Description:

• To carry out activities under the direction of the Activity Director in accordance with current Federal, State and local standards, guidelines and regulations; the facility policies and procedures; and as directed by the Administrator.
• Ensure that an on-going program of activities is meeting residents needs, in accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interest and the physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

Requirements:

• Plan, develop, organize, and implement the activity program of this facility.
• Assist in the development, administering and coordinating of department policies and procedures related to the activity department.
• Keep abreast of current Federal and State regulations, as well as professional standards, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Administrator as needed.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for the identification of medically related activity needs of the resident.
• Participate in community planning related to the interest of the facility and the services and needs of the residents and families.
• Participate in resident assessments and the development and implementation of Resident specific care plans.
• Interview resident and/or families as needed in a private setting.
• Interview residents and/or families to obtain activity information.
• Submit forms and reports to the Administrator as required.
• Involve residents and/or families in planning facility activities.
• Assume the authority, responsibility and accountability of directing the activity department.
• Ensure understanding of and compliance with all policies, procedures, rules, regulations regarding resident rights to include assisting the residents in exercising their rights.
• Develop positive relationships on behalf of the facility with government regulators, facilities, health care and the community at large.
• Understand and follow fire, safety, sanitation, blood-borne pathogen rules and hazard communication program.
• Attend and provide in-service as indicated.
• Coordinate activities with other departments as necessary.
• Keep abreast of current economic conditions/situations and recommend to the Administrator adjustments in activity programs that assure the continued ability to provide.
• Assist the Q.A. Committee in developing appropriate plans of action to correct identified deficiencies.
• Participate in facility surveys (inspections) made by authorized government agencies.
• Prevents abuse, neglect and exploitation in the elderly.
• Promote a safe, clean environment in which the residents may live.
• Become a participating facility team member with the residents as first priority.
• Understand and follow all rules and regulations regarding Residents\xe2\x80\x99 Rights.
• Ensure that all charged activity progress notes are informative and descriptive of services provided and of the resident\xe2\x80\x99s response to the service.
• Involve the resident and/or family in planning objectives and goals for the residents.
• Meet with administration and other department heads in planning activity programs.
• Serve on committees as may be required or directed by the Administrator.
• Maintain current financial records for the activity department of all expenditures and submit an accounting to the Administrator on a monthly basis.
• Participate in resident group council meetings as requested and provide support services to said council.
• Encourage residents to participate in games, activities, crafts and hobbies and provide materials as needed.
• Develop and maintain an activities calendar.
• Provide activities for all residents.
• All other duties, as directed by the Administrator.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Hold/handle
• Lift
• Carry
• Climb
• Reach \xe2\x80\x93 at and below shoulder height
• Push/pull
• Grasp and handle \xe2\x80\x93 pens, paperwork and small equipment
• Sit, stand and walk
• Twist, bend, stoop, kneel and squat
• Fine hand motor coordination
• Ability to read and write legibly
• Ability to give and follow instructions

COGNITIVE AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS: Talking: Communicating with residents, families, visitors and staff Hearing: To communicate on the phone effectively Taking instructions from the Administrator To respond to resident complaints and requests To respond appropriately to disaster instructions and pages Sight: For performing job effectively and correctly Smell: For accurate detection and maintenance of facility odors LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS: Must be a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who is licensed by the State and is eligible for certification as a recreation specialist or as an activities professional, OR, Must have a minimum two years experience in a social or recreation program within the last five years, one of which was full time in a patient activities program in a health care setting. SUMMARY OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE: Tasks and procedures performed by the employee involve risks classified by C.D.C. as Category III. (No contact with blood or other bodily fluids to which universal precautions apply, if regular duties are performed.) Other Considerations and Requirements: Must be able to tolerate a high pace as typical for a nursing facility. Must be able to take and give instructions well and enjoy working with the elderly. Although employee is required to sit for prolonged periods of time, he/she must also be able to tolerate prolonged standing and walking.