PACE Activities Coordinator

The Activities Coordinator leads PACE Participant engagement while at the PACE Center. As part of the multidisciplinary team, the Activities Coordinator organizes, plans and prepares for participant socialization and involvement through hobbies, games, recreation and crafts. Knowledge of and ability to teach games, hobby skills and other activities is necessary as is creativity and flexibility in order to meet each participant’s interests and needs. A strong planner of each month’s calendar to support these activities in a way that encourages participant socialization and engagement. Assessment of each participant for identification of a plan to meet their individual needs is an important aspect of this role. Additionally, strength in communicating with both the participants and the Interdisciplinary Team will lend to the success of the individual in this role and the success of the program. Strong organizational skills and high reliability are foundational in order to breed trust among the participants and successfully implement the plans of care.

Duties/Responsibilites:

PERFORMANCE AREA 1:

• Plans a variety of activities that include, but are not limited to, exercise, arts and crafts, celebrations, special events, recreational games, community outings, and cognitive groups.
• Organizes community outings and special events at Adult Day Health Center (ADHC). Arranges transportation, entertainment, catering, and ADHC staff needed.
• Develops and distributes a monthly calendar of activities.
• Plans and implements small group or one-on-one activities for dementia-specific population including sensory stimulation. Oversees daily flow of dementia activities area.
• Assists participants and caregivers by providing leisure education for activity modification or skill development and supplies for in-home use as needed.
• Functions as a participant of the interdisciplinary team; attends team meetings and periodic reviews. Reports changes in participants’ baseline status to appropriate staff on a daily basis.
• Maintains general order in activities area(s) including daily clean-up, routine supply inventory, ordering, and purchasing. Maintains overall general budgeting.
• Assesses involvement in activity for participants placed in group/nursing homes; may include direct visit with participants in these settings. Works with nursing home and other community-based living facility staff to impact participants in these settings.
• Completes documentation including initial assessments, periodic reviews, individual service plans, and other data on participants as directed by the interdisciplinary team.
• Provides direction and support to Recreation Assistants, volunteers and other staff participants.
• Provides on-going support to all staff involved in dementia-specific programming related to the dementia disease process.
• Transports participants within the ADHC and rearranges activity rooms as needed.
• Maintains and promotes compliance with all regulatory requirements, reimbursement standards, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility.
• Completes annual competency requirements.
• Consistently achieves high standards of accuracy in work product and documentation.
• Practices universal precaution procedures and proper safety techniques in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Protects privacy and maintains confidentiality of associates, participants, and sensitive agency information.

PERFORMANCE AREA 2: General Corporate Expectations

• Attends and actively participates in all meetings (e.g., department meetings, program meetings, employee staff meetings) and other activities as required or assigned.
• Attends workshops/seminars as necessary to increase skills and knowledge to provide effective care, treatment, and/or leadership.
• Supports the overall needs of the health center by working flexible or extended hours when necessary.
• Supports the needs of the health center by traveling to other UHC clinics when staffing needs dictate the need for licensed personnel.
• Demonstrates awareness of, and compliance with organizational mission and objective of UHC to provide health care access and support services for all members of the community.
• Supports their own staff development by completing the required hours of continuing education each year as well as new certifications as required.
• Other work-related duties as assigned by supervisor. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted, or changed at any time at the discretion of management, formally or informally either verbally or in writing.
• Maintains confidentiality and respect for information regarding patients and other team members; abides by UHC Rules of Confidentiality and general HIPAA regulations regarding privacy.
• Displays a positive, professional and respectful demeanor at all times toward employees, peers, professional contacts, and patients served, maintaining a professional appearance and positive image for the health centers.
• Contributes to the team by promoting positive staff interaction, maintains open communication with other programs/departments.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Must have knowledge and understanding of and be sensitive to area minority groups and their socio-economic backgrounds/cultures. Demonstrated ability to function independently, with strong organizational skills and flexibility required. Individual must be self-motivated and able to develop positive working relationships with a wide variety of individuals. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing in both English and Spanish preferred. Must have strong oral presentation skills and the ability to interact with a wide range of clients effectively. Must have the advanced knowledge and training sufficient to obtain and maintain licensure in the state of California. Must have a valid California driver's license.

Education: 

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or closely related field preferred.

-OR-

Activity Coordinator with completed 36-hour California Approved courses.

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Experience

• Minimum of one year of personal, clinical/internship, or employment experience providing care or services for frail elderly population.
• Education or training in geriatrics and dementia programming preferred; good working knowledge of dementia disease process.
• Working knowledge of recreational therapy techniques and practices of the elderly including assessments, care plan development, monitoring, and evaluation. Familiar with illnesses common to diverse populations including frail older, developmentally, or physical disabled adult populations.
• Working knowledge of physical, psychosocial, and behavioral needs of the elderly population.
• Demonstrated creative abilities to plan, develop, and implement varied activities to meet diversified needs.
• Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge as outlined in position-specific Competency Assessment Profile.
• Must have excellent skills in verbal and written communication, problem solving, and conflict resolution.
• Displays sensitivity, compassion, and respect for people of diverse cultures.
• Strong computer skills.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Knowledge of PACE program.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work without close supervision or professional guidance and to exercise independent judgment.
• Knowledge of physical, mental and social needs of frail older adults.
• Computer proficiency.
• Able to manage changing priorities per participant needs.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Demonstrates necessary skills and knowledge as outlined in the position-specific Competency Assessment Profile.
• Occasional travel between sites, nursing/group homes and to members’ homes required.
• Requires use of personal vehicle.
• Requires valid driver’s license.
• Requires proof of automobile insurance coverage at the following minimum amounts in order to be reimbursed for mileage: $100,000/$300,000 personal liability and $100,000 property damage.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to sit and/or stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to reach above the shoulder level to work, must be able to bend, squat and sit, stand, stoop, crouch, reach, kneel, twist/turn.
• Ability to carry up to 25 pounds, lift up to 50 pounds and push/pull up to 50 pounds (on wheels) for routine performance of essential job functions.
• Emergency response capabilities for possible crisis situations
• Must have high manual dexterity.
• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to handle phone and in-person conversations with patients/clients, clinicians and other staff and to listen to breathing, pulse and circulation, as part of patient examination and treatment
• Must be able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms and clinical and administrative documents.
• Must have annual TB test &/or complete TB questionnaire annually