Activity Assistant - Southern Oaks Care Center

Primary Purpose of this Position

The primary purpose of this position is to assist with the operations of the activities department in accordance with current federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations, established facility policies and procedures and as directed by the Activity Director.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies as necessary or as directed.
• Ensure that activity progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and indicate the resident’s response to the service.
• Perform administrative requirements such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Activity Director as required.

Committee Functions

Serve on, participate in and attend various committees of the facility as appointed.

Activity Functions

• Facilitate activities as directed by the Activity Director(i.e., setting up necessary equipment and sup-plies, escorting residents to and from activities area and providing instruction).
• Supervise and assist residents engaged in scheduled activities as necessary.
• Make routine visits to in-room residents and assist them by writing letters, running errands, making appointments and providing assistance with crafts, projects, etc., as necessary.
• Observe and document resident attendance, mood, behavior and degree of involvement in facility activities.
• Interview residents or family members to obtain activities information.
• Involve the resident/family in planning activity programs when possible.
• Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of Activity Assistant.
• Coordinate activities with other departments as necessary.
• Assist in making appointments for the resident as requested.
• Assist in scheduling movies, planning parties and providing games/activities for residents.
• Assist with arranging transportation for activities trips when necessary.

Duties and Responsibilities

Others as deemed necessary and appropriate or as directed by the Activity Director.

Care Plan and Assessment Functions

• Assist in developing activities-related interventions in resident care plans as appropriate.
• Encourage the resident/family to participate in the development and review of his/her plan of care.
• Follow the care plan in providing daily activities for the resident.

Personnel Functions

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with other departments within the facility to assure that daily activities can be performed without interruption.
• Assist in developing volunteer activities assignments.

Safety and Sanitation Functions

• Report all incidents/accidents immediately.
• Report all unsafe/hazardous conditions/equipment immediately.
• Follow all established safety and ergonomics policies and procedures.
• Participate in Life Safety Code and emergency preparedness and response drills.
• Follow facility infection prevention and control practices at all times.
• Report missing/illegible labels and safety data sheets (SDSs) to your supervisor.
• Assist in preparing activities rooms/areas for scheduled activity programs.
• Assist in cleaning up activities areas after completing activity functions.

Equipment and Supply Functions

• Recommend to your supervisor the equipment and supply needs of the activities department.
• Operate activities equipment safely and efficiently.
• Assist in the moving/arranging of equipment/supplies to assure that activities areas are ready for scheduled activity functions.

Budget and Planning Functions

• Assist in the development of the department’s budget.
• Purchase department supplies as directed.

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.
• Is subject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, etc.
• Communicates with the medical staff, nursing services 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 education programs.
• Is subject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout the day as well as to reactions from dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke and other air contaminants.
• Is subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc., including TB and the AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Maintains a liaison with other department supervisors to adequately plan for resident activities.
• May be subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Education

• Must possess, as a minimum, two (2) year(s)of college. Degree preferred but not necessary.
• Must be a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who is licensed or certified by the state.

Experience

• Must have, as a minimum, two (2) year(s)experience in a social or recreation program within the last five (5) years, one (1) of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or
• Must be a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or
• Must have completed a training course approved by the state.

Specific Requirements

• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must be knowledgeable of regulations governing activities services in nursing care facilities.
• 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 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 and supervise 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 activities services.
• Must be a member in good standing in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW).
• 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.

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.

Job Position Analysis Information

(1) Risk Exposure to Blood/Body Fluids Column:

A check mark entered into this column indicates the risk potential of your exposure to blood or body fluids. Established procedures identify the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) that you should use when performing this task.

(2) Essential Functions Column:

A check mark entered into this column indicates that you may be required to perform this task.

(3) Safety Factors Column:

RM = Repetitive Motion:

A “RM” in this column indicates that it will be necessary for you to perform some functions of this task repeatedly. When such tasks are not performed properly injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used.

WL = Minimum Weight Lifting Requirement:

A “WL” in this column indicates that it will be necessary for you to perform functions of this task that require some lifting, moving, pushing or pulling. When such tasks are not performed properly injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used when performing this task. Minimumweight lifting requirements that you must perform are located in the “Physical and Sensory Requirements” section of this job description.

SB = Prolonged Sitting, Standing and Bending:

A “SB” in this column indicates that some functions of this task require you to sit, stand or bend for an extended period of time. When such tasks are not performed properly injury can result. Established procedures identify the precautions and/or equipment that should be used when performing this task.