Director of Activities

Job Description

Job Description

About NEHD:

New England Homes for the Deaf, founded in 1901, is a life plan community that offers a continuum of care to Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing seniors, including independent living, rest home, skilled nursing community, Deaf senior centers, short-term rehabilitation services, respite care services and hospice care. The New England Homes for the Deaf mission is to provide long term healthcare, housing, recreational activities and social support for Deaf, Deafblind and hard of hearing individuals in an accessible, barrier-free, and culturally sensitive environment with optimal communication and architectural resources.

 

Position Summary:

To provide a varied social and recreational program that motivates and stimulates the social and emotional lives of residents. These activities must be conducted in large groups, small groups, and independent sessions.

 

Responsibilities :

• Structure, plans, schedule, and posts in advance, an activities program for the month, after discussion with administration.
• Meets with staff to discuss specific needs, issues, and concerns for the Activities Program.
• Monitors Activities Staff as they work with residents.
• Monitors daily Activity Logs for residents.
• Provides suitable activities to residents unable to leave their rooms.
• Hires staff in the Department and coordinates staffing, as needed.
• Coordinates volunteers for activities programs.
• Secures entertainment well in advance of the date and confirms the appointment the day before.
• Arranges for clergymen to conduct services of worship in the Home, confirms appointment the day before, and prepares the area to be used, per chaplain's instructions.
• Coordinates scheduling needs for Activities Programs.
• Coordinates staff replacement due to illness or vacation day.
• Continually meet with Activities staff to discuss scheduling, resident needs, and changes in calendars.
• Participates in daily morning meetings with Nursing and all Directors to discuss resident needs and concerns.
• Meets at weekly Director's Meeting
• Participates in care plan meetings with interdisciplinary team.
• Interviews and hires all Activities Staff, with assistance from Human Resources Director.
• Approves/denials of vacation days and time off.
• Monitors employee conduct and job performance of all Activities Staff.
• Conducts yearly Employee Reviews.
• Meets with nursing staff for weekly Care plan Meeting to discuss specific residents and their current plan of care, making changes to resident's activity levels, when needed.
• Provides updated MDS forms for each resident, based on their changing needs and interests.
• Participates with administration in a regular ongoing evaluation of the activities program.

 

Volunteers:

• Advertises volunteer needs of the department with Human Resources.
• Interviews and hires all Activities volunteers, with assistance from Human Resources Director.

 

Deaf/Blind Services:

• Oversees Deaf/Blind Activities Program

 

Direction of Memory Loss Program:

• Meets weekly with Memory Loss Program Coordinators' specific needs.
• Plans resident activities with coordinator of Memory Loss Program.

 

Other Job Functions :

COMPANY CONPLIANCE Duties: Must adhere to the Company's Code of Conduct and business Ethics policy, including documentation and reporting responsibilities.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT Duties: Attend and participate in educational activities, in-service training, and staff meetings; assist in orientation and training other staff.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Duties: Participate in Quality Improvement activities as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES Duties: Other duties as assigned or needed.

 

Physical and Sensory Requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

Walking/mobility, grasping, fine hand coordination, ability to hear and respond to pages; ability to read and write; ability to communicate with residents, family members, other personnel, and consultants; ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions; ability to understand and follow training and in-service education; ability to remain calm in emergency situations and when handling multiple tasks.

 

Required Experience :

Therapeutic recreation specialist or is licensed or registered, if applicable, by State in which practicing and is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activity professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; or

Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or has completed a training course approved by the State.

 

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Recreation Therapist preferred or
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant or
• Certified Activity Director (NCCAP or state specific).

 

Benefits:

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 403B
• 8 paid holidays, including your birthday
• Accrued 3 weeks vacation
• 6 PTO/Sick days

A background check report may be obtained for employment purposes. The background check may show criminal records.