Recreation Director (Activities Director) - SNF Rehab & Healthcare

Activitiy/ Recreation Director

BENEFITS:

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Recreation Director is responsible for planning, implementation, scope, and emphasis of nursing facility activity programs to encourage and stimulate residents to have fuller and richer lives. He/she plans and assists in research projects, as well as supervises the facility’s Recreation Assistants.

RESPONSIBILITIES/ ACCOUNTABILITIES:

1 Plans the recreation program by developing philosophies and policies of the program, writing procedures, goals and objectives for the program, and by establishing an individualized recreation plan based upon each resident’s needs, interests and abilities;

2 Plans programs based on the residents’ needs, interests and abilities, encourages resident involvement in recreation program planning, and posts the monthly schedule of activities;

3 Documents the recreation program and resident’s progress within activities. Maintains records that improve future planning, individualized approach and continual evaluation and revision;

4 Contributes to the development of the resident care plan, maintains adequate records on volunteers, and complies with government standards for documentation;

5 Implements a meaningful recreation program for all residents, (including the room-bound) that includes implementation of creative, intellectual, physical, service, social and spiritual programs each week that provide opportunities for participation in community activities and opportunities for residents to be of service for others;

6 Provides resources for the special interests of residents, whenever possible, as well as, materials for independent activity. While a schedule of a variety of group activities is important, flexibility in the program for spontaneous activities is also necessary;

7 Evaluates the effectiveness of the recreation program in terms of enhancing the quality of the resident’s life, based on goals and performance objectives of the program, and evaluations from residents, families, staff, volunteers, resource people, administration and consultants. Evaluations should be done quantitatively and qualitatively because the activity program is revised based on the results of the evaluations;

8 Works efficiently and cooperatively with the administration and staff by contributing to the orientation of new staff, by participating as a team member, by interpreting goals and methods of the recreation program to all staff, and by communicating information regarding the health and welfare of residents to staff;

9 Participates in various facility committees, plans activities to avoid conflict with treatment plans, and accepts and delegates responsibility;

10 Maintains cooperative relationships with members of the residents’ families by orienting family members to recreation programs, by encouraging families to participate in the volunteer and activity program, and by encouraging families to evaluate and make suggestions for the recreation program;

11 Remains actively involved with the community, and endeavors to educate community members to the worth of the individuals who reside in the facility, the worth of those who work there, and the value of the facility and its role as a part of the total community. Also utilizes community resources in the programs and encourages community organizations to include residents in their events;

12 Concerns his/herself with the safety of all facility residents in order to minimize the potential for fire and accidents. Also, ensures that the facility adheres to the legal, safety, health, fire and sanitation codes by being familiar with his/her role in carrying out the facility’s fire, safety and disaster plans and by being familiar with current MSDS;

13 Prepares the yearly budget for the recreation department;

14 Establishes and maintains an effective volunteer program through recruiting, screening, orienting, training, supervising and evaluating volunteers. The Recreation Director must then match the skills and interests of volunteers with the skills and interests of the residents. Incentives and recognition are to be established for volunteers by the Director;

15 Accepts professional obligations and commitments to professional development, by actively supporting local, state and national organizations for the Recreation/Activity Coordinator, participating in basic and continuing education through professional organizations and educational institutions, keeping abreast of Federal, State and local requirements regarding activity programming, as well as current developments in long term health care, and by identifying and correcting deficiencies in knowledge and skills;

16 Acts as a resource person to staff, other Recreation/Activity Coordinators and community organizations while demonstrating a positive and objective approach to observations and action;

17 Maintains confidentiality when dealing with residents, their families and records, demonstrate a knowledge of rights and concerns for the welfare of all residents in the facility, and effectively communicates with individuals and groups by establishing regular written communication through the use of a newsletter format to the community;

18 Ensures that residents and families receive the highest quality of service in a caring and compassionate atmosphere which recognizes the individuals’ needs and rights;

19 Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATIONAL/ VOCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

1 High school degree or equivalent.

2 Certification in accordance with New Jersey regulations.

3 Associate degree in recreation is preferred.

JOB SKILLS:

1 Effective communicator with excellent verbal and written skills.

2 Well-developed organizational abilities.

3 Ability to monitor or oversee multiple projects.

4 Perform record keeping and documentation as necessary.

5 Awareness of governmental regulations pertaining to department.

6 Provide annual verification of a negative TB skin test.

PERFORMS RELATED DUTIES:

1 Interacts with residents, families, visitors and employees.

2 Carries out other tasks as requested in situations where hands-on intervention/participation may be required.