Activity Director

Arabella Health & Wellness of Fairhope -

BASIC FUNCTION

Responsible for planning, developing, organizing, implementing, evaluation, and directing of Activity Programs in accordance with current existing federal, state, and local standards, as well as our established policies and procedures, to ensure that the spiritual development, emotional, recreational, and social needs of the patient / resident are met / maintained on an individual basis.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the Activity Programs to ensure all patients / residents assesses needs are met.

Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, and other related departments in planning activities.

Develop and maintain a good working rapport with other departments within the facility, and outside community health, welfare and social agencies, to ensure that activity programs can be properly maintained to meet the needs of the patient / 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.

Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

Assist in the development of the department budget and monitor expenditures to stay within budget

Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures for identifying the spiritual, social, recreational, and emotional needs of the patient / resident.

Assist in the development of and participate in regularly scheduled orientation and in-service training programs in relation to the social, emotional, and recreational needs of the patients / residents.

Coordinate with the nursing supervisor in assisting patient / resident with selection of activity in compliance with physician’s orders.

Interview patients / residents / families as necessary and in a private setting.

Involve the patient / resident / family in planning activities when possible.

Assist in arranging transportation for field trips and to other facilities when necessary.

Encourage patients / residents to develop their educational development through reading, etc.

Provide information to patient / resident / families as to the activity programs available to the patient / resident.

Encourage hobbies and crafts and provide materials in keeping with the patient's / resident’s financial status and department budget.

Obtain information concerning the patient’s / resident’s background to better provide activities to meet their needs.

Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in efforts to solve the needs and problems of the patient / resident through the development of activity / social services programs.

Assist in the review and updating of departmental position descriptions at least annually.

Record and maintain activity progress notes as well as a record of patient / resident 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 throughout the department.

Compile and maintain an activity schedule, available projects, crafts, resources, etc.

Meet with personnel, on a regular scheduled basis, to assist in identifying and correcting problems areas, and / or the improvement of services.

Maintain CONFIDENTIALITY of all pertinent patient / resident care information to ensure patient / resident rights are protected.

Coordinate activities with other departments as necessary.

Make routine visits to patients / residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc., as necessary.

Review complaints and grievances and make necessary oral / written reports to the administrator.

Keep abreast of economic conditions / situations and recommend adjustments to ensure the continued ability to provide quality patient / resident care.

Maintain contact with the patient’s / resident’s family, involving them with non-medical progress reports as necessary.

Recommend to the administrator the equipment and supply needs of the department.

Make written and oral reports / recommendations to the administrator concerning the operations of the activity department.

Schedule movies, plan parties and provide games for patients / residents.

Report all incidents / accidents immediately.

Report all unsafe / hazardous conditions / equipment immediately.

Ensure that established safety regulations are followed at all times.

Provide craft supplies and materials and supervise activities.

Ensure that a current patient / resident activity schedule is maintained for each patient / resident.

Be alert for any change in the patient’s / resident’s condition. Report to Charge Nurse immediately.

Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of the Activity Director.

Assist bed patients / residents by visiting with them, writing letters, running errands, making appointments, etc., as necessary.

Provide reading material in braille, tapes and records for blind patients / residents.

Assist in providing library service for patients / residents through cooperation with the local library.

Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of activity plans, schedules and patient / residents assessments.

Perform other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the consultant or administrator.

Participates in the overall quality assessment and improvement program activities.

Assures Resident Safety at all times.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Serve on various committees of the facility as may be appointed by the Administrator.

Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility abd the services and needs of the patient / resident and family.

Preform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, charge slips, reports, etc., and submits to the Administrator as required.

Attend and participate in professional activities and programs.

May arrange for sale of articles made by patients / residents i.e., at bazaars, in gift shop, etc.

Work with the facility’s consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as required.

Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.

Assist in making appointments for the patient / resident / family as requested or appropriate.

Encourage patients / residents to participate in religious activities through religious services, reading material, visits with Chaplin, etc., to fulfill their basic religious needs.

Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned, or that may become necessary.

EXPOSURE RISK

The Activity Director is at minimal risk for exposure to blood and body fluids.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Direction provided by the Administrator.

SUPERVISON EXERCISED

Activities Assistant

Volunteers

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

High school diploma, college specialization, certification preferred.

EXPERIENCE

One year experience working with an adult population delivering activity therapy preferred.

Any combination of experience and training which provided the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in well-lights / ventilated areas.

Sitting, standing, bending, lifting and moving intermittently during working hours.

Subject to frequent interruptions.

Involved with patients / residents, family members, personnel, visitors, etc., under all conditions / circumstances

Subject to hostile and emotionally upset patient / residents, family members, etc.

Communicates with nursing personnel and other department supervisors.

Willingness to work beyond normal working hours, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.

Attend and participate in continuing educational programs as directed.

Subject to falls, burns from equipment, infectious diseases, substances, odors, etc., throughout the work day.

Be economical and careful with supplies, equipment, etc.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to read, write, and speak English.

Possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, patients / residents, family members, visitors, and the general public.

Be a minimum of 20 years of age.

Willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.

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