DIRECTOR OF PATIENT ACTIVITY PROGRAMS, X39

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities which involve planning, developing, directing and coordinating a program of activity therapies in a state school, institution or hospital, collaborating with medical staff and heads of professional departments to eliminate conflicts with other treatment programs.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

• Plans, develops and coordinates the overall program of activity therapies, including occupational, music and recreational therapy, with other activities; serves on administrative committees; recommends policies and procedures for activity therapy programs.
• Plans and conducts staff development and training programs for professional and nonprofessional therapy personnel.
• Conducts orientation classes for volunteers, enabling volunteers to understand the scope of the program and to work more effectively with the residents.
• Screens candidates for vocational rehabilitation and places the candidate in the training area best suited to individual needs; refers residents to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation when they have acquired sufficient skills to be employed.
• Conducts regular staff meeting on therapeutic and administrative problems and on new remedial projects.
• Directs and supervises professional personnel in their conduct of musical, recreational, occupational and industrial therapy programs; coordinates the various therapy programs with other services to comply with institutional rehabilitation policies.
• Requisitions materials, supplies, and equipment necessary to the effective operation of the therapy programs.
• Prepares reports; appears before various civic, church and professional groups to interpret and explain the objectives of the therapeutic program of the institution.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

Level I:                                                Code:  X39A                                         Salary Band:   N

This job family consists of only one level and incumbent employees are responsible for performing all functions related to the position to which assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required include knowledge of therapeutic methods, techniques, principles and practices for recreational, musical, occupational and industrial therapy; of the principles and practices of administration organization and training; of supervisory methods; and of the conditions necessary for successful vocational rehabilitation.  Ability is required to implement and evaluate therapy programs in an institutional setting; to train and supervise professional and nonprofessional therapy personnel; to coordinate therapy programs with medical and psychological services; and to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Education and Experience requirements consist of a bachelor's degree and five years of professional level experience working with the mentally disabled/ill, including two years in an administrative or supervisory capacity or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

NOTE: There will be no substitution allowed for the required two years of experience working in an administrative or supervisory capacity.