Activities Leader

Beechwood Continuing Care is looking for an Activities Leader to join our team in Getzville, NY.

Overview

Assists in carrying out programs of recreation/activities for our residents to help improve their physical, mental and social well-being. Work will include moving residents throughout the facility, lifting supplies, equipment and moving furniture. Also includes direct communication with facility nursing staff and resident family members.

Qualifications:

• Basic computer skills
• Ability to plan and organize activities/recreation.
• Full-Time, days with weekend availability
• Hours are varied, willing to be flexible!

New paid time off structure - paid time off (PTO) starts after 90-days for employees scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week! Sick time starts accruing immediately for all hires.

Essential Competencies:

• Provide residents with the opportunity to fulfill his/her needs in the social, psychological, intellectual, physical, spiritual, and leisure areas for enhancement of dignity, self-respect and self-reliance.
• Initiate and promote participation in recreation within the facility and outside in the community. Schedules special entertainment.
• Encourage hobbies and interests among residents in groups or individually.
• Provide and/or arrange for necessary supplies
• Provide 1 on 1 visits to residents
• Responsible for safety of residents under his/her supervision. Complies with safety regulations and policies.
• Arrange for sale of articles made by residents, (at Bazaars, our gift shop, etc.)
• Encourage social communication among residents through group recreation and activities (plan parties, bingo, games etc.) Encourage residents to assist in planning special events and spontaneous activities in household.
• Encourage resident participation in religious recreation to fulfill basic spiritual needs through visits with the Chaplain, attendance at religious services, spiritual reading materials and others.
• Encourage intellectual/educational development through literature, lectures, movies, cultural events, etc.
• Evaluate residents' interests and establish goals with resident input. Develop care plans and complete MDS documentation.
• Maintain a daily record of resident recreation and evaluate residents' reactions. Write progress notes and chart them in accordance with facility policies and procedures. Main resident files and attend care plan meetings.
• Responsible for care and use of supplies and equipment. Prepares internal supply transfer forms for food oriented programs.
• Responsible for appearance of work areas where recreation takes place, keep area neat and clean and comply with safety regulations.
• Transport residents to and from recreation programs.
• Prepares monthly recreation calendar that meets the needs of residents.
• Maintains a good rapport with household staff and organize household activities.
• Maintains confidentiality of all pertinent facility, staff and resident care information.
• Assures that residents right to fair and equitable treatment, self determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to file complaints, are followed.
• Attends and participates in inservice education classes and on-the-job training programs as required.
• Assures that work/assignment areas are neat and clean and that office equipment is covered before the office is close at the end of the work day.

Other Related Competencies:

• Follows all established safety procedures and precautions.
• Perform other duties as directed by Director of Recreation or Supervisor.
• May supervise volunteers assigned for regularly scheduled programs.
• Must be able to work with other departments to meet needs of residents.

Working Conditions:

• Travels throughout the facility. Involved with residents, family members, staff, visitors, etc., under all conditions/ circumstances. Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members. Communicates with nursing staff, and other departments. Is required to be on constant alert for possible injuries to residents. Some lifting of supplies, equipment and moving of furniture and resident. Physical demands range from light to medium depending on what is scheduled. Cleaning of supplies.

Personal Qualifications:

• High School diploma and experience working with the geriatric population, or Associate Degree in Recreation, Occupational Therapy, Recreation Therapy, specialized related field or sufficient related experience. Aptitude and some training in arts and crafts. Ability to plan and organize recreational recreation. Must be able to assume a leadership role and promote maximum participation in recreation while using available resources. Sincere desire to work with the aged. Have an understanding of the social, physiological, and recreational needs of the aged as well as other types of residents in long term care facilities. Must be able to plan and organize recreation with these needs in mind. Must have a clean, valid NYS drivers license. Ability to speak English in an understandable manner. Dress and appearance according to department standard.

Beechwood Continuing Care is an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all applicants.