ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR

JOBSUMMARY:

Theprimary purpose of the Activity Director position is to plan, organize, developand direct the overall operation of the Activity Department.

JOBDUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:


Administrative Functions
• Plan,develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the activity programs ofthis facility.
• Assistin the development, administering, and coordinating of department policies andprocedures.
• Keepabreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as professionalstandards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures tothe Administrator.
• Reviewdepartment policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate inmaking recommended changes.
• Developand maintain policies and procedures for the identification of medicallyrelated activity needs of the resident.
• Referresident/family to appropriate social service personnel when necessary.
• Referresident/families to appropriate business office personnel as toMedicare/Medicaid, and other financial assistance programs when necessary.
• Giveassistance or help in locating and arranging for services of otherprofessionals or agencies to solve problems and needs of residents.
• Participatein community planning related to the interests of the facility and the servicesneeds of the residents and families.
• Prepareand present monthly report on progress of activity program.
• Develop,implement and maintain an ongoing quality assurance program for the activitydepartment.


Activity Functions
• Organizeprograms for group and individual activities based on residents' individualizedneeds as identified in residents' health care plans.
• Maintaina balance of recreational activities including physical, social, religious,diversional, spiritual, intellectual, and creative arts and crafts.
• Communicateresidents' programs to residents, residents' families, volunteers, and facilitystaff. Communication may occur throughposting of a large monthly calendar in centralized locations within thebuilding and circulation of copies of the monthly calendar.
• Offeractivities at hours convenient to the residents and that reflect the overalldemographics of the resident population.
• Providemotivation for participation in Residents' Council and scheduled a time andplace for meetings.
• Ensuregroup activities are scheduled to provide for maximum involvement by interestedresidents.
• Selectresidents for activity participation according to each resident's activityinterest, needs and potential.
• Involveresidents and families in planning facility activity programs.
• Coordinatescheduled activities with other departments.
• Assistin arranging transportation to outside activities when necessary.
• Helpread incoming mail, and address and post outgoing mail upon the residents'requests.
• Responsiblefor transportation of residents within the facility from one area to anotherwhere activities are occurring.
• Recruit,orientate, and supervise volunteers and maintain records of volunteer programs.
• Communicatethe facility's volunteer needs to the community.
• Participatein community planning related to the interests of the facility and arrange forthe use of community facilities by residents.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions
• Interviewresidents/families on admission and involve them in determining appropriateactivities for the resident.
• Formulatewritten plans of care for each admitted resident.
• Reviewand update plan of care according to established policies.
• Recordcontinuing progress notes on resident's activities and response of resident toactivity program.
• Recordresident's activity participation in resident's individual medical record. Keepgroup records of participation on scheduled activities.
• RecordSection I of the MDS, activity pursuits portion and resident's activityinterest and activity needs assessment. After completing the MDS, recordresident's initial activities-health-care plan.
• Identifyand evaluate personal, emotional, and environmental concerns that prevent orlimit the resident's full use of medical, nursing, and restorative care.
• Recognizeabnormal signs and symptoms, which may signify a physical change in theresident's condition that could require nursing intervention. Report changes to the charge nurse.
• Participatein discharge planning; development and implementation of activity care plansand resident assessments.

Committee Functions
• Serveon, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility as requiredor appointed by the Administrator.
• Providewritten and/or oral reports of the activities programs as directed by suchcommittees.
• Participatein regularly scheduled reviews of resident discharge plans.
• Evaluateand implement recommendations from established committees as they may pertainto activity services.
• Meetwith activity personnel, on a regularly scheduled basis and solicit advice frominter-department supervisors concerning the operation of the department, assistin identify and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.
• Attenddepartment head meetings as scheduled.

Personnel Functions
• Assistin the recruitment, interviewing and selection of personnel for the activitydepartment.
• Determinedepartmental staffing needs necessary to meet the activity programming needsand assign activity personnel and/or volunteers for each scheduled activity.
• Scheduledepartment work hours, personnel, work assignments, etc. to expedite work.
• Delegateresponsibility and accountability to other activity personnel as deemednecessary to perform their assigned duties.
• Counsel/disciplineactivity personnel as necessary.
• Recommendtermination of employment to the Administrator if necessary.
• Reviewand check competence of activity personnel and make adjustments as necessary.
• Makedaily rounds to assure that activity personnel are performing required dutiesas assigned.
• Conductindividual performance evaluations in accordance with the facility's policiesand procedures.

StaffDevelopment Functions
• Develop,implement and maintain an effective orientation program that orients newassociates to the activities department and its programs.
• Developand participate in the planning, scheduling and conducting of timely in-servicetraining classes that ensures a well-educated activity department.
• Assistthe Staff Development Coordinator in developing and conducting inservicetraining programs that relate to resident activities and the activitydepartment.

