The primary purpose of the Activity Assistant position is to assist in planning, organizing, developing and implementing the resident activity programs of the facility.
· Assist in planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities based on residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.
· Assist in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family as directed by the Activity Director.
· Assist in maintaining a balance of recreational activities based on the particular demographics of the residents.
· Assist in coordination of activity schedules with other departments as necessary.
· Communicate residents’ programs to residents, residents’ families, volunteers, and facility staff.
· Decorates monthly bulletin boards indicating future activities, holiday themes, and/or picture review of past activities.
· Assists in transportation of residents within the facility from one area of activity to another.
· Participate in group activities to ensure maximum involvement by interested residents.
· Help read incoming mail, and address and post outgoing mail upon the resident’s request.
· Arrange transportation for field trips as requested.
· Assist in making appointments for the residents as requested.
· Assist in scheduling movies, planning parties, and providing games/activities for residents.
· Encourage residents to participate in hobbies, crafts and other activities. Provide materials as necessary.
· Supervise activities as necessary in the absence of the Director and/or Assistant Director.
· Provide reading materials in various formats i.e., Braille, tapes, large print, etc. as necessary.
· Assist in providing library services for residents through cooperation with local library.
· Make routine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc. as necessary.
· Assist in arranging for special events i.e., bazaars, picnics, birthdays, anniversaries as necessary.
· Assist bed bound residents by visiting them, writing letters, running errands, reading, etc.
· Perform clerical duties as assigned by Activity Director or Assistant Director.
· Perform daily, weekly and Monthly duties as described on attached Addendum.
· Assist the Activity Director in developing comprehensive assessments and progress notes of the activity needs of each resident.
· Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms that may signify a physical change in resident’s condition that could require nursing intervention. Report changes to charge nurse and Activity Director.
· Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.
· Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as requested by the Activity Director.
· Provide written and/or oral reports of the programs and activities as required by the committee.
· Assist the Activity Director in evaluating and implementing recommendations from established committees as they may relate to activity services.
· Assist in planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities based on residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.
· Assist the Activity Director in orienting new associates, activity personnel and/or volunteers to the activity department.
· Review and inventory activity supplies and equipment and recommend to the Activity Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.
· Assist in conducting periodic checks of equipment to assure that all equipment is in good working order.
· Check supply rooms to be sure that activity supplies are on hand to conduct scheduled activities.
· Ensure that appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary activity and departmental cleaning functions.
· Assist in the development of safety standards for the activity department.
· Monitor volunteers to assure they are following established safety and infection control regulations, policies and procedures.
· Ensure that department work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe manner.
· Follow all facility infection control, communicable disease, isolation and hazardous conditions policies and procedures.
· Be sure that protective clothing/devices are on hand for handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.
· Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
· Knock before entering a resident’s room.
· Ensure that all activity personnel are knowledgeable of the resident’s right and responsibilities, including the right of refusal.
· Review complaints made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Activity Director indicating what action/s were taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
· Participate in resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.