Art Instructor, Adult Day Services

Summary:  The Arc of Union County Inc. is a leading provider of Person Centered human services to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Licensed Professional Art Therapist develops a person-centered evidence-based and personalized Art Therapy curriculum providing serenity to individuals served by enriching their self-expression through the creation of art. The Art Instructor, Adult Day Services plans or conducts art therapy sessions to improve holistic wellness of individuals served in domains such as cognitive, behavioral, psychological, emotional well-being and much more. The professional integrates research findings into practice and performs tasks consistent with HIPAA laws and agency guidelines, provides services within ethical guidelines of the ATCB code of Ethics, conduct and disciplinary procedures, and demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the theories and ethical skills used in Art Therapy.    

The Art Instructor, Adult Day Services Develop Art Therapy Curriculum for review and approval by department head. Develops/Designs varied Art Therapy lessons in line with the departmentally designed Annual Enrichment Program Schedule for review and approval by department head and deliver the therapeutic activities consistently. Conducts art therapy sessions providing guided self-expression experiences to help individuals served recover from or cope with cognitive, emotional, self-esteem, psychological, or physical impairments.

Skills: This position requires Proficiency in Windows software, Ability to use a data entry software such as Therap, Ability to complete Shift and Individual Served ISP Data entry in web based electronic platform. Ability to develop a person-centered evidence-based and personalized Art Therapy curriculum. Utilize evidence-based interventions ensuring the achievement of person-centered goals and objectives. Strong conceptual and computer skills required. Demonstrate a positive, professional appearance and attitude, sensitivity to participants’ issues and feelings. Must have a positive, upbeat personality with a strong desire to motivate service recipients. Maintain and demonstrate current clinical knowledge in area of specialty. Ability to exercise evidence based clinical decisions. Demonstrate active listening and Exceptional interpersonal skills. Demonstrate compassion, excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, compliance with professional ethical conduct, demonstration of critical thinking, attention to detail, confidence, adaptability stamina and commitment to development.  Demonstrated ability to thrive and perform in an ever-changing, fast paced and demanding environment. 

Qualifications:   Master Degree required.  Board Certified Registered Art Therapist (ATR-BC) with a plan to obtain a New Jersey Art Therapy License or be grandfathered into the license once the licensure bill is enacted into law. Membership in the American Art Therapy Association preferred. Experience working with individuals with Intellectual disabilities or related field. Must be 18 years of age or older. Must have a valid New Jersey driver’s license and abstract (not to exceed 5 points), and ability to meet agency insurability requirements. Complete State/Federal Criminal Background checks and Central Registry checks.

Major Position Responsibilities

Develop Art Therapy Curriculum for review and approval by department head.

Develop/Design varied Art Therapy lessons in line with the departmentally designed Annual Enrichment Program Schedule for review and approval by department head and deliver the therapeutic activities consistently.

Conduct art therapy sessions providing guided self-expression experiences to help individuals served recover from or cope with cognitive, emotional, self-esteem, psychological, or physical impairments.

Conduct evaluation and customize art therapy programs to meet the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Design art therapy sessions or programs to meet specific individual needs. 

Organize and carry out individual and group sessions. 

Instruct individuals or groups in the use of art media, such as paint, clay, yarn, etc.

Interpret the artistic creations of individuals served to assess their functioning, needs, or progress.

Observe and document individuals’ served reactions, progress, or other outcomes related to art therapy in agency approved domains/software.

Build therapeutic rapport with the individuals served, acknowledge their progress, or reflect upon their reactions to the artistic process.

Document progress notes or clinical reports related to individual served in Therap Software. 

Conduct information sharing sessions, such as in-service workshops with other professionals as directed.

Coordinate art showcases to display artwork produced by individuals served as directed.

Collect information on Art Therapy field events including cost, registration, accommodation, venue requirements, capacities, parking, etc.

Facilitate advance planning, timely coordination and communications with supervisors on approved field trips for individuals served to museums or other public displays of art.

Recommend needed art supplies or equipment.

Select or prepare artistic media or related equipment or devices to accomplish therapy session objectives consistent with HIPAA laws and agency guidelines. 

Participate in community activities and/or professional organizations as directed.

Review/research literature in art therapy, psychology, or related disciplines for professional development, and application of evidence-based practices. 

Implement strategies necessary to assist the individual in progressing toward his/her personally defined outcomes as indicated in the Individual Service Plan (ISP), a Person Centered Plan (PCPT) or Service Detail Report (SDR). 

Log into Therap Daily and review all logs, Email, & S.Comm as required, rotate daily in attending to or supporting different individuals in program, rotate in various shift tasks namely: Rotation in community activities facilitation, Rotation in Med Administration & Meal prep, Rotation in Hygiene Support & Life Skills Training, Rotation in program cleaning, Rotation in Therap Data entry, Rotation in checking off on shift tasks as designated in Therap etc.

To ensure that the agency is able to bill Medicaid for the services provided, during shift  or before the end of shift enter/input ISP in Therap Daily for the service (s) provided to the service recipient directly during shift i.e. personal care goals, ISP/IHP goals. Correct any missed entries. 

Follow the developed weekly shift assignment schedule outlining daily staff rotations in assignments. 

Maintain regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty. Lack of adherence to assigned work schedule, abrupt call outs, patterned absences etc. undermines agency’s obligation to provide consistent staffing, safe care and exerts hardship in the smooth operation of the program.  

