 1. Federal Law, OBRA,
states that an activity department must be
directed by a "qualified professional."
One of the ways to become qualified is to become
a Certified Activity Professional.
2. NCCAP certification is recognized
by the Centers for medicaid and medicare services (CMS), formerly
HCFA, as an organization that certifies activity professionals
who work specifically with the elderly.
3. NCCAP
certification assures administrators and
surveyors that you have met certain professional
standards to become certified.
4. Many
administrators will only hire activity
professionals who are already certified.
5. Some
administrators offer a higher salary to a
certified professional.
6. Become NCCAP
certified so others will know that you are
nationally qualified and giving quality activity
service to residents/clients.
A.
ACADEMIC EDUCATION
May derive from a wide variety of curriculums:
Social Work, Recreation, Education, and Business
degrees. These are a few of the educational
backgrounds that represent our certified members.
CLICK HERE for more detailed information.
B.
ACTIVITY EXPERIENCE
Activity work experience with elderly
populations, where at least 50% are 55+ years of
age. Some volunteer work with elderly clients may
be applied. CLICK HERE for more detailed
information.
C.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
Current education (within past 5 years):
workshops, seminars, college courses that keep
the activity professional abreast of present
trends. NCCAP's Body of Knowledge contains 27
areas of education with many subheadings that are
applicable. CLICK HERE for more detailed
information.
D.
CONSULTING EXPERIENCE
May include: advising a group, working one to
one, teaching a class, conducting workshops,
publishing professional articles, supervising
students and/or managing 5 or more activity staff
persons. CLICK HERE for more detailed
information.
FEES
The cost of being certified initially ranges from
$45 to $65 depending upon the level. Renewal is
required every two years with 20-40 hours of
continuing education and a fee of $40. CLICK HERE
for more detailed information.
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