Activity Therapy Specialist 1

It is our honor and privilege to provide comfort and care to Ohio's heroes — wartime veterans from all across the state and all branches of service.

WHO ARE WE? 

The Ohio Veterans Homes, part of Ohio Department of Veterans Services, are trauma-informed care long-term care focused on providing excellent care to Ohio’s Veterans. The Veteran Homes provide direct nursing home care at facilities in Sandusky and Georgetown as well as domiciliary living to qualified veterans in Sandusky. We aim to maintain an inclusive work environment and commit ourselves to develop talented, inclusive, and dedicated employees.

To learn more about us, visit https://dvs.ohio.gov/what-we-do/work-at-odvs

ALL THE GOOD STUFF!

• Starting Hourly Pay – $21.93

• Multiple scheduled pay increases over your years of service

• Longevity increases start at your fifth year and grows as long as you stay with the State of Ohio

• Tuition Reimbursement up to $5,000 annually

• Incredible Medical Coverage begins the 1st of the month following your Start Date

• Free Dental & Vision After 1 Year

• Generous Benefits Package Including Vacation, Sick, Holiday, and Personal Leave

• Retirement/pension, deferred compensation, credit union benefits available

• View our full benefits package on https://careers.ohio.gov/why-work-for-state-of-ohio

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Organizes, plans & conducts empowerment activities to promote high self-esteem & self-respect (e.g., crafts, wood shop, sing-a-longs, cooking, gardening); maintenance activities designed to promote physical, cognitive, social, spiritual & emotional health (e.g., exercise, sports activities & events, reminiscing, current events, word games) & supportive activities to promote a comfortable environment with stimulation & solace for low functioning residents (e.g., soft music, sensory stimulation, aroma therapy, nature videos)
• Monitors nursing home residents participating in activities both individually or in group
• Assists supervisor in establishing goals & objectives for department & is instrumental in working to obtain goals set 
• Develops & evaluates activity portion of Plan of Care (e.g., interviews residents for initial activity assessment record; updates activity assessments as required; completes Minimum Data Set (MDS) on each resident; completes discharge summaries) updating progress as needed
• Plans & conducts outings, social events & special programs
• Escorts/transports residents during shopping trips, outings & activities off grounds & is often solely responsible for these residents 
• Plans monthly calendar of events & activities 
• Orients, trains & supervises volunteers assigned to activity area
• Prepares & maintains work related documentation (e.g., routine & special reports on resident activities)
• Maintains record of resident attendance, memos & reports

If you are ready for the next great step in your career……Come join us

** The schedule/hours are flexible based on the scheduled activities and trips per needs of the residents of Dom Activities Department & Nursing Home Activities Department.** 

Helpful Tips

Application Procedures:

• To be considered for this position, you must apply on-line through this posting website. (We no longer accept paper applications.)
• When completing your online Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet each minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting.
• We cannot give you credit for your qualifications, experience, education and training in the job selection process if you do not provide it in your online application.
• You can check the status of your application anytime by signing into your profile on this website.
• We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application.  

Applications must be received no later than 11:59PM of the posting deadline date listed. Applications received after 11:59PM on the deadline date will not be considered. Applications must be submitted online at http://careers.ohio.gov. Paper applications will not be accepted or considered.

The State of Ohio is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Provider of ADA Services.  The Ohio Department of Veterans Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status and/or military status in employment or the provision of services. 

NOTE: Those who are contacted for an interview should inform the Ohio Veterans Home Office of Human Resources as soon as possible if, as a result of a disability, they will need an accommodation to participate in any phase of the interview process. Such notice will not affect your eligibility to apply for this position.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Completion of associate degree in recreation or specialty area (e.g., music, art, drama); 12 mos. exp. in Activity Therapy; valid drivers’ license. Note: must have certification in animal-assisted therapy if utilizing trained animals for therapeutic goal reaching purposes.

-Or completion of undergraduate core program in recreation or specialty area (e.g., music, art, drama); valid drivers’ license.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Therapy/Therapeutical Services, Arts, Basic Documentation, Customer Service, Parks and Recreation, Creativity, Motivating Others, Teamwork, Time Management, Building Trust 

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. The applicant is required to provide details of minimum qualifications on the application form. Failure to do so will prohibit consideration of the applicant. New hires agree to participate in the State of Ohio Direct Deposit of Paycheck Program per Section 124.151(B) of the Ohio Revised Code.

Unless otherwise required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be set at the lowest rate of the salary range with gradual increases after completing probation and following successful annual performance evaluations.

The final applicant selected for this position may be required to submit to urinalysis prior to an appointment to test for illegal drug use.  The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result.  Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year (not applicable to current state employees). 

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a criminal records check as required by Section 3721.121 of the Ohio Revised Code.  Applicants who have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed in 3721.121 (C)(1)(a) may be excluded from consideration.

In accordance with the Ohio Revised Code Section 125.151 (B), all employees whose employment commenced on or after June 5, 2002, and is paid by a warrant issued by the Auditor of State, must have his or her compensation directly deposited in the institution of their choice.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.