How to get started as an Activities Director

[MarieB 0]

I am new to this board, and am hoping to learn a lot of information on how to obtain my goal as an activities director. I have many questions to ask.

 

Training....What training is needed to become an activities director. I am looking into a 4 month home study activity director course by Rowlett & Laker, Inc, out of Ft. Wayne, IN. I live in Ohio.

 

Is it required to have a 2 or 4 yr degree, or is taking the activities director course enough.

 

Are these positions typically fulltime or part time. While researching, I did find both. I am looking to do it fulltime.

 

Is there opportunity to work only weekends in this position. (So I can keep my current job to get my foot in the door and experience)

 

While researching activities director jobs, some places state they prefer you to be an STNA also, is that typical for this job. Would that be an asset to my resume to be a certified STNA. Being an STNA is not my goal or choice of a career.

 

Pay scale....can anyone give me a pay range that is typical for someone starting new in this career. I called a local LTC center/Assisted living center and they start at $8 per hour, do not require any training, and had an ad in the paper for the position approximately every 3 to 4 months. I find $8 per hour quite low for this job.

 

I have tried to do research on this, but whenever I try to find jobs/pay information, etc for Activities Director, it comes up Recreational Therapist.

 

Thank you for any information, guidance, suggestions anyone can give me to get me started on the right path to becoming an Actitivies Director.

[Pennie 26]

Hi.. Activties is a great field to work in.. the rewards are unmeasurable.. the pay varies from Facility to Facility.. your question about Recreation Therapist Jobs.. this is one of the titles associated with the field of Activity Recreation Therapist, Activity Director, TR, Activity Coordinator ...

 

The two major classifications are Activity Director and TR .. Activity Director usually refers to programs related to providing activity and recreation for the elderly 55+ and older, whereas a TR is a more specialized training including recreation therapy for hospitals and various other institutions with a broad reach of residents and ages.

 

Our board mainly caters to Activity Directors in Long Term Care, Assisted Living, Residential Care, Home Health, Adult Daycare providing recreation for senior adults.

 

This is a great industry to get your foot in the door on weekends !! Volunteers are invalualuable to an AD working with senior adults. Visit your local Adult Daycare, Long Term Care, or Assisted living facilities and inquire with the Activity Director as to becoming involved in his or her program.

 

To become Qualified and or Certified as an AD or Activity Director its recommended to participate in a Activity Director Training course, you had mentioned Rowlett and Laker, MEPAP Progam.. At-Home Course .. I have heard nothing but good things about this class and these instructors, very established organization. We also offer an Online MEPAP Class at http://www.activitydirector.org The Activity Directors Network, Online Classroom .

 

The pay does vary as I mentioned above, as with any job, the pay is somewhere between what they offer and what you "ask" for. Its determined on your qualifications , your education, and your zend for life, your ability to think on your feet, your ability to care, love and inspire 101%

,, as with all things in life, the least you can expect to recieve is what you ask for! and AD's are priceless to their residents.

 

 

hope this helps.. Pennie

 

 

Link to the Federal Regulation (ftag249 f249) for Activity Directors as set forth by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - CLICK HERE

Link to Activity Director.org Online Classroom MEPAP 1 Information Packet - CLICK HERE