Activity Assistant: Weekends only
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.
· 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.
· Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
· 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.
· Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. including TB, 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.
· Must possess, as a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED.
· Must have a minimum of six (6) months of experience in a social or recreational program within the last five years preferably within a health care setting.
· 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 other personnel.
· Must be able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing activity 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