Activities Assistant

Activities Assistant / Aide
Fahrney Keedy in Boonsboro Maryland / near Hagerstown
Full Time / Evening Shift
$17.00 - $20.50

Hours are Sunday - Thursday 11:30am - 8pm or Tuesday - Saturday 11:30am - 8pm

SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in the planning, implementing and evaluation of recreational, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual programs in accordance with the resident’s assessment and service plan, and as may be directed by your supervisor.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As an Activity Aide, you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL:

Employment with Fahrney-Keedy is “at will”. Either the associate or Fahrney-Keedy may terminate the employment relationship for any reason at any time without notice, regardless of the length of employment or the granting of benefits of any kind, including but not limited to benefits which provide for vesting based on length of service.

CONFIDENTIALITY:

Fahrney-Keedy associates recognize that Fahrney-Keedy has and will have information regarding financial, personal and medical affairs and other vital information (collectively, “information”) which are valuable, special and unique assets of Fahrney-Keedy. Associates agree that they will not at any time or in any manner solicit, collect or divulge any Information to any third party without the prior written consent of Fahrney-Keedy. This information is Company property which may not be disclosed outside the facility unless properly released for publication. Associates will protect the Information and treat it as strictly confidential. Associates should not discuss Fahrney-Keedy affairs with others.

JOB FUNCTION:

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• 1. Provides one-on-one visitation and in-room activities for room-bound residents.
• 2. Invites and encourages residents to participate in everyday programs where appropriate.
• 3. Works with residents needing special assistance and transports them to and from activities as needed.
• 4. Ensures that activity area is in good order before and after each activity session.
• 5. Provides library services for residents and reading material on tape for those residents who have vision impairments.
• 6. Encourages hobbies for residents to enjoy and provides materials and supplies that will hold residents’ interests.
• 7. Instructs, supervises and monitors residents during craft activities for safety; i.e., cooking, using a hot glue gun, etc.
• 8. Understands of each resident’s capabilities according to cognitive levels and provides appropriate activities for each level.
• 9. Encourages social communication among residents through group activities and recreation.
• 10. Assists in preparing food and decorations for parties, picnics, etc.
• 11. Transports residents on trips in Fahrney-Keedy van or bus.
• 12. Transports residents on trips in the facility van or bus.
• 13. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with all departments throughout Fahrney-Keedy.
• 14. Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout Fahrney-Keedy.

Administrative Duties:

• 1. Assists in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the activity programs of the Memory Care Unit.
• 2. Observes resident attendance, mood, behavior, and degree of involvement so that facility activities and resident progress are evaluated, by noting, reporting, and charting resident behavior.
• 3. Participates in community planning related to the interests of Fahrney-Keedy and the services and needs of the residents/families.
• 4. Interviews residents/families to obtain activity information.
• 5. Involves residents/families in planning activity programs when possible.
• 6. Involves residents/families in planning objectives and goals for the residents.
• 7. Assists in planning parties, providing games, and encouraging resident participation in the planning of the same.
• 8. Provides topics of interest to residents and encourages residents to participate in activities.
• 9. Ensures that all charted activity progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident’s response to the services.
• 10. Serves on, participates in, and attends various committees at Fahrney-Keedy as requested.
• 11. Assists in developing volunteer activity assignments as needed.
• 12. Assists in the development of the monthly calendar, including providing creative input, ideas, and suggestions for programs and volunteer recruitment.
• 13. Assists with correspondence, mailings, bulletin boards, flyers, displays and seasonal decorations.

SAFETY & INFECTION CONTROL:

• 1. Reports equipment malfunctions to appropriate staff and complete work orders when indicated.
• 2. Identifies and remove safety hazards/devices and report to appropriate staff.
• 3. Utilizes standard precautions by wearing personal protective equipment (goggles, gowns, gloves) when indicated.
• 4. Follows Fahrney-Keedy’s fire and safety policies.
• 5. Responsible for safety of residents in coordination with other staff members.
• 6. Must possess a clean driving record in accordance with Fahrney-Keedy’s Fleet Safety Program Policy.
• 7. Ensures department work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary and safe manner.
• 8. Follows proper hand washing technique.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Works throughout the facility.
• Subject to frequent interruptions.
• Subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, visitors, etc.
• May work beyond normal working hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Subject to call-back during emergency conditions (i.e., severe weather, evacuation, post disaster, etc.)
• Subject to handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste diseases, conditions, etc., including TB, HIV, Hep. B, etc.
• Attends and participates in educational programs.
• Subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc. throughout the workday, as well as reactions from dust, disinfectants, and/or other air contaminants.

RESIDENT RIGHTS:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.
• Ensure that you treat all residents fairly with kindness, dignity, and respect.
• Ensure that you are knowledgeable of the residents’ rights and responsibilities, including the right of refusal.
• Knock and wait for permission to enter all residents’ rooms.
• Report all allegations of resident abuse and/or misappropriation of resident property to the Fahrney-Keedy Abuse Coordinator.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide activity services appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must be a supportive team member, contribute to and be an example of team work and team concept.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with staff, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel, and the general public.
• Must possess the ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other staff.
• Must have patience, tact, a cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as the willingness to handle difficult residents.
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing practices.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace.

EDUCATION:

• Must possess a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Must be certified or willing to become certified in First Aid.

PRIOR/RELATED EXPERIENCE:

• Experience with elderly residents with or without memory impairments preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL & SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices):

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
• Must be able to relay information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, staff, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which 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 25 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 50 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

I have read this job description and fully understand that the requirements set forth therein have been determined to be essential to this position. I hereby accept the position and agree to perform the tasks outlined in the job description in a safe manner and in accordance with he facility’s established procedures. I understand that as a result of my employment, I may be exposed to blood, body fluids, infectious diseases, air contaminants and hazardous chemicals and that the facility will provide to me instructions on how to prevent and control such exposures. I further understand that I may also be exposed to the Hepatitis B Virus and that the facility will make available to me, free of charge, the Hepatitis B vaccination. I also understand I may not release/disclose protected health or facility information without proper authorization.

I understand that my employment is at-will, and thereby understand that my employment may be terminated at will either by the facility or myself, and that such termination can be made with or without notice.