards to activities....I am thinking differently about our new nurse...but he has his plate full being new...so maybe in time (he really is fun and good man and doing a good job with HIS dept....so baby steps, ya know?). I am the only one in my department and I have 40 hours a week. If the care staff, other dept heads, and the volnteers were not pitching in, I would be in a world of hurt....and so would our residents. I get everything done and do not have any bad stress related to my job...but this could change in an instant, we all know that.

 

Tiff

[pvmpenny 0]

I am a CNA CMA,SSD, Bus driver & my role is AD. I see things from many different eyes . I had the same problem coming to a new facility. I had to build trust and get beyond that is the way we have always done it. I had to get all the staff but most of all the CNAs to help out to make a successful program. I started out giving a activity ticket for every resident brought to a activity at the end of the month who ever had the most tickets got a gift to show how much they was appreciated. When making my morning rounds I speak to each aid & wish them a good day, if I see they are having a bad day I have my happy hands massager & give out a short massage and tell them how much they are needed & what a good job they do. I respect that they have a hard job and a schedule they must also do. As shifts change I tell them Thank You for the help. I spend maybe 30 -45 minutes of my day this way but it saves me hours each day for I have built trust and respect the deserve. They come to me and ask who I need now and what is on the schedule. If I am out with a resident on appointments and can’t be in the building often a CNA will give up a break and fill in for me I am lucky to have a good team. I have a few volunteers, a part time person who helps me mainly with Dr., Hair Appointments & Run’s . I also have a very tight schedule with 1 on 1’s, MDS’S, & Care Plan’s it has taken me awhile to plan out and execute but some things that have helped me is : During report I tell the activities and is passed on to the whole team, during rounds I remind residents & CNAof morning

events ,Daily news with the residents at Breakfast, announce activity 30 minutes prior, after announce I start getting everyone going to the activity on time, I serve lunch also so then go table to table and remind residents of afternoon event’s. It’s not perfect but it has worked for me. I will say I can’t fit everything that is required of me in my day I still have trouble with time management I do volunteer work at home planning, shopping, newsletter, research, calendar I have a very understanding family. I do feel what we are all fighting for “Quality Time” for our residents will start coming our way when the new survey starts to hits our nursing homes in the pockets and see that a change is long over due more staff is needed. Sometimes it is easy to blame another department but they are not in charge of scheduling & budget’s all departments are having troubles meeting needs & requirements. I am always looking for a better way

[Mimi7 0]

:-x Help! I have been working as an activity director for almost 4 years. We have new a new administrator that has been here about 4 months. He called me in his office on Friday and asked me to give up my position he thinks I am in a rut. He told me someone would be in to replace me on Monday!! I am soooooo upset. I don't understand how someone can do this. True this is a slow time of the year, I have had a problem getting someone (CNA) to assist the residents up for activities. I just don't know what to do. This is a small town and not many jobs. I am just talking out my frustration I guess.

[mizncg8r 0]

Mimi, Sorry to hear this! What state are you in? Did they ask you to leave, were you fired? You need to find what are your options. Can you call corperate?

Tracy

[Miguel 4]

Each profession sets its own standards of education. The NCCAP is our professions Certifying/Credentialing body and for Activity professionals not to recognize its own Certifying/Credentialing body is kind of a slap in the face.

 

Yea sure you can be a COTA or a Rec. Therapist, but both of those professions are a different profession than that of Activties, that would be like saying an Activity Professional can do a COTA's job without any formal training. Its not within your scope of your profession. Recreational Therapists are physican ordered services and yes a Rec. Therapist may work as an activity professional, where do you think the basic activity professional education came from.......?

THE NCCAP!

 

Experience gets a person a long way and thats great, however every professional, regardless of what profession they are in needs to know the field they are working in.

 

-Miguel

[Miguel 4]

Additionally at times I hear of Activity Professioanls who say.. Getting NCCAP doesnt get you any more money......

 

I have a bachelors degree in .........

 

well....

 

Why dont you become a consultant and make another contribution to the profession! Consult in facilities and share your vast knowledge and expereince with new and up-coming activity professionals.

 

or

 

Why not become Nationally Certified so that others will know that you belong to a profession!

[Guest Guest]

Miguel---

 

I'm not sure what your last 2 posts have to do with what is being discussed here regarding survey issues and Mimi7 losing her job! Yes, I support certification and continuing education but it should be a choice of the individual (at least certification) we ALL need continuing education--in my humble opinion. I wouldn't go so far to say if someone choses not to be certified that "It's a slap i the face." I know a lot of great consultants who are not certified and a lot of great activity professionals who are not certified. Again, I do support certification as well as individual choice!!

[Guest Guest_Miguel]

My last post had nothing to do with Mimi and I do apologize if it seemed cold what I wrote, I did not even read that last post regarding Mimi and her job. but merely commented on Certification. the thread is on certification and CEU's so my response is correct in where it should be.

 

for anyone who took my thread out of context I do apologize but I did not even read any of the last posts.

 

-Miguel

[Guest Guest_Nina]

Hi

I am a CTRS and I work in GA currently as a Activity DIrector for a skilled nursing home and rehab facility. I just started this position about 1 month ago. I come from mental health background. I find that the new regulations are wanting you to look at the whole person not just the physical. This is a holistic approach, what Recreational therapy (CTRS)is based upon. So this is not new to me. I find that my co workers are surprised at my approach and how I tailor the group to each individuals needs. I have never looked at Recreational therapy as just having fun, but as purposeful interventions to produce a specific response. What they taught you in college for 4 years!!

 

I do have a problem with CEU's for my CTRS. Activity classes do not count as CEU's for a CTRS. I do not know if that is a good thing or a bad thing?

 

I do believe having your degree in TR and being a CTRS should count more towards being certified as a Activity Director vs. having to take a 36 hour class on information taught to me in a 3 hour course in college. You have taken the CTRS exam spending $400 dollars and studying countless hours of information on various populations, disabilities, settings, psychological and physical. This should count for lots more !!

[Guest Guest]

To correct a post by Tinki earlier in this thread. When you take MEPAP Part 1 and you have the other required components in place, you can apply for AAC which is Activity Assistant Certified. If I understand your post correctly Tinki, you are saying your are not certified until you are at the ADC level. This is not correct, there are 4 levels of certification through NCCAP: Activity Assistant Certified (AAC), Activity Director Certified (ADC), Activity Director Provisionally Certified (ADPC), and Activity Consultant Certified (ACC).