Activity Director Training Program

To view upcoming training dates, please see the Schedule of Events

IHCA-ICAL is pleased to present this Activity Directors Training Course. Well trained and motivated activity staff, significantly add to the quality of life of residents in nursing facilities. This course is designed to provide a basic training for those new to the activity profession. This training is also an excellent course for activity assistants and the most experienced Activity Director.

• This course has been approved by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Bureau of Facility Standards, to meet the training requirements set forth in Federal Regulation F248.
• Record of Training: This program consists of classroom training (six modules/34 hours), and supervised experience conducting the functions of Activity Directors in a LTC facility (1040 hours).
• Classroom training takes place every 6 months at the IHCA-ICAL Classroom in Meridian, ID.

The format for this training program is competency (skill level) based - with a focus on the participant.   Each competency is a statement that represents the knowledge, skills and attitude that effective Activity Directors should have.   Each participant brings a unique background and varied experiences to this class. Participants are encouraged to self-assess their abilities to perform the competencies by completing the self-assessment tool in the beginning of each module. The intent of this exercise is to identify areas of expertise that should be most focused upon for self-improvement.

There are six modules. Each module concentrates on a major duty area of the job of an Activity Director. At the end of each module there is a self-assessment tool of knowledge. Each participant should complete the self-assessment so as to identify how well the module content is understood.

The information content presented is not meant be all-inclusive. Many skills are learned best by doing. The learning resources available to the Activity Director are many, and self-directed learning following this course of training is strongly encouraged. Indeed, even essential to future success in the Activity Profession.

Hours Of Instruction:
This training program meets one of the qualifying options for Activity Directors identified in the document, Guidance To Surveyors – Long Term Care Facilities (Tag Number F249, pp 59), issued by Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Bureau of Facility Standards.

The participant is required to complete thirty four (34) hours of instruction.

Actual work experience in a long term care facility is also required for successful course completion. 1040 hours of supervised experience is mandatory (hours accumulated prior to attending the training can be included).

To summarize, the key components of this course are:

• Attending each classroom session
• Completing each self-study assignment
• Achieving 1040 hours of supervised work experience which encompasses: Planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating projects and/or programs for residents.

Sample Training Agenda: