ACTIVITY AIDE III

DEFINITION

This is senior-level and/or supervisory work providing client activity services in state facilities for persons with mental illness, mental retardation and/or developmental or physical disabilities.

This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills or abilities associated with this classification.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Organizes and supervises client activities in recreational, occupational, music and related therapy areas.

Assists professional activity staff responsible for the preparation of planned activities.

Supervises lower-level Activity Aides, or performs duties of comparable responsibility in planning a limited number of intensive therapeutic activities for groups or individuals.

Secures the cooperation of clients by encouraging their interest and participation in activity sessions; varies and adapts procedures used to attain desired objectives.

Observes and reports on client behavior.

Participates in evaluating client progress and prepares recommendations regarding placement of clients in activity programs.

Works with volunteers who have been assigned to assist in planned activity sessions.

Makes adequate provision for the escorting and safety of clients going to and from activity areas.

Assumes responsibility for the personal needs and safety of clients while in the activity area.

Supervises housekeeping duties in the activity area.

Assists nursing and other staff in accordance with general instructions.

Prepares and maintains progress reports and required administrative and clinical records.

Participates in staff and program planning meetings.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs)

Comprehensive knowledge of one or more activity areas such as recreation, occupational therapy, music or arts and crafts.

Comprehensive knowledge of individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with clients.

Intermediate knowledge of the general nature of physical or mental illnesses/disabilities and/or developmental disabilities.

Intermediate knowledge of the general methods of preparing for and conducting planned sessions of group activities.

Intermediate knowledge of escort procedures, precautions and appropriate techniques for assisting clients in emergencies.

Ability to learn the basic principles and methods of therapeutic recreational, occupational, music and related activities, and their application to the treatment of persons with mental illness, mental retardation and/or developmental or physical disabilities.

Ability to communicate with clients and to understand the clients' problems and needs.

Ability to establish and maintain client interest and participation in activities.

Ability to supervise and instruct clients and activity aides of lower rank.

Ability to prepare and maintain records and reports.

Ability to learn new skills related to assigned activities.

Ability to work cooperatively with others.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

(The following requirements will determine merit system eligibility, experience and education ratings, and may be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers. When practical and possible, the Division of Personnel will accept substitution of experience and education on a year-for-year basis.)

One or more years of experience as an Activity Aide II with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

Three or more years of experience working with persons with mental illness, mental retardation and/or developmental or physical disabilities in one or more of the following activity areas: recreation, music, physical education, arts and crafts, or a closely related field; including one or more years of experience in conducting planned activity sessions; and possession of a high school diploma or GED certificate.

(One year of additional qualifying experience may substitute for the last two years of required high school education.)

OR

90 or more earned credit hours from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 12 earned credit hours in one of the following fields: Music, Recreation, Physical Education, Arts and Crafts, or a closely related field.

(Minor Revision 2/22/06)