ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

JOB SUMMARY: 

The primary purpose of the Activity Director position is to plan, organize, develop and direct the overall operation of the Activity Department.

 JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Administrative Functions

·        Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the activity programs of this facility.

·        Assist in the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies and procedures.

·        Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Administrator.

·        Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

·        Develop and maintain policies and procedures for the identification of medically related activity needs of the resident.

·        Refer resident/family to appropriate social service personnel when necessary.

·        Refer resident/families to appropriate business office personnel as to Medicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs when necessary.

·        Give assistance or help in locating and arranging for services of other professionals or agencies to solve problems and needs of residents.

·        Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services needs of the residents and families.

·        Prepare and present monthly report on progress of activity program.

·        Develop, implement and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the activity department.

Activity Functions

·        Organize programs for group and individual activities based on residents’ individualized needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.

·        Maintain a balance of recreational activities including physical, social, religious, diversional, spiritual, intellectual, and creative arts and crafts.

·        Communicate residents’ programs to residents, residents’ families, volunteers, and facility staff.  Communication may occur through posting of a large monthly calendar in centralized locations within the building and circulation of copies of the monthly calendar.

·        Offer activities at hours convenient to the residents and that reflect the overall demographics of the resident population.

·        Provide motivation for participation in Residents’ Council and scheduled a time and place for meetings.

·        Ensure group activities are scheduled to provide for maximum involvement by interested residents.

·        Select residents for activity participation according to each resident’s activity interest, needs and potential.

·        Involve residents and families in planning facility activity programs.

·        Coordinate scheduled activities with other departments.

·        Assist in arranging transportation to outside activities when necessary.

·        Help read incoming mail, and address and post outgoing mail upon the residents’ requests.

·        Responsible for transportation of residents within the facility from one area to another where activities are occurring.

·        Recruit, orientate, and supervise volunteers and maintain records of volunteer programs.

·        Communicate the facility’s volunteer needs to the community.

·        Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and arrange for the use of community facilities by residents.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

·        Interview residents/families on admission and involve them in determining appropriate activities for the resident.

·        Formulate written plans of care for each admitted resident.

·        Review and update plan of care according to established policies.

·        Record continuing progress notes on resident’s activities and response of resident to activity program.

·        Record resident’s activity participation in resident’s individual medical record. Keep group records of participation on scheduled activities.

·        Record Section I of the MDS, activity pursuits portion and resident’s activity interest and activity needs assessment. After completing the MDS, record resident’s initial activities-health-care plan.

·        Identify and evaluate personal, emotional, and environmental concerns that prevent or limit the resident’s full use of medical, nursing, and restorative care.

·        Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms, which may signify a physical change in the resident’s condition that could require nursing intervention.  Report changes to the charge nurse.

·        Participate in discharge planning; development and implementation of activity care plans and resident assessments.

Committee Functions

·        Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility as required or appointed by the Administrator.

·        Provide written and/or oral reports of the activities programs as directed by such committees.

·        Participate in regularly scheduled reviews of resident discharge plans.

·        Evaluate and implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to activity services.

·        Meet with activity personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis and solicit advice from inter-department supervisors concerning the operation of the department, assist in identify and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

·        Attend department head meetings as scheduled.

Personnel Functions

·        Assist in the recruitment, interviewing and selection of personnel for the activity department.

·        Determine departmental staffing needs necessary to meet the activity programming needs and assign activity personnel and/or volunteers for each scheduled activity.

·        Schedule department work hours, personnel, work assignments, etc. to expedite work.

·        Delegate responsibility and accountability to other activity personnel as deemed necessary to perform their assigned duties.

·        Counsel/discipline activity personnel as necessary.

·        Recommend termination of employment to the Administrator if necessary.

·        Review and check competence of activity personnel and make adjustments as necessary.

·        Make daily rounds to assure that activity personnel are performing required duties as assigned.

·        Conduct individual performance evaluations in accordance with the facility’s policies and procedures.

Staff Development Functions

·        Develop, implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients new associates to the activities department and its programs.

·        Develop and participate in the planning, scheduling and conducting of timely in-service training classes that ensures a well-educated activity department.

·        Assist the Staff Development Coordinator in developing and conducting inservice training programs that relate to resident activities and the activity department.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

·        Assist in developing safety standards for the activity department.

·        Follow established safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smoking regulations, infection control, etc.

