Activities Specialist 1 Jobs

The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Department of Human Services (DHS) merged on July 1, 2022, to form one agency, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Woodward Resource Center (WRC) is seeking aa Activity Specialist – Leisure to join our team. WRC offers a strong opportunity for advancement, growth, and development.

The mission of Woodward Resource Center is to prepare and support individuals to live in the community of their choice. Discharge planning begins at admission.

As Part Of The WRC Team

• Complete progress notes and all required documentation on leisure activities.
• Act as a liaison between leisure department and other Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) members for the purpose of ensuring on-going programming and goal development.
• Direct, develop, plan, and coordinate individualized leisure goals and programs for people in assigned caseload in order to assure Individual Support Plans are followed
• Direct, plan, and coordinate large group activities.
• Determine amount of money per person to be spent on each activity, coordinate account balances for people attending with TPM's. Deliver green slips to Business Office, obtain checks for trips, cash and make funds available to staff going on trip. Turn all receipts in per guidelines.
• To assist staff with on and off campus activities that meets the needs of their Individuals.
• Assist the Director in identifying programmatic issues, problems, etc. and assist in problem solving systemic and in Individual issues.
• Minimum of 16 hrs. of direct services are to occur monthly during weekends: 6:00am Saturday through midnight Sunday.
• Direct, plan and coordinate general leisure program at the houses to develop socialization, self-expression, new skills and abilities.
• Act as liaison between Leisure Department and Team in matters important to both such as Summerfest, State Fair, etc.
• Minimum of 6 hrs. of direct services are to occur weekly during the late afternoon/evening hours after 5:30 pm.
• Direct, plan, and coordinate Special Olympic events as well as coach and assist with the coaching of identified Special Olympic events and activities.
• Provide leisure activity training to house staff as needed and appropriate.
• Attend required training for Woodward Resource Center as determined by policy and standards of ICF-ID regulations.
• To assist in the supervision and escorting Individuals on various community trips which are beneficial and meet their needs
• Do necessary preparations for trips, e.g. check admission prices, schedule tours and contact agencies as necessary to obtain specific information.
• Prepare and distribute memos to all affected staff and departments relative to activities planned.
• Coordinate Team staff involvement in leisure by submitting a monthly leisure calendar to TPM for approval.
• Prepare necessary leisure reports for clients being considered for outplacement. This will assist the prospective facility in transitioning the Individual in the area of leisure/vocational needs.
• Coordinate Leisure Activities across Houses Teams and Community
• Compile and analyze data to ensure compliance with ICF-ID regulations.
• Attend other meetings as schedule permits and/or as requested by supervisor.
• Meet regularly with, Activity Aides, Treatment Program Managers (TPM's) and Resident Treatment Supervisors (RTS's).
• Other related duties as assigned.
• May attend state professional meetings of national, state and/or local organizations which relate to fields of leisure for assigned caseload.
• Monitor on-going participation of Woodward Resource Center (WRC) clients in the community to ensure positive growth and skill development
• Provide input as requested, relevant to changes and updates in leisure policies and procedures.
• Attend and participate in client annual evaluations, MIR/QPTR’s and 30-day updates, for all Individuals in assigned caseload. Prepare and present annual assessments and report on each Individual's participation and progress in the area of leisure programming.
• Develop relationships and foster on-going relationships between WRC Individuals and community persons as specified in Individual Support Plans (ISP's) and program development. VI. Professional Development
• Attend IDT meetings to make recommendations on client involvement in leisure activities receive communication; discuss needs for improvement and changes relative to the Individuals served.
• Submit food requests to Campus Food Service Department.
• Direct, plan and coordinate specific leisure programs and goals in order to set up 1:1 projects, and small group programs for people in assigned caseload.
• Develop and modify programs as indicated by the QDIP, IFMC, and Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals
• Orient assigned staff to policies and procedures and provide training explaining activities to be completed, answering questions and being a resource.
• Review programs set up by the IDT for assigned Individuals to assure adequacy and that they are being carried out. Make recommendations for necessary changes and improvement in the Individuals plan of care based on data reviewed in the Individual's Interdisciplinary Plan Record (IPR) and direct observation. monitor and train leisure programs and goals.
• Submit transportation requests to vehicle dispatcher as needed.
• Maintain supply of leisure activities and materials at houses in assigned caseload. Review requests for appropriateness of activities and individuals to be involved and keep an on-going inventory of all leisure supplies/materials.
• Attend department meetings for the purpose of communication, presenting problem areas for discussion, planning and coordination of activities with other activity specialists.
• Train, monitor, and conduct integrity checks on programs and activities to ensure compliance with all regulatory agencies.

Enjoy the benefits of working for the State of Iowa.

Benefits

Below are some of the benefits the State of Iowa offers

The State of Iowa offers a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off and workplace opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

• Paid Holidays
• Retirement (IPERS and deferred compensation)
• Vacation
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discount Programs
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Flexible Spending Account (medical and dependent care)
• Competitive Health and Dental Package
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

New to the area or looking to relocate to Iowa? Visit This is Iowa to see how Iowa offers something for everyone- competitively low cost of living, bustling cities and neighborhoods, access to entertainment , opportunities for career growth and unrivaled access to outdoor adventures .

HHS values those with “lived experience” and encourages adults who were fostered as youth, foster parents, and/or parents who were in the DHS system to apply. Minorities, women, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply (Hearing and Speech Impaired – Relay Iowa 1-800-735-2942 TDD).

Under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS’s) new vaccine mandate for healthcare workers (published on November 5, 2021 and affirmed by the United States Supreme Court on January 13, 2022), all potential employees of this facility must have received, at a minimum, the first dose of a primary series or a single dose vaccine OR have an approved religious or medical exemption (as determined by the agency) OR have documentation reflecting a temporary delay in vaccination (as determined by the agency in accordance with CDC allowances), prior to the start date. Candidates shall coordinate with agency staff to ensure all requirements are met before the individual provides any care, treatment, or other services for the facility and/or its clients.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in art, the behavioral/social sciences, industrial therapy, music, occupational therapy, physical education, recreation, rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation, or other closely related fields;

OR

experience at a level comparable to Activities Assistant or above may be substituted in any equivalent combination for the required education on the basis of one year of experience for each thirty-semester hours of education to a maximum of four years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to two years of full-time work as an Activities Assistant.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.

Additional Qualification Requirements

Designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain the required Commercial Drivers License and endorsements within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.

At the time of interview, applicants referred to Glenwood and Woodward State Hospital-Schools will be assessed to determine if they meet federal government employment requirements as published in the Federal Register, Volume 39, No. 12, Thursday, January 17, 1974, Section 20-CFR-405.1101.