Activity Director

Description

Position Summary

The Activity Director provides for an ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in accordance with comprehensive assessment, the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident in accordance with federal and state laws for the long-term care industry and in accordance with Company policy and procedures.

Position Responsibilities

• The Activity Director plans and facilitate games and sports, create arts and crafts projects and organize entertainment events. The Activity Director coordinates with facility managers to develop activities that are suitable and enjoyable to the residents.  Responsibilities of the Activity Director include (but are not limited to): 
• Promotes and maintains a focus of patient-centered care
• Adheres to laws, rules & regulations and practices ethical integrity and interpersonal skills
• Maintains compliance with long-term care regulations including federal, state and health regulations
• Responsible to the Administrator for the overall development and implementation of the activity program that aligns with excellence in patient care outcomes
• Has strong leadership abilities in change leadership, enforcing laws, rules & regulations, ethical     integrity and interpersonal skills
• Provide a plan of activities appropriate to the needs of the residents that includes, but is not limited to: a. Group social activities
  • Indoor and outdoor activities, which may include daily walks
  • Activities away from the facility
  • Spiritual programs and attendance at houses of worship
  • Opportunity for resident involvement in planning and implementation of the activities program
  • Creative activities such as arts, crafts, music, drama, educational programs g. Exercise activities 
  • One to one attention
  • Promotion of facility/community interaction
• Prepare monthly calendar of activities written in large print and posted in a prominent location that is visible to residents and visitors
• Coordinate the activities program with other services in the facility
• Recruit, train and supervise volunteers when appropriate
• Assess resident needs and develop resident activities goals for the written care plan
• Encourage resident activity participation in activities and document outcomes
• Review goals and progress notes and properly document MDS reports and progress notes
• Obtain necessary equipment and supplies and provide for their accessibility through organized storage
• Foster family and community support of the activity program (e.g. through newsletters, networking, activities which bring family members or members of the community into the facility, etc.)
• Contribute to facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care through active participation in Care Plan meetings, Quality Assurance, Behavior Management and department head meetings
• Promote and set the example for resident rights helping protect and enhance those rights
• Perform position duties in a manner as to assure resident safety and rights are priority
• Adheres to the facility corporate compliance program and promotes the program in a positive and effective manner
• Performs other position-related duties as assigned, depending on assignment/shift setting

Other Responsibilities

• Follows facility OSHA safety rules and procedures
• Follows facility policies and procedures and adheres to federal and state regulations for long-term care
• Respects cultural and religious practices of patients
• Upholds HIPAA regulations
• Maintains a punctual and dependable attendance record

Position Requirements

• Bachelors degree preferred
• Current certification or  licensure (as applicable) in good standing with the state board
• Minimum of (2) years LTC experience, preferred
• Prior supervisory experience preferable in Long Term Care 
• Federal, State, and MHI required credentials current and on file
• Cognitive skills as related to the position

Working Conditions

Because the patients need round-the clock care, working hours include days, nights, weekends and holidays.  The number of patients assigned per shift will vary with facility and specialty, if applicable.  The Activity Staff must guard against back injury because they may have to assist with moving/carrying activity equipment and supplies and/or residents: they must follow proper body mechanics and procedures for lifting/moving activity equipment , supplies and/or residents.  Employees are encouraged to safely move equipment and supplies and/or residents and use alternative methods whenever possible; alternative methods include requesting assistance to roll/lift/transfer of equipment and/or supplies.  Activity staff may face hazards from exposure infectious diseases.  In addition, the population cared for will contain patients that are confused, irrational, agitated, and/or uncooperative.

Physical Demands

• Prolonged periods of standing, bending, and reaching
• Lifting and carrying continuously.  The ability to lift up to twenty (20) pounds occasionally.  Assistance in moving, lifting or transferring of residents may involve lifting of up to fifty (50) pounds occasionally.   3. Ability to bend, stoop, stretch, twist, sit, and reach
• Fine motor skills
• Visual acuity

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand and talk or hear.  The employee is frequently required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach forward with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, or crouch.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift or move 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  

Physical Demand Ratings are an estimate of the overall strength requirements that are consider to be important for an average, successful work performance of a specific job. The overall physical demand rating for an Activity Staff falls within the medium classification (10 to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally.  Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.