ACTIVITY ASSISTANT OVERVIEW:

The primary purpose of your 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.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
• Must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to provide care appropriate to the age-related needs of the residents served.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies/personnel and the general public.
• Must possess leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
• Must have patience, tact, cheerful disposition and enthusiasm, as well as be willing to handle residents based on whatever maturity level at which they are currently functioning.
• Must possess the ability to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporate them into existing activity services.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Works in office areas as well as throughout the facility.
• Moves intermittently during working hours.
• Is subject to frequent interruptions.
• Is involved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel, etc., under all conditions and circumstances.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing service, and other department directors.
• Works beyond normal working hours, on weekends, and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.
• Is subject to call back during emergency conditions (e.g., severe weather, evacuation, post-disaster, etc.).
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION CRITERIA:

• Assists in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the activity programs of this facility.
• Observes resident attendance, mood, behavior, and degree of involvement so that facility programs and resident attendance of each program are evaluated by noting, reporting, and charting resident behavior.
• Participates in discharge planning, development and implementation of activity care plans and resident assessments.
• Interviews residents or family members to obtain activity information.
• Involves the resident/family in planning activity programs when possible.
• Involves the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident.
• Assists in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for the activity department.
• Ensures that all charted activity progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and indicate the resident’s response to the service.
• Performs administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Activity Director as required.
• Complies with electronic activity documentation of resident attendance and participation in Electronic Health Record.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Must possess, as a minimum, a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• None required. On-the-job training provided.

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS (WITH OR WITHOUT THE AID OF MECHANICAL DEVICES):

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Must be able to speak and write the English language in an understandable manner.
• Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Must function independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
• Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which include a medical and physical examination.
• 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.