Activities Assistant

NEW Assisted Living and Memory Care looking for a passionate, driven, and enthusiastic Activities Assistant

POSITION SUMMARY

The Activities Assistant is responsible for providing a therapeutic, practical, and fun program to facility residents. This person must convey a positive image of the facility and have a genuine, caring interest in working with elderly people. The Activity Assistant should offer opportunities for social care and enrichment by providing interaction in the facility, community, and developing a program that promotes resident’s independence and a sense of self-direction. The purpose of the Activity Assistant is to stimulate the mind and help to keep dementia at bay as long as possible. The Activity Director must, within their area of focus, ensure compliance with Twin Oaks Senior Living standards as well as with State and Federal regulations. This individual must be highly organized, possess outstanding interpersonal skills, and display a high level of energy and enthusiasm. The Activity

Assistant works closely with the Executive Director/Assistant Executive Director to insure operational performance, quality of service, and competitiveness with other facilities. The Activity Assistant must be a firm decision-maker, while also considering the impact of that decision on the overall organization.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The Activities Assistant reports to the Executive Director/Assistant Executive Director and is responsible for carrying out the primary duties as outlined by the Executive Director. Building a friendship with the residents can be very rewarding and helps them to feel safe with you. If you enjoy your job, then the residents will feel that and enjoy the time they spend with you and look forward to that time. These essential functions include, but are not limited to:

• Demonstrate positive interpersonal relations in dealing with employees, residents, residents’ families, visitors, and coworkers in a professional and confidential manner.

• Initiate and participate in quality assurance and quality improvement activities based on the four components; resident satisfaction, employee satisfaction, process/system refinement, and financial impact.

• Demonstrate the ability to embrace and project the values of the facility: compassion, positivity, respectful communication, responsibility, trust, community, safety, respect, teamwork, partnership, service, integrity, efficiency, and financial responsibility.

• DUTIES

• The Activities Assistant is expected to perform position-related duties that include, but aren’t limited to:

Program

* Provide socialization through group discussion, conversation, recreation, visiting, arts and crafts, music, and care of pets. * Provide daily living activities to foster and maintain independent functioning. * Provide physical activities such as games, sports, and exercises, which develop and maintain strength, coordination, and range of motion. * Provide education through special classes or activities. * Provide mind-stimulating activities such as recalling things from their childhood, reminiscence, and puzzles (word search, Sudoku, crosswords). * Provide leisure time, so residents may engage in activities of their own choosing. * Encourage physical abilities through exercise programs and gardening. * Utilize community resources to promote resident participation in activities both in and away from the facility. * Organize and oversee the bus rides and other excursions. * Offer attendance at a place of worship of the residents' choice. * Develop monthly schedule and post activities calendars monthly based on resident needs and interests. The new month's calendar will be posted before the first of that month. Information on community activities will also be made available to residents.

Residents, Staff and Others

* Coordinate all recreational activities including volunteer and auxiliary activities. * Encourage residents to participate in planned and non-planned activities. * Purchase materials for activities. Keep within the activity budget and accurately record where the funds have been spent. * Remind staff of upcoming events, birthdays, volunteers, etc. * Delegate and follow up with staff. * Encourage resident participation in planning, organizing, and conducting the residents’ activity program, possibly implementing a resident council. * The resident council may be an informal organized entity. Staff or residents may suggest topics. * Participate in resident care planning by identifying the activity needs of residents in accordance with medical assessments, working with other professionals as necessary. * Get to know the residents so you can talk with them and they know you care. This is the secret to getting them to participate in activities with you.

Equipment and Supplies

* Provide sufficient indoor and outdoor equipment and supplies to meet the recreational needs and interests of the residents.

Activities

* Check the activity calendar and plan activities into the day. * Implement activities for the social, emotional, physical, and other therapeutic needs of the residents. * Identify residents that may be at a risk for social isolation and implement plan to assure their individual social well-being. * Conduct resident activity histories and assessments upon resident entry as required by state and federal standards.

Regulatory and Legal

* Comply with facility’s policies and procedures and recommend changes as necessary. * Bring the attention of the Executive Director/Assistant Executive Director to any deficiencies that may arise. * Ensure compliance to policies relating to work site safely, blood-borne pathogens, hazard communication, and infection control. * Ensure compliance with respect to risk management; death, the dying and the aging process; fire safety; disaster preparedness; residents’ rights; and grievance procedures.

Holidays

* Plan all holiday activities and parties, including advertising. Holidays include: Valentine’s Day, Easter, Memorial Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Summer barbeque, Halloween, Christmas, and others as assigned. * Work together with Administration to plan family oriented events including seasonal buffets for friends and family members of residents.

Other

* Develop skills and education through other higher educational and/or continuing education opportunities. * Annual continuing education requirements shall be as determined by State regulations or as required by the Executive Director/Assistant Executive Director. * Assist Administration/Marketing with regularly updating social media content and preparing press releases for notable events within the community. * Complete full orientation upon hire. * Attend staff meetings as required. * Participate in quality assurance and safety programs and meetings for the community.

POSITION SPECIFICATIONS

Essential Qualifications

Education/Certification

* High School diploma or equivalent. * Employee Health Evaluation. * No previous felony conviction, or conviction for fraud of the federal government. * CPR certified and first aid certification. * Criminal background check (BCI). * TB test. * Food Handlers Permit. * 18+ years of age.

Skills/Abilities

* Knowledge of how to develop a monthly calendar. * Knowledge of how to identify the needs and interests of the residents. * Knowledge of how to design diversified activities programs. * Capacity to work effectively with different types of people. * Ability to work efficiently and professionally under pressure with time constraints. * Ability to calmly handle stressful situations. * Demonstrate organizational capabilities. * Work within a budget.

Preferred Qualifications

* Prior experience in activities and program planning.

POSITION ENVIRONMENT

This position requires the ability to work under time pressures. Physical demands include sitting, standing, bending, reaching, light lifting and walking. Standing, for long periods of time (up to 2-4 hours per day) may be required. Lifting, on an occasional basis (up to twenty-five pounds) may be required. This position requires a full range of body motion including manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination. The position also requires hearing to normal range and corrected vision. Occasional stress related to a fast-paced environment is also anticipated.

• Be cheerful and helpful so it is a pleasure for others to participate.

  • Communicate accurate and pertinent information to facilitate effective and efficient resident care.
  • Apply problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
  • Maintain awareness of governmental, societal, legal, environmental, and competitive factors that affect the facility.
  • Work to establish a group culture to enable Twin Oaks Senior Living to function as a whole.

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