Activities Leader

Purpose/belief statement:

The position of Activities Leader provides individualized activity care and services for residents.  This position functions as both a team member within the activities department and an interdisciplinary team member for an assigned unit(s) fostering team success.  While focusing on delivery of quality care, the position must also manage assigned resources.

Job duties & responsibilities

MAINTAINS UP TO DATE KNOWLEDGE OF ACTIVITIES AND PROVIDES ACCURATE DOCUMENTATION OF ALL SERVICES IN ORDER TO ASSURE THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF DEPARTMENT FUNCTION.

• Leads a variety of activities: one-to-one and group activities on/off assigned unit(s), outside and/or in the community (outings) for a diversified population as assigned. 
• Provides supplies and equipment for residents to participate in individual activities as assigned. 
• Assists with the planning, developing, coordinating and evaluating of diversified, resident-centered activities as requested.
• Assists in planning and scheduling holiday and special events, religious services, outings, community involvement.
• Assists with decorating for holidays, special events as assigned.
• Escorts residents to and from activities as needed.
• Provide one-on-one time with residents to follow-up on behavioral episodes; interventions.
• Attend community outings with residents.
• May arrange for specialized services (i.e., library, talking book) as assigned.
• Assists with posting activity schedules, posters, announcements and keeping bulletin boards up to date.
• Communicates and coordinates all plans for assigned activities with activity coordinator/activity director and other departments (schedules, food, room arrangements, escort assistance and transportation).
• Involves residents in planning, developing and evaluating the activities program.
• Assists in overseeing resident participation in their individualized activity program, as assigned.
• Advocates for residents regarding their needs, interests, preferences and rights.
• Utilizes a variety of supplies and equipment for activities. 
• May participate in resident council meetings.
• May participate in family council meetings.
• May participate in resident/family community support groups.
• May contact families/significant others for resident/family activities, as assigned.
• May involve families in planning family activities, as assigned.
• Maintains records and reports related to activities.
• May assist in monitoring programming in the center, outside and in the community.
• May assist residents with ADL needs, i.e., transfer, toileting, feeding, etc.
• Supervises assigned volunteers.
• May participate in fund raising events.
• Maintains a cooperative and open communication with activity coordinator, activity director and other staff
• May submit articles and/or information for newsletter.
• May assist with photographs and maintaining photo albums/scrap books and resident involvement in activities.
• Assists in supervising volunteers as assigned.
• Promotes positive relationships with individuals, business and organizations in the community through outings and activities provided by volunteers. 

MAINTAIN UP-TO-DATE ACTIVITY DOCUMENTATION ON INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS.

• May assist in completing activity assessments.
• Provides input into the MDS.
• Completes daily activity participation records.
• Provides input into activity care plans.
• Implement activity care plans.

MAY PERFORM CLERICAL NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS OTHER JOB RELATED TASKS.

• Submits recommendations for activity supplies and equipment.
• Maintains activity space, oversee clean up after all activities, maintains equipment/supplies in safe and good working order, inventory supplies and equipment.
• Write reports letters, momos and electronic communication as assigned.
• Maintains records and reports as assigned.
• May deliver mail.

ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN SCHEDULED TRAINING, EDUCATION CLASSES, AND ORIENTATION PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN AND ENHANCE QUALITY OF CARE.

• Attend all required in-service and training programs required within your department.
• Attend any mandatory meeting as required by your center.

PERFORM OTHER RELATED ACTIVITIES AS ASSIGNED OR REQUESTED.

MAINTAIN AND WORK WITHIN ESTABLISHED DEPARTMENTAL, CENTER, AND HOME OFFICE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, OBJECTIVES, QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM, AND SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL AND INFECTION CONTROL STANDARDS.

• Promptly reports any suspected resident abuse, neglect or misappropriation to the DON.

Qualifications Knowledge/skills & Abilities

• High school diploma or GED
• Prior work/life experiences, preferably in a healthcare setting.
• Prior experience preferably with related software applications.

• Must have the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must be able to deal tactfully with team members, other staff, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the general public
• Must be able to plan, organize and conduct a variety of activities
• Must be willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing activities practices.
• Basic computer literacy and skills.
• Must possess an active state driver’s license.
• May be required to possess a CDL license to drive a vehicle seating 16 passengers or more.

Work environment

• May work beyond normal working hours, on weekends and holidays, when necessary.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Field based work required.  Occasional overnight travel will be required as times with field based assignments.   

Physical effort/demands (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Ability to move (sit, stand, bend, lift) intermittently throughout the workday.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, and move a minimum of 50 pounds.

Mental effort/demands (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Ability to function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and ability to work effectively with staff and support agencies.
• In good health and demonstrating emotional stability.
• Ability to cope with the mental and emotional stresses of the position.

Communication (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)

• Must be able to read, write and speak the English language in an understandable manner.

Sensory requirements (With or Without the Aid of Mechanical Devices)    

• Ability to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately to assure that the requirements of this position can be fully met.