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Training vs Certification: Activity Professionals'
Training Activity
Pro Home | Basic Training vs Certification
| Commonly Asked Questions | Costs
I took the Basic Training Course; so I am certified, right?
It is often a misconception that once a person
completes the basic Training Course, they are automatically certified.
this is NOT the case. Don't get me wrong, completion of the Basic
Training Course is not a little feat!!!
Once a person successfully completes the Basic
Course they have satisfied
- The Colorado State regulation (9.2) that gives
the option for qualified activity staff "to have completed within
a year of employment, a training course for activity professionals
in an accredited state institution, and who has at least two years
experience in a social or recreational program, at least one year
of which was full-time in an activites program in a health care
setting".
- The OBRA long term care facilities regulation
(F248), which requires a facilities activity program to be directed
by a qualified professional. One of the options to be a qualified
activity director is "has completed a training course approved
by the State".
In order to become nationally certified as a director
with NCCAP, a person must complete additional requirements depending
on which Certification Track they pursue. In Brief
Track I
BA or BS (in a related field), 1 yr. experience, 30 CE credits
Track II
60+ college credits, 2 years experience, 30 CE
credits
Track III*
30+ college credits, 4 years experience, 30 CE
credits
*Individuals pursuing this Track must have it completed by
12/2000
Track IV
Basic Course, Advanced Course, +12 college
credits, 3 years experience, and 30 CE credits
(Please consult with the 1998 NCCAP Definitions
of Standards for detailed information re: the certification tracks.)
In summary, the Basic education and Advanced
Management Courses available through Arapahoe Community College,
and in the near future through the web, are a valuable source
of information. These courses offer college credit specifically
related to the field, which can be used towards the Activity Certificate
program, or in the near future, the Associates Degree of Applied
Science in Activity Profession. Courses also appjly toward certification
and satisfy the State and Federal regulations with regard to qualified
options; but they do NOT certify you. The state also acknowledges
national certification as another option of qualified activity
director.
QUALIFIED
According to the Federal
Government (OBRA), the activities program must be directed by a
qualified professional who...
- Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist
or an activity professional who...
- Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the State in
which practicing; and;
- Is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation
specialist or as an activites professional by a recognized accrediting
body on or after October 1, 1990; or
- Has 2 years experience in a social or recreational
program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a
patient activities program in a health care setting; or
- Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational
therapy assistant; or
- Has completed a training course approved by
the State
CERTIFIED
Track 1
Bachelors degree, 1 year experience (2000 hrs), 30 ce's
Track 2
60 college credits (incl. required coursework), 2 years
experience (4000 hours), 30 ce's
Track 3
30 college credits (must include the 90 hour Basic Education
and Advanced Management courses, and 12 additional credits, (including
required coursework areas), 3 years experience (6000 hours), and
30 ce's
ADPC
Activity Director Provisionally Certified - is designed for the
person who meets 3 of the 5 areas stated in Track #3, and then will
complete the other two areas within 5 years, to become an Activity
Director Certified (ADC)
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