Activities Assistant Per Diem

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The Activities Assistant supports the Activities Director in planning, organizing, and providing meaningful recreational, social, therapeutic, and entertainment activities for residents. The Activities Assistant helps ensure that activities are appropriate to residents’ interests, abilities, needs, and care plans while promoting socialization, mental stimulation, emotional well-being, and quality of life.

The Activities Assistant works closely with residents, families, nursing staff, rehabilitation staff, and other departments to encourage resident participation and maintain a safe, welcoming, and engaging activities program.

• Assist with planning, preparing, and conducting daily activities for residents.

• Lead or assist with activities such as:

  • Arts and crafts

  • Music and singing

  • Games and trivia

  • Bingo

  • Exercise and movement programs

  • Movies and entertainment

  • Religious or spiritual programs, as applicable

  • Holiday and special events

  • Birthday celebrations

  • Social gatherings

  • Community outings and special programs

• Encourage residents to participate in activities while respecting their individual preferences and choices.

• Provide one-on-one activities for residents who are unable or unwilling to participate in group activities.

• Adapt activities for residents with physical, cognitive, sensory, or communication limitations.

• Assist residents to and from activity areas when appropriate and within the scope of assigned duties.

• Set up and clean activity areas before and after programs.

• Maintain activity supplies, equipment, decorations, and materials in an organized and safe manner.

• Assist with decorating common areas for holidays, special events, and resident celebrations.

• Maintain a positive, respectful, and friendly relationship with residents.

• Observe residents during activities and report significant changes in behavior, mood, participation, or condition to the appropriate staff member.

• Follow resident care plans and activity recommendations.

• Document resident participation and activities as required by facility policy and applicable regulations.

• Maintain confidentiality of resident information in accordance with facility policies and HIPAA requirements.

• Follow all infection prevention and control, safety, emergency, and resident rights policies.

• Assist with special facility events and programs as assigned.

• Work cooperatively with nursing, dietary, rehabilitation, social services, housekeeping, and other departments.

• Attend required staff meetings, in-services, and training programs.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Activities Director or Administrator.

The Activities Assistant is expected to:

• Treat every resident with dignity, respect, kindness, and compassion.

• Promote resident independence, choice, and personal preferences.

• Encourage participation without forcing or pressuring residents.

• Respect cultural, personal, and religious preferences.

• Support residents’ emotional and social well-being.

• Maintain a safe and inclusive environment during activities.

• Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or unsafe conditions immediately according to facility policy.

• High school diploma or GED preferred.

• Previous experience working with seniors, in a nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, recreation program, or similar setting preferred.

• Experience leading recreational or group activities is preferred.

• Must demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Must be dependable, patient, compassionate, and able to work effectively with elderly residents.

• Must be able to work cooperatively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Must be willing to learn and follow facility policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout the facility for extended periods.

• Ability to assist with setting up and moving activity materials and equipment.

• Ability to assist residents with mobility as permitted by training and assigned duties.

• Ability to communicate effectively with residents, families, and staff.

• Ability to safely perform assigned duties in a nursing home environment.

Work is primarily performed indoors in a nursing home environment, including resident rooms, activity rooms, dining areas, common areas, and outdoor areas. The position may involve exposure to infectious diseases, bodily fluids, cleaning products, and other conditions commonly found in a healthcare setting. The employee must follow all applicable safety and infection-control procedures.

The Activities Assistant is expected to maintain professional conduct, demonstrate reliability and punctuality, protect resident confidentiality, follow facility policies and procedures, and provide activities that promote residents’ quality of life and overall well-being.