Job Description
Position: Activity Assistant- Full Time
Location: Loogootee, IN, 47553
Company: LTC Sycamore Care Strategies
Job Summary:
We are seeking a reliable and detail-oriented Activity Assistant to join our team at LTC Sycamore Care Strategies in Loogootee, IN.
The primary purpose of the Activities Assistant is Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluating, and directing the Activity Programs of this facility. Keeping professional matters confidential. Care and use supplies and equipment. Essential Duties of our Activities Assistant include but are not limited to:
• Meet with Administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning activities.
• Develop and maintain a good rapport with other departments within the facility, and outside community health, welfare, and social agencies, to assure that activity programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the residents.
• 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.
• Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures for identifying the spiritual, social, recreation, and emotional needs of the residents.
• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the residents and family.
• Ensure nursing supervisor assists resident with selection of activity in compliance with physician’s orders.
• Interview residents/families as necessary and in a private setting. • Involve the residents/family in planning activities when possible.
• Assist in arranging transportation for field trips and to other facilities when necessary.
• Encourage residents to develop their educational development through reading, etc.
• Provide information to resident/families as to the activity programs that are available to the resident.
• Encourage hobbies and crafts and provide materials in keeping with resident’s financial status and department budget.
• Obtain information concerning the residents’ background to better provide activities to meet their needs.
• Record and maintain activities progress notes as well as a record of resident’s activities.
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the medical profession and other health related facilities and organizations.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment through the department.
• Meet with personnel on a regularly scheduled basis to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.
• Maintain confidentiality of all pertinent resident care information to assure resident rights are protected.
• Coordinate activities with other departments, as necessary.
• Make routine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc.
• Review complaints and grievances and make necessary oral/written reports to the administrator.
• Recommend to the administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.
• Schedule movies, plan parties, and provide games for residents.
• Report all incidents/accidents immediately, also all unsafe/hazardous conditions or equipment immediately.
• Assure that established safety regulations are always followed.
• Provide craft supplies and materials and supervise activities.
• Assure that a current resident activity schedule is maintained for each resident.
• Be alert for any change in the resident’s condition. Report to charge nurse.
• Encourage residents to participate in religious activities through religious services, reading material, visits with Chaplin, etc. to fulfill their basic religious needs.
• Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of Activity Assistant.
• Other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as directed by the consultant, activity supervisor or administrator.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: The Activity Assistant shall be at least 18 years of age, or older, must be of good moral character, and completed at least 12th grade of high school. Must be in good mental and physical condition and willing to work with geriatric and behavioral health patients. Must possess leadership ability and the willingness to cooperate with other departments. Must have imagination and creative ability. Must have the ability to assist in planning and organizing social services. Must have an understanding of the social and emotional needs of patients in the nursing home. Must have tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm and be able to handle patients based upon whatever maturity level they are currently functioning.
Work Conditions: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. The activity assistant works in a well-lighted, well ventilated office and/or rooms. Exposed to odors, personality peculiarities of the aged. May have to handle emotional disturbances. Must be on constant alert for possible injuries and condition of patients. Some lifting of supplies, equipment and moving of furniture and patients.
Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.