January 7, 2011

The Activity Director

This is the first of an ongoing series that explores the career options for students of our classes. To begin, we'll take a closer look at the Activity Director class.

Activity Directors are the people who plan group and solo activities for residents of nursing homes and long term care facilities. State licensing requirements for nursing homes almost always require a facility to have an Activity Director on staff, or at least available to the residents part-time. An Activity Director must be able to plan and run a variety of activities that will appeal to residents of all ages and cognitive/physical abilities--no easy task! He or she must also be able to budget, direct staff, and coordinate events both inside and outside of a facility. The job requires skills in many areas, but most of all, a person must truly love working with people.

The WeCareOnline Activity Director class is currently available in nine states, and more are coming soon. Students have four weeks to complete the class, and must accomplish 45 hours of work in that time. Since the class is available 24/7, many students finish before the four weeks are up, and all appreciate being able to study on their own schedule. The class consists of four units which cover the basics of person-centered care, the aging process, cognitive issues, and psychosocial needs. The class also covers the business end of an Activity Director's job, and students learn how to work with facility budgets, how to manage internal and external resources, and how to plan and provide activities to best meet the residents' needs. In four weeks or less, students are ready with the skills they need to work as a facility's Activity Director. There is no other required training or certification needed to work in the states where this class is approved.

Job prospects for Activity Directors are good, and the US Department of Labor reports that this is a field that's growing faster than average. They anticipate 14-19% growth in this field between now and 2018. Need for long term care is also on the rise as Americans are living longer and often need managed care in their later years. If you love working with people, and enjoy the challenge of planning activities to meet a diverse set of needs, this is the career for you.

WeCareOnlineClasses.com

96 comments:

  1. Can you use this for certification in Connecticut?

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  2. can you use this certification in Marylad

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  3. Replies
    1. I got mine in Texas from we care online it's been 2 years

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  4. can u use this certification in ga email me please --drewnaz@pineland.net

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  5. Is this certification good for South Carolina ?

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  6. This course is good in Washington, New Mexico, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Tennessee, Ohio and New Hampshire. It may work for other states as well but we have not checked with other states to know.

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    1. What about GA and SC

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    2. What about Florida?

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    3. How about in california?

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    4. How about Arkansas

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    5. We Care Online has Activity Director/Assistant/Aide in
      California
      Iowa
      Kansas
      Kentucky
      Minnesota
      Missouri
      Nebraska
      New Hampshire
      New Mexico
      Oklahoma
      South Dakota
      Tennessee
      Texas
      Washington
      Wisconsin

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    6. Is the Class certified and accredited?

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  7. Just to clarify, it meets the regulation requirements for Minnesota's Activity Director?

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    1. The Minnesota Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators let us know that Minnesota does not require a state approval for this class. You are free to take it and use the Certificate of Completion.

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  8. Would this class be approved for the State of Nebraska?

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    Replies
    1. Unfortunately, this course is not state approved in Nebraska YET. I'm working on it. :)

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    2. But you say it is for TEXAS. So what is it ?? Yes or No

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  9. This course is not good.for california?

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    1. Sorry - this class is not good for CA. They require more courses to go along with.

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    2. This course now works in California, but as an Activity Assistant. An Activity Director in CA needs to take a course approved for California.

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  10. Is this certificate good in WI?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, this course should be fine for WI unless their guidelines have changed in the last year. Check with your facility to make sure!

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  11. Is it good in Minnesota?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry, my question was answered by a previous question, I didn't read everything before I posted.

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    2. LOL - No problem. Now we're clear. :)

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  12. What textbook do we need for this course?

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  13. So if you take this course will you be a "Certified Activity Director"?

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    Replies
    1. You get a "Certificate of Completion." It's not good in every state.

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    2. Is it good in Florida

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  14. Does this course met the requirements for the State of Oklahoma? Also, is it NCCAP approved?

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    Replies
    1. Hi - Yes, this course is approved by the state of OK.

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  15. Is this course approved in Indiana?

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    1. Sorry - No, this course does not work in Indiana.

