Life Enrichment Coordinator

JOB DESCRIPTON

JOB TITLE: ACTIVITY COODRINATOR

JOB SUMMARY:

The primary purpose of your job position is to assist in planning, implementation, and evaluation of recreational, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual programs, in accordance with the residents assessment and care plan, and as may be directed by your supervisors.

DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY:

As Activity Coordinator you are delegated the administrative authority, responsibility and accountability necessary for carrying out your assigned duties.

JOB FUNCTIONS:

Every effort has been made to identify the essential functions of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, or is a logical assignment to the position.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Functions:

• Assist in planning, developing, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the activity programs of this facility.
• Observe resident attendance, mood, behavior, and degree of involvement so that facility activities and resident progress are evaluated, by noting, reporting, and charting resident behavior.
• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family.
• Interview resident/family as necessary in a private setting.
• Involve the resident/family in planning activity programs when possible.
• Assist in arranging transportation to other facilities when necessary
• Refer resident/families to appropriate social service personnel when the facility does not provide the services or needs of the resident.
• Provide consultation to members of our staff, community agencies, etc., in efforts to solve the needs and problems of the resident through the development of activity programs.
• Assist in the review and update of departmental job descriptions at least annually.
• Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability of Activity Coordinator.
• Coordinate activities with other departments as necessary.
• Work with the facilitys consultants as necessary and implement recommended changes as directed by Activity Director.
• Keep abreast of economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Activity Director adjustments in activity programs that assure the continued ability to provide daily activities.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining an ongoing quality assurance program for the activity department.
• Participate in surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Interview residents or family members to obtain activity information.
• Assure that all activity progress notes charted are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the residents response to the service.
• Involve the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident.
• Meet with the administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning activity programs.
• Arrange transportation for field trips when necessary.
• Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Activity Director and/or Administrator.
• Chart progress of residents on a quarterly basis.
• Maintain daily activity attendance of residents.
• Help plan special programs and entertainment.
• Form and lead small groups.
• Must have available transportation to pick up supplies.
• Must have a flexible work schedule (evenings and weekends)
• Ensure that all charted activity progress notes are informative ad descriptive of the services provided and indicate the residents response to the service.
• File incident reports in accordance with established policies.
• Type letters, reports, statements, minutes of meetings, agendas, etc. as necessary/directed.
• Maintain files and other records as directed.
• Perform unscheduled administrative tasks as directed.
• Report complaints and grievances to the Activity Director as necessary.
• Assist in volunteer programs and recognition parties.
• Help organize motivation and validation programs for room-bound residents.
• Maintain daily activity attendance records.
• Become familiar with the MDS and RAP process.
• Help plan special programs and entertainment.
• Supervise and maintain care of facility pet.
• Provide in-services to staff as determined necessary by Activity Director.
• Complete newsletter monthly (typed and sent out by 1^st of each month)
• Calendar completed and distributed no later than the 3^rd of each month.
• Compile information for activity attendance and report to Activity Director monthly.
• Coordinate birthday party (i.e. call at beginning of year and schedule volunteers for each month, etc.).
• Make sure cats to vet; shots updated annually or as needed.
• Performs clerical work including Resident Council minutes, complaint forms sent to appropriate department heads, activity meeting minutes, correspondence and any other related material assigned.
• Create and update Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
• Maintain, properly file and post Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
• Educate personnel of new and updated Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS).
• Attend weekly Care Conferences and ensure Care Plans include the wants and needs with Resident Rights.

Committee Functions:

• Serve on, participate in, and attend various committees of the facility, (i.e., Infection Control, Policy Advisory, Budget, Quality Assessment and Assurance, etc.,) as required, and as appointed
• Provide written and/or oral reports of the program and activities as required, or as may be directed by such committee(s).
• Assist the Activity Director in evaluating and implementing recommendations from established committees as they may pertain to activity services.
• Attend weekly staff meetings to assist in identifying and correcting problem areas, and/or the improvement of services.

Personnel Functions:

• Develop and maintain a good working rapport with the other departments within the facility to assure that daily activities can be performed without interruption.
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest, and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials and hazardous chemicals to your supervisor.

Staff Development:

• Assist in development of and participate in regularly scheduled orientation and in-service training programs that relate to the activity department.
• Attend and participate in professional activities and programs.
• Participate and assist in departmental studies and projects as assigned, or that may become necessary.
• Attend and participate in appropriate in-service training programs prior to performing tasks that may result in exposure to blood, body fluids, infectious materials or hazardous chemicals.
• Attend and participate in annual OSHA and CDC in-service training programs fro hazardous communication, TB management, and blood borne pathogens standard.

Safety and Sanitation:

• Report all incidents/accidents immediately.
• Report all unsafe/hazardous conditions/equipment immediately.
• Follow established ergonomics policies and procedures (i.e. a back brace and/or mechanical lifter is used when lifting or moving heavy objects).
• Participate in fire safety and disaster preparedness drills.
• Use protective clothing/devices when handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.
• Report missing/illegible labels and MSS to your supervisor.
• Assist in preparing activity rooms/areas for scheduled activity programs.
• Assist in cleaning up activity areas after completing activity functions.

Equipment and Supply Functions:

• Recommend to your supervisor the equipment and supply needs of the activity department
• Operate activity equipment in a safe manner.
• Use activity supplies in an efficient manner to avoid waste.
• Assist in moving/arranging of equipment/supplies to assure that activity areas are ready for scheduled activity functions.

Residents Rights:

• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Knock before entering a residents room.

Miscellaneous:

• Implement activity procedures as directed by the Activity Director by creating decorations, setting up necessary equipment, creating ceramics, needlework, woodwork, and other crafts, escorting residents to and from activity area and awarding prizes.
• Assist in scheduling movies, planning parties, and providing games/activities for residents.
• Encourage residents to participate in hobbies and crafts. Provide materials as necessary.
• Supervise activities as necessary.
• Assist in developing and maintaining an activity schedule.
• Provide reading materials in Braille, tapes, and records as necessary.
• Assist in providing library service for residents through cooperation with the local library.
• Make routine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc., as necessary.
• Assist bed residents by visiting with them, assisting in voting, writing letters, running errands, bringing in supplies and items to occupy their time as necessary.
• Encourage residents to develop their educational development through reading, etc.
• Assist with planning and organizing articles to be sold at Bazaar.
• Oversee the residents engaged in scheduled activities to promote the physical, social, and mental well-being of residents by applying experience in activities and knowledge of diagnoses and conditions of residents.
• Others as deemed necessary and appropriate, or as may be directed by the Activity Director.

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 service, and other department supervisors.
• 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.
• 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.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND EDUCATION REQUIRED:

Must possess some college or 3 years experience working with elderly. At least 3 years experience in activities, working with the elderly and have some college in related fields.

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 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 activity services.
• Must be able to relate information concerning a residents 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 work day.
• 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 50 pounds and be able to push, pull, move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 75 feet.
• May be necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergency situations.