POSITION

The Activity Director assumes administrative authority, responsibility and accountability for the provision of a program of therapeutic activities designed to meet the interests and enhance the functional abilities and self-esteem of each resident. Manages assistants to provide activities according to the facility policies and consistent with county, state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable. In collaboration with the Nursing Home Administrator, allocates resources in an efficient and economic manner to ensure each resident achieves the highest practicable physical, mental and psycho-social well being.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• 2 years experience in a social or recreational program within the past 5 years, 1 year of which was full time in a resident activities program in a health care setting, OR
• Be an Occupational Therapist, Art Therapist, Music Therapist, Dance Therapist, Recreation Therapist, OR
• Have satisfactorily completed at least 36 hours of training in a course designed specifically for this position and approved by the Department of Health Services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Conducts assessments and gathers information to design activities program that meets the functional levels, needs and interests of each resident
• Completes minimum data sets assessments according to schedule developed by MDS Coordinator
• Interviews residents, interested family members, legal representatives and significant others to obtain and update information needed to develop individualized activities programs, to accommodate individual needs and preferences and to protect and promote residents’ rights
• Works cooperatively with members of the interdisciplinary team to develop, implement and evaluate plan of care. Attends care plan conferences. Develops activity interventions as part of the comprehensive plan of care. Communicates resident concerns and responses to interventions to interdisciplinary team members and to direct care staff
• Develops and provides individual, group and bedside activities for residents that reflect interests of residents, are offered at hours convenient to residents (morning, afternoon, evening, weekend), that appeal to all age groups, both men and women, take place in a variety of locations and include special and seasonal events. Develops and posts monthly activities calendar
• Provides activities to residents confined to their rooms that reflect life/long interests such as music, reading, visits with people of shared interests and in-room projects that the resident can work on independently or with staff assistance
• Provides structured activities to meet the needs of cognitively impaired residents such as music events, gross motor games or outdoor walks. Seeks ways to adapt activities so that all residents can participate such as segmenting activities into simple steps, providing verbal prompts, physical support, demonstration and hand-over-hand assistance when the resident is unable to complete a task independently
• Identifies ways to accommodate resident choices, preferences, functional capacity and customary routines in activities program. Includes these approaches in plan of care and gives this information to direct care staff
• Develops and implements effective procedures to ensure that all residents are informed that activities are occurring, that staff encourage participation and that transportation is provided
• Record progress notes in the clinical record including resident response, observed symptoms and behavior, interventions provided to resident and resident’s responses to activity interventions. Audits chart entries written by activities staff for completeness, accuracy
• Performs quality assessment and assurance functions, including daily regulatory compliance rounds, observation of activities in progress on units, record reviews and interviews with staff members, residents, families and Administration. Identifies problems in activity staff performance and institutes corrective action
• Participates in the development of the department budget. Provides relevant financial information to the Administrator regarding department financial needs and status
• Communicates with the Administrator on a regular basis to discuss resident care, personnel and budget issues. Develops staffing plan, which may include volunteers, and recommends to Administrator numbers and types of activity personnel needed to meet resident needs in compliance with county, state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable
• Hires and retains qualified competent activity staff and volunteers to provide therapeutic activities to attain or maintain highest practicable physical, mental and psycho-social wellbeing. Conducts interviews, provides regular performance reviews, takes appropriate job actions, reviews job actions taken by subordinates to assure that staff meet qualification and performance standards and can perform all essential functions of the job
• Actively participates in long term care survey process by instructing staff in matters of conduct and disclosure, maintaining a presence at all times surveyors are on-site and directing the timely collection of information required by the survey team. Demonstrates concern for identified problems and undertakes corrective action while survey is in progress if appropriate. Gathers and presents supplemental documentation to avoid potential deficiencies. Collaborates with the Administrator to develop responses to survey report as needed
• Reports injury of self or others to Charge Nurse immediately
• Attends survey training and all required in service education classes. Applies information to job responsibilities and tasks
• Participates in fire and disaster drills. In event of an emergency, carries out assigned duties to assure resident safety
• Assist with social dining program