Record data (in Therap) relative to assigned outcomes for service recipients, including ISP tracking, Daily Training Record (DTR) etc. 

Document and communicate to Supervisor, Day Habilitation any changes on the service recipient needs or functional abilities.   

Recognize and respect rights, encourage independence, recognize and value competence and dignity, respect cultural/religious needs and preferences, promote social inclusion, preserve integrity, support strengths, maintain the quality of life, enhance all domains/areas of development and promote safety.

Promote individual interactions and experiences by emphasizing on age-appropriate artistic community experiences and offering a variety of activities and choices.

Contribute to establishing, maintaining and improving the work place environment encouraging respectful interactions with colleagues, support of peers, and identification of issues in need to be addressed. 

Communicate effectively and professionally with management, co-workers, service recipients, families, guardians, support coordinators, case managers and others as necessary.

Complete and maintain all required documentations as directed and in accordance with DDD Day Habilitation Standards, Supports Program Standards, Center for Medicaid Services requirements, agency Operational Standards etc. and participate towards a successful day habilitation inspection/audit and attainment of a 3 Year Day Habilitation Certification. 

This position provides assistance to individuals during community trips, and assures the safety and supervision of participants. This encompasses monitoring and supporting individuals served in all outside activities and ensuring individuals served are under proper care when handed off to another program or staff member and accounted for at all times.

Follow assigned schedule and time keeping/payroll procedures.

Communicate effectively, and provide required information to service recipients, co-workers, and management in a timely manner.

Assure timely, thorough and effective communications regarding program, employee operations, to all appropriate parties including but not limited to program staff, supervisor, director and/or executive designee.

Serve as an advocate for service recipients needs and ensure the effective flow of communication to the Program Supervisor, Director or other appropriate administrative or support staff to address those needs. 

Complete all required documentation relative to vehicle or transportation services. Ensure Agency vehicles are driven in a safe manner.

Proper administration of medications and completion of all appropriate documentation; monitor individuals served after Medication Administration. Comply with medical, dietary and other physician orders as stated; report any arising medical concerns in accordance with policies and procedures.

Responsible for writing the date, the time and their initials on the bubble pack/bingo cards after administering medication.

Conduct required safety drills as directed by supervisor, Day Habilitation.

Attend staff meetings and trainings as directed.

This position provides assistance to individuals during community trips, and assures the safety and supervision of participants. This encompasses monitoring and supporting individuals served in all outside activities and ensuring individuals served are under proper care when handed off to another program or staff member and accounted for at all times.

Initiate “on call” procedures with respect to arising incidents including 911 emergency calls, life threatening incidents, and/or operational breakdown etc. and complete Unusual Incident Reports (UIR) in a timely manner consistent with agency policy and state law. 

Responsible to report to immediate Supervisor or through the chain of command any suspected incidents of abuse, neglect or exploitation of service recipients and complete Unusual Incident Reports (UIR) in a timely manner consistent with agency policy and state law. 

Responsible for safeguarding agency property.

Monitor service recipients, ensure their safety and report any changes as per the policy. May accompany Individuals served to Emergency Room as needed.

Perform duties according to the methods, manner and spirit of the ideals of the field of Human Services and within profession/job specific guidelines, including wearing appropriate attire, being a role model for staff, service recipients etc. 

Must fully cooperate with all investigations, inspections, etc. internally and externally including full cooperation with the Department of Human Services, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, or any other duly authorized person  regarding the care and service given to individuals’ served by this Agency.

The Arc of Union County, Inc. is contracted with the New Jersey Department of Human Services to provide and facilitate essential personal care and health promotion services to individuals with disabilities and other comorbid conditions. As an essential employee, you are required to adhere to your assigned operations work schedule and/or as directed by upper management. 

ADA Expectations 

This position requires an employee to perform duties in an indoor and or outside setting where exposure to weather elements, dirt, and dust, unpleasant smells, and/or loud noises are possible including occasional temperature fluctuations depending on the climate/season/weather. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands: The physical demands for this position must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to maintain a stationary position (standing and sitting), move/traverse, kneel, bend, reach with hands and arms for extended periods of time, twist, carry, lift up to 35 pounds, squat and drive a 6-person passenger van, may require operating manual devices such as hydraulic lifts, wheelchair lifts, vehicle doors, etc. for the purpose of transporting service recipients. Agility with wrist and finger dexterity to access, key and sort electronic information or file documents, ability to view computer and/or electronic device for extended period and other physical duties as directed by your supervisor and/or Director.

Ability to apply Agency Training Crisis Management Verbal and Physical Techniques during a crisis consistent with criteria as trained and in accordance with agency policies and procedure.

The essential Cognitive Functions of this position may include ability to analyze, compute, hear and repeat information, take notes, read documents, generate written information, independently problem solve, tolerate interruptions, maintain positive public relations, organize, verbally communicate and converse with a diverse group of people among others. 

The Arc of Union County will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with a disability so that they can perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace and the threat cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation or if the accommodation creates an undue hardship to The Arc of Union County. 

The Arc of Union County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against due to a disability. 

Work Environment – The agency offers safety trainings such as Universal Precautions/Infectious diseases, COVID-19 Education and Safety Practices among others to promote a safe environment for all employees and service recipients including visitors. Personal Protective Equipments and necessary supplies such as disinfectants are supplied to all employees free or charge. Each employee is responsible to complete offered trainings and implement the health and safety protocols and mitigation practices consistently. 

The agency may assign employees to any duties and to any work site it deems necessary in its sole discretion.