F249

[cigidolls 0]

Hi, I need an answer to a question, I hope someone can help me.

I went for a job interview at a 32 bed nursing home facility (Activity Director position). They were interested in hiring me due to my background as a medical assistant, licensed physical therapist assistant, BS in Communication Disorders and Activity Director Provisionally Certified. I will become certified when I finish my hours. I am currently an Activity Assistant.

Here's the question. They read F249 to state that you must have 2 years of experience no matter what your other qualifications. However part (iv) states Or "Has completed a trainig course approved by the State", which would be the MEPAP course I completed.

I have to let them know on Monday whether I'm qualified under F249.

What do you think?

[Gayle 0]

You don't say what state you are in. In Florida you have to be "qualified" and when I started in 1997 as Activity Coordinator of a TCU (they have same guidelines as LTC) that ment I had to be enrolled in an Activity course that lead to certification. I am now ADC by NCCAP. In Florida you would be able to accept the postition. Good Luck.

[Pennie 26]

hi gayle

what happen with the job? did you get it?

in texas you do not have to have the 2 years to be hired, but you do need to be certified or in the process of being certified.

[Pennie 26]

Hi,

I know that I am a little late to have helped you with your question. But I thought that I would go ahead and address this question for future reference.

The F Tag (F stands for Federal) 249 address The Regulation, Quality Of Life, the listing or Definition is under the Activity Director Job Description.

The Qualification for this tag reads:

The AD must meet the following educational and/or experience qualifications:

1) Be a qualified Recerational Therapist who is:

a) licensed or registered either Nationally or by the State in which

practicing: and

eligible for certification as a Therapeutic Recreational Specialist by a

recognized accrediting body on Aug. 1, 1989; or

2) Possess 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the

last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a Resident activities program in a

health care setting; or

3) Be a qualified Occupational Therapist or Occuoational Therapist Assistant;

or

4) Successfully complete a Training Course approved by the State.

 

 

**** You do not have to have 2 years experience, 2, 3 and 4 address this, note the or's in bold. If you are qualified, under section 1, then you can use 4.

If you have not taken the required courses to be licensed either Nationally (NCCAP.org) or by your State. It is possible for the Administrator to go ahead and hire you. All that would need to be done is for you to enroll in and take the required courses. If Surveyors and/or State came into the building and they asked about your credeintials. (You need to give the personnel dept. proof of your enrollment for the courses, check with them on excatly what they need or ask the Administrator, I would also check with the Instructor just to be sure the proper papers get into your file.) In your personnel file there will be the proof showing that you are enrolled in the qualified courses and in the process of becoming certified/licensed. This should be sufficient and avoid getting a deficiency written. *******

 

I hope this has answered your question adequately. You may want to copy this info. about the F-249 Tag for you records.

 

 

Thanks p

[Hope 0]

lllucas, if you're in here, could you try to help me with this one since you are in Indiana? Maybe you can help with my confusion. In 6 weeks, I will graduate from Vincennes University with an A.S.in Recreation Management, Therapeutic Option, which, according to the college catalog, is one of only two in programs in the state to be approved by the State Board of Health to meet Indiana Activity Director certification requirements. I have worked part-time as an activity assistant, avg 25-28 hours weekly, for 57 weeks. I have not taken the 2-week activity director's course my AD took for her certification. Will I still need to take this in order to become qualified to be an activity director in Indiana? Or does my two-year college degree cover that? If so, do I have to go to Indy or somewhere to take some kind of (expensive) test to get "certification" or a "license" (not sure if there is a difference there)? My advisor told me I will have an Associate's Degree, but not be a CTRS just because of the degree. Any information to help clarify this, so I can find a full-time position and have what I need when one is available? Thanks! :roll:

[lllucas 0]

Hi, Hope! :-)

 

Sorry to say, even if you have a 4 year degree you are required by law to complete the two week activity directors course for certification. There is no way around it. Even if a facility hires you, it be a requirement that you get that certificate within a short period of time. It's the law.

 

Best wishes on your AD future,

 

Linda Lucas, AD ;-)

http://www.theactivitydirectorsoffice.com

[Guest Guest]

That helps me plan what to do next. The previous assistant got hers through Ivy Tech in Evansville 4 years ago, but I have no idea what it will cost-it's been hard enough going through college! But I wouldn't think my facility would pay for it, knowing they don't have another full-time opening for me. Thanks again

[Pennie 26]

Hi,

Just a shorth note: You facility may be willing to pay for you to become certified. Even if they have someone on staff who is. I have gotten some facilities to pay for my Ass't to be certified. It is to their benefit to have another certified AD on staff, for reasons: If AD quits, gets fired, goes on extended leave or vaction. They have someone to step up to fill the postion, no extra cost on trainig them, no lost time on charting, getting to know the res. etc. Speak to the Admin. and bring up the benefits of it. You have nothing to lose just might get a No but hey you tried.