Ohio....going to must have a bachelors degree to be a director

[MarieB 0]

In my interview yesterday, I was told that a new rule was coming into effect (not sure if just Ohio) and activity directors will have to have a bachelors degree. The person told me she would help me get grandfathered in. Does anyone know anything about this? I completed my MEPAP1 about 6 mo ago, and am now just finding my first pt job in the field.

 

 

[actnet 8]

Ask the Experts.. from Kathy Hughes, kathyhughes@activitydirector.com (Lead Instructor for ActivityDirector.org MEPAP Classroom, former President and Vice President of the NCCAP.)

 

I did some checking...sorry it took some time.... NO they do not need a

Bachelor's degree. It's a rumor in Ohio and the MEPAP Instructor that I

contacted stated that she had heard the rumor as well. She contacted

their Health Dept and the only change that they are considering is a

change in the MEPAP Instructors qualifications....

Here are the current Oh state Regs:

 

The individual required by paragraph (A) of rule 3701-17-09 of the

 

Administrative Code to direct the activities program shall meet one of

the

 

following qualifications:

 

(1) Has two years of experience in a social or recreational program

within five

 

years preceding the date of hire, one year of which was full-time in a

 

resident activities program in a health care setting;

 

(2) Is licensed as an occupational therapist under Chapter 4755. of the

Revised

 

Code;

 

(3) Is licensed as an occupational therapy assistant under Chapter 4755.

of the

 

Revised Code;

 

(4) Is certified by a nationally recognized accrediting body as a

therapeutic

 

recreation specialist or activities professional; or

 

(5) Has successfully completed training covering activities programming

from a

 

technical or vocational school, college, university, or other

educational

 

institution, and has one year of experience in recreational or

activities

 

services. Commencing one hundred and eighty days after the effective

date

 

of this rule, the minimum amount of training needed to meet this

 

requirement shall be ninety hours.

 

Hope this helps

Kathy