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  16. I have been working as an activity director for 13 years now I am needing to become certified, does any of my experience count, I have been running the program myself all these years. I

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  17. Is this course accepted in NC?

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  18. Is this class approved by NC DHHS and/or NC DHSR

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    Replies
    1. Wendy, this course is not approved in NC. Sorry!

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  19. Is this accepted in Alabama

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    1. We have not offered this course in AL as we have not researched the state requirements. Maybe someday!

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  20. Is this course accepted in Kansas?

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  21. if it's not approved in Texas why is it an option to check the box for what state you want to take it in?

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    1. Are on our website? I'm not sure where you are seeing this. There should not be an option to choose this class under Texas classes.

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    2. Was the Texas question ever answered?

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  22. Is this course accepted in texas?

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  23. Is this course accepted in ALABAMA?

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  24. Courses Available in Texas (copied off your web site)

    Medical Transcription-Scribe
    Activity Director
    Social Service Assistant
    Restorative Aide
    Train The Trainer
    Health Unit Coordinator (HUC)
    Microsoft Word for Medical Professionals - NEW!
    Medical Terminology I
    Medical Terminology II - NEW!
    Pharmacy Technician

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    1. Did you ever get a straight answer?

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    2. No. Is this an approved certification for Texas?

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    3. This course is approved for TX. It fulfills the Texas Health and Human Services Commission requirements for an Activity Director in Texas

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  25. Do you have to be a CNA to be an AD?

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  26. Has this course been approved and work in the state of Kansas?

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  27. Is this course NAAPC approved

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  28. I see the next class starts on 6/13. When is the latest I can sign up and pay for the class?

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  29. Upon completion of the Activity Director Course are there any CEU credit hours given to Assisted Living Operators or Registered Nurses?

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  30. Is there financing available

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  31. Is there financing available

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  32. Is this good in texas.

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  33. Were can we get the text book for activity class.

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  34. when does your next class start for texas

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  35. Is the certificate for AD accepted in Texas

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  36. Is this good in San Antonio texas for AD?Please email me christinaknowles44@gmail.com

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    1. This course is approved for TX. It fulfills the Texas Health and Human Services Commission requirements for an Activity Director in Texas

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  37. I also read the part where it advertises for Texas specifically? Now you're saying no it doesn't?

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    1. This course is approved for TX. It fulfills the Texas Health and Human Services Commission requirements for an Activity Director in Texas

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  38. Is this good in San Antonio Texas?

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  39. hi is this course been approved for the state of florida?

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  40. Can I take this course if I live in Florida?

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  41. Would I b certified if I move from Texas to Georgia being activity director

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  42. Has your course been approved by texas yet?

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  43. Are there any sites to see what nursing homes appreciate the activities staff and which ones you can tell just keep a skeleton crew around because they have to have one or two?

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  44. Still would like to know if this course has been approved for Texas

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    1. Yes I would like to know if this course is approved in Texas

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    2. This course is approved for TX. It fulfills the Texas Health and Human Services Commission requirements for an Activity Director in Texas

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  45. Hi I am interested to be a activity director but is the certificate good in Texas

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  46. can i use this certificate in Nigeria?

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  47. Is this certificate good in Texas

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    Replies
    1. I’m wondering the same thing. Did you get a reply?

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    2. This course is approved for TX. It fulfills the Texas Health and Human Services Commission requirements for an Activity Director in Texas

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  48. Hello, I took the course here for Activity Director in the state of Texas, is there a recertification class I have to take?

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  49. Hello ,

    I took this class last year in September 2020. For Activity Director 45 hr. class for Texas. Do I need to take a renewal class ??

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  50. Hi! Activity director is good in texas. ?

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  51. This is not good for the state of Texas. This is just a class that earns you a certificate. You will not be recognized as a Certified Activities Director in Texas

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    1. Hello, I live in Texas and want to be a Certified Activity Director. This class thats offered wont allow that to happen? Is this course a waste of money?

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    2. This course is approved for TX. It fulfills the Texas Health and Human Services Commission requirements for an Activity Director in Texas

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  52. i have my activity director licence , i need some courses as a continue education ?

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