Activity Aide

Description

JOB SUMMARY

This is a brief synopsis of overall job duties.

The Activity Assistant assist the Activity Director to provide group and individual activities for the residents. Duties will involve personal contact with a varying resident population and varied work schedule that may include some weekends, evenings, and holidays. Tasks also will involve record keeping, attention to the environment, use of supplies and equipment, and maintenance of storage areas.                                                                       

JOB CLASSIFICATION

Activity Assistant

SUPERVISION

Supervised by:  Activity Director

Qualifications

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Qualifications:

• Must be a Certified Nurse Aide in good standing and meet all applicable federal and state certification requirements.
• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Completions of elementary education or otherwise show ability to read, write, and follow oral and written directions.
• Must speak and understand English.
• Positive attitude toward the elderly.
• Knowledgeable of medications and or willing to look up medications.
• Background clearance mandatory (TB, Drug Screening, Physical….)

Education- Certificates, Licenses or Registrations:

• Satisfactory completion of a training course for activity directors approved by the state of Kansas is preferred
• Able to read and write at a high school level is required

Experience:

• Highly motivated CNA

Personal Skills and Traits Desired:

• Good verbal and written communication skills
• Pleasant personality
• Respect for authority
• Able to work independently and follow scheduled plans
• Respect for the rights of the residents including the right to privacy and the right to make choices
• Maintains composure in stressful situations
• Works well with others.
• Basic computer skills

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following: (Other duties may be assigned.)

Assist with activities as directed by the Activity director and in accordance with each resident’s plan of care:

• Group
  • Be sure area to be used for activity is free
  • Set areas up as needed for the type of activity planned
  • Remind nursing staff of activities scheduled and residents who desire to participate
  • Assist with transport of residents to the activity areas.
  • Follow the instructions for the activity as directed.
  • Observe individual resident participations and responses during the activity.
  • Assist residents back to living areas at the conclusion of the activity.
  • Notify nursing of resident behaviors which may indicate medical problems
  • Do record keeping or documentation tasks.
• Individual
  • Interact appropriately and effectively in one to one activities according to the resident’s strengths and limitations.
  • Be aware of individual cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial impairments.
  • Keep records of sensory stimulation or other type of activity and resident’s response.

• Chaperone scheduled activities away from the facility grounds.
• Help maintain a pleasant and cheerful nursing home environment:

• Help with putting up, taking down, and storing seasonal decorations.
• Help care for plants
• Assist residents to display calendars, pictures, cares, or other mementos in their rooms
• Deliver and read mail as needed.
• Assist with other tasks as directed by the Activity Director 
• Address, stamp, stuff, and mail the monthly calendars
• File Photos regularly
• Keep activity closets organized.
• Participate in and promote staff participation in facility-wide special activities such as dress-up days and special observances.
• Continue the activity program in the absence of the Activity Director

Key Competencies

• Attention to detail
• Communication skills- verbal and written
• Judgment
• Decision-making
• Knowledgeable
• Hand Washing
• Fall Prevention
• Care Plans
• Dining Services

Physical and Sensory Requirements

1. Must be able to move intermittently throughout the work day.
2. Must be able to speak, read and write the English language in an understandable manner to ensure proper documentation is accurately completed.
3. Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position and calmly communicate with the residents during the stressful times.
4. Must possess touching, sight, taste and hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met, such as the ability to distinguish smells, taste, temps and hear and respond to paging systems.
5. Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with the residents, personnel and support agencies.
6. Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility which include a medical and physical examination.
7.  Must be able to relate to, communicate and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
8. Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 50 pounds to a minimum height of waist level and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight.
9. May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
10. Standing, walking, bending and lifting will occur throughout entire shift.
11. Must be able to reach, grasp and have fine hand coordination.
12. Must be able to utilize gait belts, sit to stand, and hoyer lifts to transfer residents.
13. Ability to understand and apply training

Contribute to facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care through participation in the following:

1. Participate in learning circles
2. Attend mandatory in-services

This job description is intended to convey the general scope of the major duties and responsibilities inherent in this position. Other tasks not listed here may be assigned by the Administrator, DON, and Activity Director. Periodic revision may be necessary to reflect changes in expectations placed on long term care by the KDADs. This job description will be reviewed and/or revised by the Administrator and/or DON annually and as needed.