Activities Assistant-FT 35 hours a week daylight

Description

The primary responsibilities of the Activities Assistant are to assist in implementing therapeutic recreations programs and carry out appropriate activities for all levels of care. Responsibilities include but are not limited to preparing/setting up for activities, leading groups, transporting residents to and from activities, maintaining written records of resident participation in group and individual activities, working individually with both ambulatory and immobile residents and reporting any positive or negative changes in the residents’ status to the HC Activities Coordinator.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) required.
• Prior work experience in the long-term care industry or working with older adults preferred.
• Ability to communicate with older population with varying metal and physical capabilities.
• Ability to process information accurately, make appropriate decisions and take appropriate action based upon the information available.
• Ability to work with confidential information and maintain its’ integrity.
• Sincere interest in working with the elderly.
• Be creative, positive, energetic, organized and patient.
• CPR and First Aid certified or ability to obtain.
• Current Virginia driver’s license and meets driver eligibility requirements per Sunnyside policy (HR069) as well as ability to drive a 14 passenger wheelchair bus. 
• Strong customer service skills; maintain a hospitality approach when engaging all individuals.

Requirements

• Assist in implementing activities and events to provide social, physical, spiritual and sensory stimulation for residents. – Perform room set-up, equipment preparation when necessary, having supplies ready and communicating/instructing volunteers on duties.
• Develop a professional relationship with residents, families, guests, volunteers and other departmental employees and volunteers. – Ensure residents’ needs are met and that department runs smoothly and efficiently with minimal complaints from residents and other departments. Read resident status changes daily.
• Work with individual residents and their unique personal interests based on information provided by HC Activity Coordinator.  – Meet the requirements of the residents’ individual care plans. Daily documentation of resident’s activity in Activity Log Notebook.
• Ask and encourage residents to attend group activities of interest. – Transport residents to and from activities.
• Attend, implement and facilitate weekday, evening and weekend events when scheduled to do so. – Document attendance and participation and forward information to HC Activity Coordinator. Lead a minimum of two activities per week. Complete 1:1 visits as needed for care plan and fill out appropriate documentation.
• Maintain, operate and set up equipment necessary for each activity or program. – Operate equipment and set up prior to the event(s) start on time. Ability to operate ALL A/V equipment. Operates general office equipment including cellular phone, audiovisual equipment, wheel chair van with ramp and belt restraints, 14 passenger van, and food carts in order to perform essential job duties on a daily basis.
• Visit new residents and those who transfer to another lifestyle to assist with orientation. – Orient resident within one month of move-in. Provide Funside and Calendar to resident upon move-in. Deliver Welcome Kit.
• Shop for department and submit receipts to the HC Activities Coordinator. – Shop efficiently, being a good steward of monies. Submit all receipts to the HC Activities Coordinator to ensure that all expenses are accounted for in a timely manner.
• Inform HC Activities Coordinator about any resident or volunteer issues related to the activities program(s).  – Meet with and communicate regularly with the HC Activities Coordinator to keep them informed about pertinent resident /staff/volunteer issues, concerns or successes of the program. Report positive or negative changes in residents’ health or behavior.
• Answer telephone and take messages for department staff when needed. Practice professional telephone etiquette at all times. Record daily activity phone line message when needed. Relay all messages received, including phone, written or spoken. Record activity information on Activity Line 4298 when HC Coordinator is out of the office.
• Maintain responsibility for assigned keys and all confidential information concerning residents. – Protect residents’ privacy and security. Abide by HIPAA regulations.
• Respond to fire and other emergencies following department guidelines. -Handle emergencies to ensure safety of the residents.