Safetyand Sanitation Functions
• Assistin developing safety standards for the activity department.
• Followestablished safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smokingregulations, infection control, etc.
• Monitordepartment personnel to assure they are following established safetyregulations in the use of equipment and supplies.
• Ensurethat department work and activity areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary andsafe manner.
• Ensurethat departmental personnel participate in and conduct all fire safety anddisaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner.
• Assistthe Infection Control Committee in the development, implementation, andrevising of written aseptic and isolation techniques relative to activities.
• Implementand maintain a program for monitoring communicable and/or infectious diseasesamong residents and personnel as it relates to activity programming.
• Ensurethat all procedures governing reporting hazardous conditions, exposure toblood/body fluids, use of labels and MSDS sheets, and blood borne pathogens arefollowed.

Equipmentand Supply Functions
• Recommendto the Administrator the equipment and supply needs of the activity department.
• Maintainadequate activity supplies and equipment to meet needs and interests ofresidents, ensure materials are available to residents.
• Placeorders for equipment and supplies as necessary.
• Makeperiodic rounds to check equipment to assure that it is in proper workingcondition.
• Checksupply rooms to assure that needed activity supplies and on hand to conductscheduled activities.
• Developand implement procedures that ensure activity supplies are used in an efficientmanner to avoid waste.
• Ensurethat appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessarydepartmental cleaning functions.
• Budgetand Planning Functions
• Forecastneeds of the department
• Assistin preparing and planning the activity department's budget for food, equipment,supplies, and labor and submit to the Administrator for review.
• Maintaincurrent written records of department expenditures and assure that adequatefinancial records and cost reports are submitted to the Administrator uponrequest.
• Makedepartmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and or asdictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.

ResidentRights Responsibilities
• Maintainthe confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Knockbefore entering a resident's room.
• Ensurethat all activity personnel are knowledgeable of the resident's rights andresponsibilities, including the right of refusal.
• Reviewcomplaints and grievances made by the resident and make a written/oral reportto the Administrator indicating what actions were taken to resolve thecomplaint and the current status of the complaint following establishedfacility procedures.
• Participatein resident council meetings as requested and provide support services to suchcouncil.

WorkingConditions
• Worksin office areas as well as throughout the facility.
• Movesintermittently during work hours.
• Issubject to frequent interruptions.
• Isinvolved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel,under all conditions and circumstances.
• Issubject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personneland visitors.
• Communicateswith the medical staff, nursing personnel and other department supervisors.
• Worksbeyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.Works on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Issubject to callback during emergency conditions.
• Issubject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout theworkday, as well as to reactions from dust, plastics, synthetics,disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potential contaminants.
• Attendsand participates in continuing educational programs.
• Issubject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. includingTB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Maybe subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Maintainsa liaison with the resident, their families, support departments, etc. toadequately plan for the residents' needs.

JOBREQUIREMENTS:

Education
• Mustpossess, as a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED.
• Atwo-year or higher degree in therapeutic recreation, social work, or relateddegree is preferred.

Experience
• Must be directed by a qualifiedprofessional who is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or anactivities professional who-
• Must be licensed or registered,if applicable by the state which practicing; and
• Must be Eligible forcertification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activitiesprofessional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1 1990; or
• Has (2) years of experience ina social or recreational program within the last (5) years, one of which wasfull-time in a therapeutic activities program; or
• Must be a qualifiedoccupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or
• Must have completed a trainingcourse approved by the state.

Specific Requirements
• Mustbe a member in good standing in the National Association of Social Workers.
• Mustbe able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Mustdisplay professionalism both in appearance and attitude.
• Mustpossess the ability to solve problems and make independent decisions whencircumstances warrant such action.
• Mustgenuinely care for and understand the elderly and disabled.
• Mustpossess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, familymembers, visitors, government agency personnel and the general public.
• Mustpossess the ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with and to coachand supervise other personnel.
• Mustbe able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs,goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providingsocial services.
• Musthave patience, tact, a positive disposition and enthusiasm, as well as thewillingness to handle difficult people.
• Mustbe willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporatethem into existing activities practices.
• Mustbe able to relate information concerning a resident's condition.
• Mustnot pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in theworkplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)
• Mustbe able to move continuously throughout the workday.
• Mustbe able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Mustbe able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses tofunction adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can befully met.
• Mustfunction independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and theability to work effectively with residents, families, personnel, and supportagencies.
• Mustmeet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of thisfacility, which may include a medical and physical examination.
• Mustbe able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionallyupset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Mustbe 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.
• Maybe necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergencysituations.
• Sitting: 1-2 hour per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing andwalking.
• Standing: 4-5 hours per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to walking andoccasionally to sitting.
• Walking: 2-3 hours per 8 hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing andoccasionally 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
• 11-20lbs. Rarely
• 21-35lbs. Rarely
• Driving: Rarely
• Pushing: Continuously
• Bending: Occasionally
• Squatting: Rarely
• Kneeling: Rarely
• Crawling: Rarely
• Climbing: Rarely
• Reaching: Occasionally
• Grasping: Occasionally
• FineManipulation: Continuously

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

EqualEmployment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate onthe basis of race, color, age, sex, religion, veteran's status, nationalorigin, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic protected bylaw.


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