Activity Assistant

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of the Activity Assistant position is to assist in planning, organizing, developing and implementing the resident activity programs of the facility.

JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Functions

• Assist in planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities based on residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.
• Assist in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family as directed by the Activity Director.
• Assist in maintaining a balance of recreational activities based on the particular demographics of the residents.
• Assist in coordination of activity schedules with other departments as necessary.
• Communicate residents’ programs to residents, residents’ families, volunteers, and facility staff.
• Decorates monthly bulletin boards indicating future activities, holiday themes, and/or picture review of past activities.
• Assists in transportation of residents within the facility from one area of activity to another.
• Participate in group activities to ensure maximum involvement by interested residents.
• Help read incoming mail, and address and post outgoing mail upon the resident’s request.
• Arrange transportation for field trips as requested.

Miscellaneous Activity Functions

• Assist in making appointments for the residents as requested.
• Assist in scheduling movies, planning parties, and providing games/activities for residents.
• Encourage residents to participate in hobbies, crafts and other activities. Provide materials as necessary.
• Supervise activities as necessary in the absence of the Director and/or Assistant Director.
• Provide reading materials in various formats i.e., Braille, tapes, large print, etc. as necessary.
• Assist in providing library services for residents through cooperation with local library.
• Make routine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc. as necessary.
• Assist in arranging for special events i.e., bazaars, picnics, birthdays, anniversaries as necessary.
• Assist bed bound residents by visiting them, writing letters, running errands, reading, etc.
• Perform clerical duties as assigned by Activity Director or Assistant Director.
• Perform daily, weekly and Monthly duties as described on attached Addendum.

Care Plan, Assessment and Documentation Functions

• Assist the Activity Director in developing comprehensive assessments and progress notes of the activity needs of each resident.
• Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms that may signify a physical change in resident’s condition that could require nursing intervention. Report changes to charge nurse and Activity Director.
• Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.

Committee Functions

• Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as requested by the Activity Director.
• Provide written and/or oral reports of the programs and activities as required by the committee.
• Assist the Activity Director in evaluating and implementing recommendations from established committees as they may relate to activity services.
• Assist in planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities based on residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.

Staff Development Functions

• Assist the Activity Director in orienting new associates, activity personnel and/or volunteers to the activity department.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Review and inventory activity supplies and equipment and recommend to the Activity Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.
• Assist in conducting periodic checks of equipment to assure that all equipment is in good working order.
• Check supply rooms to be sure that activity supplies are on hand to conduct scheduled activities.
• Ensure that appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary activity and departmental cleaning functions.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• Assist in the development of safety standards for the activity department.
• Monitor volunteers to assure they are following established safety and infection control regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ensure that department work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe manner.
• Follow all facility infection control, communicable disease, isolation and hazardous conditions policies and procedures.
• Be sure that protective clothing/devices are on hand for handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.

Resident Rights Responsibilities

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Knock before entering a resident’s room.
• Ensure that all activity personnel are knowledgeable of the resident’s right and responsibilities, including the right of refusal.
• Review complaints made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Activity Director indicating what action/s were taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
• Participate in resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.

Working Conditions

• Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility.
• Moves intermittently during work hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, under all conditions and circumstances.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personnel and visitors.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing personnel and other department supervisors.
• Works beyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily, when necessary. Works on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Is subject to callback during emergency conditions.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the workday, as well as to reactions from dust, plastics, synthetics, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potential contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. including TB, AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Maintains a liaison with the resident, their families, support departments, etc. to adequately plan for the residents’ needs.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED.

Experience

• Must have a minimum of six (6) months of experience in a social or recreational program within the last five years preferably within a health care setting.

Specific Requirements

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must display professionalism both in appearance and attitude.
• Must possess the ability to solve problems and make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must genuinely care for and understand the elderly and disabled.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agency personnel and the general public.
• Must possess the ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Must be able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing activity services.
• Must have patience, tact, a positive disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult people.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing activities practices.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

• Must be able to move continuously throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must be able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, families, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which may include a medical and physical examination.
• Must be able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Must be able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 10 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 5 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.
• Sitting: 1-2 hour per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing and walking.
• Standing: 4-5 hours per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to walking and occasionally to sitting.
• Walking: 2-3 hours per 8 hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing and occasionally to sitting.
• Lifting: 1-10 lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Occasionally

21-35 lbs. Rarely

36-50 lbs. Rarely

51-75 lbs. Rarely

> 75 lbs. Rarely

• Carrying: 1-10 lbs. Continuously

11-20 lbs. Rarely

21-35 lbs. Rarely

• Driving: Rarely
• Pushing: Continuously
• Bending: Occasionally
• Squatting: Rarely
• Kneeling: Rarely
• Crawling: Rarely
• Climbing: Rarely
• Reaching: Occasionally
• Grasping: Occasionally
• Fine Manipulation: Continuously

(Frequency: Never=0%; Rarely=1-10%; Occasionally=11=33%; Frequently = 34-66%; Continuously = 67% )

Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, veteran’s status, national origin, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.