Activities Director for Dementia Unit

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Activities Director

Department: Activities

Reports to: Administrator

Summary:

Plan, organize, and direct a program of activities, which provides opportunity for entertainment, exercise, relaxation and expression, while fulfilling basic psychological, social, and spiritual needs, which will be available to all residents of the facility. Assists the physically, emotionally, and cognitively impaired resident and family to explore appropriate avocation/leisure pursuits.

Environment:

Work will be performed primarily indoors at a long-term healthcare facility, throughout all areas, including in resident rooms, and on carpeted and/or tiled floors. Work will also be performed routinely around other co-workers, healthcare staff, residents, and guests. Due to the nature of facility’s business, worker may be exposed to occasional slippery floors, object on floors, chemicals, sharp objects, hazardous materials and waste (including human), blood borne pathogens, and communicable diseases, as well as high-stress medical and/or life threatening situations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Meet physical and sensory requirements stated below, and be able to work in the described environment.
• Identify and participate in process improvement initiatives that improve the customer experience, enhance work flow, and/or improve the work environment.
• Management duties including, but not limited to, hiring, training and developing, coaching and counseling, and terminating department staff as deemed necessary.
• Ensure that all employment practices are administered fairly and without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Develop, organize, and implement a program of activities to meet the social, emotional, physical and other therapeutic needs of residents as identified on the residents’ plan of care and within the specified budget.
• Initiate and promote activities both within the facility and outside the facility, as weather permits, insuring the safety and well being of each resident at all times.
• Coordinate and verify that assistance is provided to residents for activities and events as necessary.
• Provide in room activities for residents who are unable to attend daily events.
• Create an ongoing calendar of activities, which creatively meets multiple needs and is accessible and appealing to both men and women of all ages and abilities.
• Consistently maintain standards for activity scheduling and documentation established by policies and regulatory requirements.
• Solicit the involvement of the community (clubs, groups, organizations, agencies, churches, individuals, etc.) when planning facility activities and events.
• Plan, organize and direct Activity Department fund raising events.
• Maintain detailed records of activity programs and participation of individual residents, identifying progress toward established care plan goals.
• Participate in resident care planning by identifying the activity needs of residents in accordance with the medical assessment.
• Develop and distribute a monthly calendar of events. Provide a copy of the calendar in each resident’s room and at least one large calendar prominently displayed in the facility.
• Maintain a pictorial scrapbook of activities and events sponsored by the facility during the year.
• Develop and maintain an active volunteer program through marketing, development, support, and organization. Encourage participation by residents, family members, staff, visitors, community groups and individuals. Assign and train volunteers and maintain documentation of volunteer hours. Reward volunteers for service annually and at other special events.
• Train groups of volunteers and students in techniques of recreational therapy.
• Prepare progress notes for medical staff reflecting residents’ reactions and evidence of progress or regression.
• Maintain all activity related records required by regulations and Medical Records – activity assessments, progress notes, and discharge summary.
• Assist the residents with organizing and maintaining active Resident Council.
• Provide accommodation, assistance, scheduling, and other means to assure that residents have the opportunity to meet a minimum of one time per month.
• Channel feedback from Resident council to the appropriate facility personnel to insure that resident issues are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner.
• Document minutes of Resident Council meetings as well as follow-up to any concerns expressed at the meeting.

Attend in-service education programs in order to meet facility educational requirements. Other special projects and duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:

Degree and certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist; or

Certified Activity Director by the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals; or

Two (2) years experience in a social or recreational program within the past five (5) years, in which one (1) year was full time in a resident activities program in a health care setting; or

Prior completion of a state approved training course.

One (1) to two (2) years management/supervisory experience.

Effective verbal and written English communication skills.

Excellent creative and communication skills.

Skill at working with individuals who have cognitive, physical or sensory disabilities.

Practical knowledge of how an Activity Department functions in a nursing facility.

General knowledge of regulatory requirements for an activity program in a long-term care facility.

Outstanding interpersonal skills with high level of energy and enthusiasm.

Experience in working with volunteers and ability to organize and develop volunteer program.

Highest level of professionalism with the ability to maintain confidentiality.

Ability to communicate at all levels of organization and work well within a team environment in support of company objectives.

Customer service oriented with the ability to work well under pressure.

Strong attention to detail and accuracy, excellent organizational skills with ability to prioritize, coordinate and simultaneously maintain multiple projects with high level of quality and productivity.

Strong analytical and problem solving skills.

Ability to work with minimal supervision, take initiative and make independent decisions.

Ability to deal with new tasks without the benefit of written procedures.

Approachable, flexible and adaptable to change.

Function independently, and have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with employees and vendors.

Physical and Sensory Requirements:

• Moderate physical activity:
• Requires handling of average-weight objects up to twenty five (25) pounds.
• Repetitive standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.
• Repetitive bending and/or stooping for more than one (1) hour at a time.
• Sitting for more than two (2) hours at a time.
• May require consistent computer work with repetitive typing and concentrating on computer screen.
• Physical ability to travel to sites.

I understand this job description and its requirements; and that I am expected to complete all duties as instructed and assigned. I understand the job functions may be altered from time to time. Management reserves the right to modify this job description at any time.

I further understand this description identifies the essential and primary duties and responsibilities of the job, and that it is not intended to detail or contain each and every duty inherent in this job.