Activity Assistant

SUMMARY: The primary purpose of this job position is to assist in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of recreational, social, intellectual, emotional and spiritual programs, in accordance with the resident’s assessment and care plan, and as may be directed by your supervisors.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing & evaluating the activity programs & quality assurance program in this facility for the Activities Department. Observe resident attendance, mood, behavior, and degree of involvement so that the facility activities & resident progress are evaluated, by noting, reporting and charting resident behavior. Assume the authority, responsibility & accountability of Activity Assistant/Aide. Ensure that all charted activity progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and indicate the resident’s response to the service.
• Develop & maintain a good working rapport with other departments within the facility to assure that daily activities can be performed without interruption. Create & maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.
• Assist in preparing activity rooms/areas for scheduled activity programs. Recommend to your supervisor the equipment and supply needs of the activity department.
• Assist in cleaning up activity areas after completing activity functions.
• Follow the care plan in providing daily activities for resident.
• Purchase department supplies, clothing and personal items for the residents.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information including protected health information & follow facility guidelines in reporting non-compliance with said guidelines & treat residents with dignity at all times.
• Oversee residents engaged in scheduled activities to promote the physical, social, and mental well-being of residents by applying experience in activities and knowledge of diagnoses and conditions of residents.
• Assists in-room residents by visiting with them, writing letters, running errands, and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc., as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Experience in Long Term Care Activities Department is preferred.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition & enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of this position.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must be able to relate to and work with 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.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.