Life Enrichment Specialist-WES Care

Job Title: Life Enrichment Specialist

Work Schedule: 4 days during the week and 1 weekend day required.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Philadelphia Model: Addressing serious mental illness (SMI) in long-term care (LTC) will provide highly

structured therapeutic residential behavioral healthcare and treatment for frail adults who are eligible for

skilled nursing level of care who also have serious mental illness and who have reached maximum benefit

from the mental health resources available elsewhere in the community or hospital. The program philosophy

is to create a welcoming, safe, and supportive environment where frail older adults with SMI that may include

other complex behavioral health needs and/or prior criminal history – and need long-term skilled nursing

services – can receive the care and services needed to address their holistic needs free of stigma. A multidisciplinary team will provide both long-term care and behavioral health services in this integrated program.

All team members will adhere to the WES CARE philosophy of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and adhere

to the mission to promote total wellness and provide high-quality residential health services to culturally diverse populations through a combination of compassion, innovative thinking, nimble and adaptive strategy, and engagement with clients, staff, and provider partners.

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF KEY ROLES & RESPONSABILITIES:

The Life Enrichment Coordinator provides residents with a variety of quality programs, one-to-one visits, and sensory/environmental stimulations to enhance their quality of life. Has the general responsibility to coordinate, evaluate and deliver life enriching, creative wellness therapy to residents with serious mental illness utilizing recreational, social, cultural, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual programs to address resident’s needs. Will plan and carry out activities in accordance with program guidelines along with the resident's assessment and care plan in collaboration with Life Enrichment Department at West Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

ESSENTIAL & CORE FUNCTIONS:

• Assist residents in working toward treatment goals through creative, life enriching treatment sessions, individual and group projects, and milieu activities with other residents and team members.

• Promote the physical, social, and mental well-being of residents by applying experience in activities and knowledge of diagnoses and conditions of residents.

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, and evaluate the activity programs of this program.

• Follow the care plan in providing daily activities for the residents.

• Select group tasks that address plan goals, and observable behavior.

• Interview residents and family members to obtain appropriate activity information.

• Develop therapeutic relationship with residents to develop realistic treatment plans, with short- and long-term goals.

• Create and maintain a calm environment with an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis.

• Incorporate residents’ cultural and spiritual values and age-related psychosocial developmental needs into program planning.

• Arrange physical environment in preparation for activities, including moving/arranging of equipment/supplies to assure that activity areas are ready for scheduled activity while ensuring resident and guest safety.

• Use and operate activity equipment and supplies in an efficient safe manner.

• Assist in cleaning up after completing activity functions.

• Create/provide materials, decorations and set up necessary equipment for activity functions.

• Escort residents to and from the activity area. Arrange transportation for field trips when necessary.

• Assist in scheduling movies, planning parties, and providing games/activities for residents.

• Closely supervise and oversee the residents engaged in scheduled activities.

• Observe and document residents’ attendance, mood, behavior, progress, and degree of involvement in activities.

• Complete progress notes that are informative and descriptive for the services provided and indicate the resident's response to the service.

• Complete MDS requirements and care plan updates as needed.

• Encourage residents to participate in recreational activities, developing strategies for motivating residents as needed.

• Make routine visits to residents and help with crafts, projects, etc., as necessary.

• May arrange for the sale of articles made by residents, i.e., at bazaars, in gift shops, etc. Assist bedridden residents by visiting them, writing letters, running errands, as necessary.

• Encourage residents to develop their educational development through reading, etc.

• Anticipate and plan for special or seasonal events, including appropriate evening, weekend, and holiday programming.

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with other departments within the facility to assure that daily activities can be performed without interruption.

• Review complaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written and oral report to the Program Director.

• Identify resources for community outings and educate residents about the use of community resources with an emphasis on developing leisure resources and skills that can be integrated into aftercare planning.

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies, as necessary.

• Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Program Director as required.

• Assist in maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for the activity department.

• Maintain confidentiality of all resident care information.

• All other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Program Director.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

Bachelor's degree in behavioral health or related field preferred. Certification as a Therapeutic Recreational Specialist (CTRS) is preferred. Previous working experience in Long Term Care (LTC) mental health, preferably with the frail older adult with serious mental illness population is required. Previous experience as an activities/life enrichment worker preferred. Bilingual capabilities are a plus.

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

• Knowledge of outreach strategies; admissions process and insurance plans; Knowledge of/experience with insurance providers, managed Medicaid plans and medical assistance

• Knowledge of medical terminology – with the ability to discuss clinical evaluations;

• Working knowledge of HIPAA requirements;

• Working knowledge of electronic medical records and other related computer applications;

• Solid organizational skills with high degree of emotional intelligence & ethics;

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity;

• Proficient computer (i.e., Excel) and reporting skills;

• Ability to work with a diverse population with respect to cultural and social factors;

• Ability to work with vulnerable populations with respect to physical, emotional, and mental considerations;

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing on an appropriate level;

• Ability to plan, prioritize, organize, analyze, evaluate, and make sound decisions;

• Ability to prepare clear, accurate and effective reports, correspondence, and other written materials;

• Proficient with establishing and maintaining effective work relationships;

• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines – flexible schedule may be required as admissions responsibilities dictate;

• Ability to maintain confidentiality & exercise professional judgment on a routine basis;

• Demonstrated ability to handle difficult situations in a professional manner.

• Knowledge: Understands duties and responsibilities, has necessary skill set and technical skills. Understands company mission/values.

• Decision Making: Uses effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions and/or reaching conclusions.

• Relationship with Others: Demonstrates good rapport and cooperative working relationships; inspires confidence from patients, visitors, and staff by always performing in a highly professional manner and maintains a professional relationship with outside referral sources.

• Customer Service: Demonstrates concern for meeting internal and external customers' needs in a manner that provides satisfaction for the customer within the resources that can be made available.

• Communication and Interpersonal Skills: Communicate information to individuals or groups; clearly and concisely convey information orally or in writing to individuals or groups to ensure they understand the information conveyed. Listen and respond appropriately to others. Ability to establish effective working relationships which foster organizational success.

• Quality of Work: Maintains high standards with strong attention to detail and accuracy

ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY & RELATIONSHIPS:

1. The individual is to be supervised by the WES CARE Program Director.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL and MENTAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing this job, the employee must be able to meet the physical and mental demands which may be strenuous at times. The employee must be prepared to work with uncooperative or aggressive residents.

At times, the employee may be required to stand, sit, walk, reach with hands and arms, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl for extended periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift, push, or pull light to medium objects up to 10 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Regularly, the employee will be required to talk, hear, and use hands.

While working in client areas, the employee could be exposed to environmental hazards and contagious diseases. Knowledge of hospital health, infection control, ethics, and de-escalation policies is essential to successfully perform the functions of this position. All employees must follow the WES Infection Control policy and all federal, state, and local infection control regulations. Flexibility and scheduling are also necessary to complete required duties.