·        Monitor department personnel to assure they are following established safety regulations in the use of equipment and supplies.

·        Ensure that department work and activity areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe manner.

·        Ensure that departmental personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.

·        Assist the Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, and revising of written aseptic and isolation techniques relative to activities.

·        Implement and maintain a program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseases among residents and personnel as it relates to activity programming.

·        Ensure that all procedures governing reporting hazardous conditions, exposure to blood/body fluids, use of labels and MSDS sheets, and blood borne pathogens are followed.

Equipment and Supply Functions

·        Recommend to the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the activity department.

·        Maintain adequate activity supplies and equipment to meet needs and interests of residents, ensure materials are available to residents.

·        Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary.

·        Make periodic rounds to check equipment to assure that it is in proper working condition.

·        Check supply rooms to assure that needed activity supplies and on hand to conduct scheduled activities.

·        Develop and implement procedures that ensure activity supplies are used in an efficient manner to avoid waste.

·        Ensure that appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary departmental cleaning functions.

·        Budget and Planning Functions

·        Forecast needs of the department

·        Assist in preparing and planning the activity department’s budget for food, equipment, supplies, and labor and submit to the Administrator for review.

·        Maintain current written records of department expenditures and assure that adequate financial records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator upon request.

·        Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.

Resident Rights Responsibilities

·        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 rights and responsibilities, including the right of refusal.

·        Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Administrator indicating what actions were taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint following established facility procedures.

·        Participate in resident council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.

Working Conditions

·        Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility.

·        Moves intermittently during work hours.

·        Is subject to frequent interruptions.

·        Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, under all conditions and circumstances.

·        Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.

·        Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel and other department supervisors.

·        Works beyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. Works on weekends and holidays when necessary.

·        Is subject to callback during emergency conditions.

·        Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, plastics, synthetics, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potential contaminants.

·        Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

·        Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.

·        May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

·        Maintains a liaison with the resident, their families, support departments, etc. to adequately plan for the residents’ needs.

JOB REQUIREMENTS: 

Education

·        Must possess, as a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED.

·        A two-year or higher degree in therapeutic recreation, social work, or related degree is preferred.

Experience

·        Must be directed by a qualified professional who is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who-

·        Must be licensed or registered, if applicable by the state which practicing; and

·        Must be Eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1 1990;  or

·        Has (2) years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last (5) years, one of which was full-time in a therapeutic activities program;  or

·        Must be a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or

·        Must have completed a training course approved by the state.

Specific Requirements

·        Must be a member in good standing in the National Association of Social Workers.

·        Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

·        Must display professionalism both in appearance and attitude.

·        Must possess the ability to solve problems and make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

·        Must genuinely care for and understand the elderly and disabled.

·        Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agency personnel and the general public.

·        Must possess the ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and to coach and supervise other personnel.

·        Must be able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing social services.

·        Must have patience, tact, a positive disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult people.

·        Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing activities practices.

·        Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.

·        Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements(with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

·        Must be able to move continuously throughout the workday.

·        Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

·        Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.

·        Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, families, personnel, and support agencies.

·        Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.

·        Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.

·        Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 10pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 5 feet.

·        May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

·        Sitting:  1-2 hour per 8-hour shift.  Alternates frequently to standing and walking.

·        Standing:  4-5 hours per 8-hour shift.  Alternates frequently to walking and occasionally to sitting.

·        Walking:  2-3 hours per 8 hour shift.  Alternates frequently to standing and occasionally to sitting.

·        Lifting:             1-10 lbs.                       Continuously

11-20 lbs.                     Occasionally

21-35 lbs.                     Rarely

36-50 lbs.                     Rarely

51-75 lbs.                     Rarely

·        > 75 lbs.                       Rarely

·        Carrying:         1-10 lbs.                       Continuously

·        11-20 lbs.                     Rarely

·        21-35 lbs.                     Rarely

·        Driving:                                                Rarely

·        Pushing:                                               Continuously

·        Bending:                                             Occasionally

·        Squatting:                                           Rarely

·        Kneeling:                                             Rarely

·        Crawling:                                            Rarely

·        Climbing:                                            Rarely

·        Reaching:                                           Occasionally

·        Grasping:                                            Occasionally

·        Fine Manipulation:                              Continuously

(Frequency:  Never=0%; Rarely=1-10%; Occasionally=11=33%; Frequently = 34-66%; Continuously = 67%+)

  Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.