Activity Assistant

Title: ActivityAssistant

Job Code: ACT003

Dept: Activities

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

JOBSUMMARY:

Theprimary purpose of the Activity Assistant position is to assist in planning,organizing, developing and implementing the resident activity programs of thefacility.

JOBDUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Functions

• Assistin planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities basedon residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.
• Assistin community planning related to the interests of the facility and the servicesand needs of the resident and family as directed by the Activity Director.
• Assistin maintaining a balance of recreational activities based on the particulardemographics of the residents.
• Assistin coordination of activity schedules with other departments as necessary.
• Communicateresidents’ programs to residents, residents’ families, volunteers, and facilitystaff.
• Decoratesmonthly bulletin boards indicating future activities, holiday themes, and/orpicture review of past activities.
• Assistsin transportation of residents within the facility from one area of activity toanother.
• Participatein group activities to ensure maximum involvement by interested residents.
• Helpread incoming mail, and address and post outgoing mail upon the resident’srequest.
• Arrangetransportation for field trips as requested.

MiscellaneousActivity Functions

• Assistin making appointments for the residents as requested.
• Assistin scheduling movies, planning parties, and providing games/activities forresidents.
• Encourageresidents to participate in hobbies, crafts and other activities. Providematerials as necessary.
• Superviseactivities as necessary in the absence of the Director and/or AssistantDirector.
• Providereading materials in various formats i.e., Braille, tapes, large print, etc. asnecessary.
• Assistin providing library services for residents through cooperation with local library.
• Makeroutine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc.as necessary.
• Assistin arranging for special events i.e., bazaars, picnics, birthdays,anniversaries as necessary.
• Assistbed bound residents by visiting them, writing letters, running errands,reading, etc.
• Performclerical duties as assigned by Activity Director or Assistant Director.
• Performdaily, weekly and Monthly duties as described on attached Addendum.

CarePlan, Assessment and Documentation Functions

• Assistthe Activity Director in developing comprehensive assessments and progressnotes of the activity needs of each resident.
• Recognizeabnormal signs and symptoms that may signify a physical change in resident’scondition that could require nursing intervention. Report changes to chargenurse and Activity Director.
• Developand maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan toensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan ofcare.

CommitteeFunctions

• Serveon, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility asrequested by the Activity Director.
• Providewritten and/or oral reports of the programs and activities as required by thecommittee.
• Assistthe Activity Director in evaluating and implementing recommendations fromestablished committees as they may relate to activity services.
• Assistin planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities basedon residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.

StaffDevelopment Functions

• Assistthe Activity Director in orienting new associates, activity personnel and/orvolunteers to the activity department.

Equipmentand Supply Functions

• Reviewand inventory activity supplies and equipment and recommend to the ActivityDirector the equipment and supply needs of the department.
• Assistin conducting periodic checks of equipment to assure that all equipment is ingood working order.
• Checksupply rooms to be sure that activity supplies are on hand to conduct scheduledactivities.
• Ensurethat appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary activityand departmental cleaning functions.

Safetyand Sanitation Functions

• Assistin the development of safety standards for the activity department.
• Monitorvolunteers to assure they are following established safety and infectioncontrol regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ensurethat department work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safemanner.
• Followall facility infection control, communicable disease, isolation and hazardousconditions policies and procedures.
• Besure that protective clothing/devices are on hand for handling infectious wasteand/or blood/body fluids.

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 right andresponsibilities, including the right of refusal.
• Reviewcomplaints made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the ActivityDirector indicating what action/s were taken to resolve the complaint and thecurrent status of the complaint.
• Participatein resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services tosuch council.

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.
• Attendsand participates in continuing educational programs.
• 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.
• Issubject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. includingTB, 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.

Experience

• Musthave a minimum of six (6) months of experience in a social or recreationalprogram within the last five years preferably within a health care setting.

Specific Requirements

• 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 otherpersonnel.
• Mustbe able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs,goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providingactivity 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 10pounds 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
• 11-20 lbs. Rarely
• 21-35 lbs. Rarely