Activities Assistant

JOB SUMMARY:

Assists the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator in carrying out individual and group activities to meet the psycho social needs of each resident.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Treats all information about residents, their condition, and family as confidential information.
2. Complies with established Corporate and Departmental policies and procedures, and maintains established standards and practices.
3. Helps develop, coordinate and assist residents to programs and activities.
4. Develops and guides Reality Orientation activities (daily announcement, current events, large calendars, visual aides, seasonal decorations,...)
5. Schedules regular use of Homewood’s van to include scenic drives, shopping trips, transportation to community events, etc.
6. Assists in assigning volunteers to specific job responsibilities in activities, making sure the volunteer has adequate materials and supervision.
7. Participates in resident care planning when pertinent information can be helpful.
8. Facilitates in special functions from outside groups and special activities on weekends and evenings.
9. Documents and charts attendance of all activities and reports observed changes in resident’s physical and emotional status to the licensed nurse.
10. Performs other functions as directed by the supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Ability to read, write and understand English well.
2. Has compassion, understanding and empathy for older persons.
3. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
4. Ability to listen and to communicate to residents at a level they can understand.
5. Ability to and enjoys encouraging and motivating older persons.
6. Qualities of creativity, resourcefulness and imagination in planning resident activities.
7. High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
8. Ability to drive Homewood’s van and has a valid driver’s license.
9. Experience working with elderly preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to constantly work on their feet during an 8 hour shift. Sometimes involved in assisting with resident transfers or repositioning. Must be able to react quickly and decisively in emergency situations and during unexpected behavior of residents. Must be able to push residents who are in a wheel chair frequently throughout an 8 hour shift (and be able to drive the company van.)