HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital is part of the UMass Memorial Health Care system. Serving northern central Massachusetts, we are committed to improving the health of people through excellence in care and comprehensive health services. Promoting healthy lifestyle habits, we serve as a role model by having a tobacco and smoke free campus and hiring nicotine free employees. By exploring careers with us, you are committed to giving your best to our patients, our community and everyone working on our HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital Care Team. Whatever your career choice, know that at HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital you can make a difference.

Position Summary:

To create, plan and post in advance group activities, recreational programs, special entertainment and special holiday events in collaboration with the COTA. To lead and participate in individual and group activities suited to meet the needs of the individual patients.

Major Responsibilities:

Creates, plans and posts in advance group activities, recreational programs, special entertainment and special holiday events in collaboration with the COTA.

Leads and participates in individual and group activities suited to meet the needs of the individual patients.

Reports any changes in patient conduct or physical condition to the patient’s nurse.

Evaluates and records behavior, participation and progress of patients in groups and/or 1:1.

Maintains necessary supply materials and equipment.

Attends team meetings when available.
Assists patients in self care activities; i.e.; grooming, personal hygiene.
Utilizes a variety of modalities to achieve individualized programming such as pet therapy, music therapy, art therapy, etc.
Assists with planning/decorating for special events and seasonal parties.
Utilizes the environment to provide both comfort and stimulation to the patient population.
Assists in developing individual sensory plans including triggers and sensory preferences for patients.
Follows hospital and department policies and procedures.
Maintains current knowledge of department activities demonstrated by attendance at staff meetings and/or reading and initialing meeting minutes, memo's and notices.
Consistently communicates in a calm, professional manner.
Participates in quality improvement activities.
Participates in the orientation of new staff when assigned. Completes orientation paperwork for new staff as required.
Reports to work as scheduled.
Meets established productivity standards.

Facilitates and promotes the sharing of knowledge and content throughout departments.

Takes responsibility for ensuring that all work outcomes satisfy the UMass Memorial Health System True North.
The individual must support the mission, vision, and goals of HealthAlliance-Clinton Hospital and serve as a role model for CARES values.
Adheres to change control processes.
Participates in cross training to optimize department resources.
Demonstrates excellent attendance and actively participates in a variety of meetings and training sessions as required.
Demonstrates a friendly, responsive, service-minded attitude to all internal and external customers.
Communicates ideas effectively. Shares information and keeps others properly informed. Gives, and is open to useful feedback.
Adheres to the Hospital Code of Conduct and Behavior Standards and dress code.
Complies with established environment of care/safety policies and procedures and all health and safety requirements.
Maintains and fosters an organized, clean and safe work environment.
Contributes to the development and application of process improvements.
Maintains a collaborative, team relationship with peers and colleagues in order to effectively contribute to the group’s achievement of goals and to help foster a positive work environment.
Attends staff meetings and in-service programs as required or directed. Keeps current with hospital and unit changes by reading communication boards and/or books, bulletin boards, posted notices and reads and responds to e mails on a regular basis.
Practices cost containment and fiscal responsibility through the efficient use of supplies, equipment, time, etc.
Complies with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Respects diverse views and approaches, and contributes in maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.
All responsibilities are essential job functions.

Position Qualifications:

High School Diploma or equivalent required
Some college education preferred.
Must have at least one year’s experience in conducting therapeutic group activities, including sensory modalities.
Experience in working with the elderly, mental health or dementia patients.

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.
Department-specific competencies, including age-specific competencies and their measurements will be developed and maintained in the individual departments. The competencies will be maintained and attached to the departmental job description. Responsible managers will review competencies with position incumbents.