ACTIVITY DIRECTOR

JOB SUMMARY:

The Director of Activities delivers a quality program of activities that is designed to meet the needs of the individuals and groups, and functions as a team member of the multidisciplinary team. The Director of Activities also provides assistance to other departments if needed and available.

EDUCATION:

A high school diploma is required. Must be able to communicate well, verbally and in writing.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be a qualified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist who is:

1. Licensed or registered, if applicable by the State in which practicing; and
2. Eligible for certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by a recognized accrediting body on August 1, 1989; or
3. Has two years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last five years, one of which was a full-time in patient activities program in a health care setting; or
4. Is a qualified Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant; or
5. Has completed a training course approved by the State.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Restoring self-confidence, community reintegration, resocialization skills, improving physical condition, leisure education for residents, one-one programming for the room/bedbound, providing mental stimulation and sensory stimulation, and develops a plan for each resident that is designed for restoration to the health care facility.

1. Completes an Interest Survey/Initial Assessment on all residents within seven days of admission, prior to care plan conference. Makes an introductory visit to residents within 48 hours of admission.
2. Based on information as a result of the Interest Survey/Initial Assessment, identifies problems and needs of the resident and develops an activity plan designed to meet the individual needs of the resident.
3. Participates in patient care plan conferences as schedule by the Director of Nursing.
4. Is familiar with Federal and State regulations regarding activity programming for long term care facilities and functions accordingly. Participates in survey exits, and assists in responding to the survey when appropriate.
5. Has working knowledge of Resident's Rights and is an advocate for the resident.
6. Is responsible for completion of all documentation required by the Activity Department, in a timely and professional manner.
7. Communicates with all Department Heads to insure full implementation and understanding of the activity program.
8. Is responsible for orienting all activity personnel to the facility's policies and procedures.
9. Provides training, supervision, and evaluation of all activity personnel.
10. Keeps confidential any and all information regarding the resident's personal and clinical records.
11. Presents a minimum of two in-services annually, designed to educate/support staff in the purpose and role of the activities program in the facility.
12. Evaluates the resident's response to the activity plan as indicated.
13. Provides assistance to the Resident Council as requested.
14. Develops an ongoing program of meaningful activities, designed to meet the needs and interests of each resident, and is responsible for the implementation of programs.
15. Keeps a current list of precautions noted on all residents available for reference at all times in the activities office.
16. Participates in community-oriented projects, and special marketing projects.
17. Schedules all presentation of visiting groups and coordinates interdepartmental communications regarding special events.
18. Coordinates and supervises the activity volunteer program. Recruits, trains, and orients volunteers.
19. Plans and coordinates the use of Activity funds within budget, and keeps accurate records, money spent, as well as resident input into spending of funds.
20. Transport residents on community outings.
21. Adapts activities to meet resident capabilities.
22. Willing to work flexible hours to meet patient needs (some evening and weekends).
23. Performs cognitive orientation that may be related to impairment of daily living functions.
    • Orient to person, place, or time
    • Reality orientation
    • Memory recall, long and short term
24. Maintains confidentiality, adhering to established policies on confidentiality in regards to residents, employees, and family members.
25. Attends required staff in-services, orientation, and continuing education activities as required.
26. Is aware of fire and disaster plans and is prepared to function accordingly.
27. Is aware of procedures directly related to patient care (infection control, record keeping and terminology).
28. Aware of the chain of command and functions within the role as a professional.
29. Maintains acceptable degree of organization of activity supplies, and keeps inventory of supplies and usage.
30. Uses time management and supervises the time of Activity personnel.
31. Coordinates fund raisers for the Activity Department.
32. Produces monthly newsletter.
33. Other duties as assigned by their supervisor.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Use the percentages range as follows:

• 0% Never
• 1 - 33% Occasional
• 34 - 66% Frequent
• 67 - 100% Continuous

Requires full range of body motion including:

1. Standing/Walking: Frequently.

• Worker will be spending considerable time up and about in the facility doing various tasks per job description.

2. Bending/Stooping: Frequently.

• Worker will be bending or stooping to work with supplies, preparation of documents, filing, working with clinical records, etc.

3. Lifting/Handling: Occasionally.

• Worker will be lifting/handling supplies to do inventory, restock, ordering, as well as filing and auditing of clinical records, etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

4. Carrying: Occasionally.

• Worker will be carrying clinical records, manuals and supplies, etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

5. Pushing/Pulling: Occasionally.

• Worker will be pushing/pulling on various supplies storing, moving and taking inventory of supplies as well as with clinical records filing, auditing, preparing for each month, etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

6. Balancing: Frequently.

• Worker will be balancing supplies to be stored, moved from storage to using area, etc. When moving records from active to inactive status or during auditing periods, worker will be balancing legal documents that are not secure.

7. Pivoting/Turning: Frequently.

• Worker will be pivoting and turning to stock supplies, handle records, etc.

8. Crouching/Stooping: Frequently.

• Worker will be crouching/stooping to file records, working with supplies to restock inventory of supplies, etc.

9. Kneeling: Occasionally.

• Worker will be kneeling to file records, stock and inventory supplies, etc.

10. Reaching

• Filing administrative folders, records; nursing file folders.

1. Greater than shoulder height: Occasionally.
2. Equal to shoulder height: Occasionally.
3. Less than shoulder height: Occasionally.

11. Manual Dexterity: Continuously.

• Worker will be using fine and gross motor dexterity skills in all of job requirements.

12. Speaking/Hearing/Seeing: Continuously.

• Worker must be able to communicate with co-workers, residents, families, public, etc. Face to face as well as in telephone communication.

JOB LOCATION:

Must work throughout all nursing areas of the facility. May require working irregular hours and may be exposed to communicable diseases and/or body fluids, medical preparations, toxic substances and occasionally ionizing radiation.