Activity Director

Job Summary

 The Director of Activities delivers a quality of activities that is designed to meet the needs of the individuals and groups, and functions as a team member of the multidisciplinary team. The Director of activities also provides assistance to other departments if needed and available.

Education

A high school diploma is required. Must be able to communicate well verbally and in writing.

Qualifications

1.          Must be a qualified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist who is:

   A) licensed or registered, if applicable by the state in which practicing; and

          B) eligible for certification as a Therapeutic Recreation Specialist by a

              recognized accrediting body on August 1, 1989; or

          C) has two years of experience in a social or recreational program within

               the last five years, one of which was full-time in a patient activities

               program in a health care setting; or

          D) is a qualified Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy Assistant or

          E) has completed a training course by the State.

 Responsibilities

Restoring self- confidence, community reintegration, skill, improving physical condition, leisure education for residents, one-one programming for the room/bedbound, providing mental stimulation, and developing a plan for each resident that is designed for restoration of the quality of life experienced by the resident prior to admittance to the health care facility.

1.    Completes an interest Survey/Initial Assessment on all residents within seven days of admission,    prior to care plan conference. Make an introductory visit to residents within 48 hours of admission.

Based on information as a result of the Interest Survey/ Initial Assessment identifies problems, needs of the residents, and develops an activity plan designed to meet the individual needs of the residents.

2.       Participates in patient care plan conferences as scheduled by the Director of Nursing.

3.       Is familiar with Federal and State regulations regarding activity programming for long term care facilities and functions accordingly. Participating in survey exits and assisting in responding to the survey when appropriate.

4.        Has a working knowledge of Resident’s Rights and is an advocate for the resident.

5.       Is responsible for completion of all documentation required by the activity Department, in a timely and professional manner.

6.       Communicates with all department heads to ensure full implementation and understanding of the activity program.

7.       Is responsible for orienting all activity personnel to the facility’s policies and procedures.

8.       Provides training, supervision, and evaluation of all activity personnel.

9.       Keeps confidential all information about the residents' personal and clinical records.

10.   Presents at least two in-services annually, designed to educate/support staff in the facility's purpose and role.

11.   Evaluates the resident’s response to the activity plan as indicated.

12.   Provides assistance to the Resident Council as requested.

13.   Develops an ongoing program of meaningful activities, designed to meet the needs and interests of each resident, and is responsible for the implementation of programs.

14.   Keeps a current list of precautions noted on all residents available for reference in the activities office.

15.   Participates in community –oriented projects, and special marketing projects.

16.   Schedules all presentations of visiting groups and coordinates interdepartmental communications regarding special events.

17.   Coordinates and supervises the activity volunteer program. Recruits, trains, and orients volunteers.

18.   Plans, coordinates, and supervises the activity funds within the budget and keeps accurate records, money spent, and resident input into spending of funds.

19.   Transports residents on community outings.

20.   Adapts activities to meet resident capabilities.

21.   Is willing to work flexible hours to meet patient needs (some evenings and weekends).

22.   Performs cognitive orientation that may be related to impairment of daily living functions:

-          Orient to person, place, or time.

-          Reality orientation.

-          Memory recall, long and short term

23.   Maintains confidentiality, adhering to established policies on confidentiality regarding residents, employees, and family members.

24.   Attends required staff in-services, orientation, and continuing education activities as required.

25.   Is aware of fire and disaster plans and is prepared to function accordingly.

26.   Is aware of procedures directly related to patient care (infection control, record keeping and terminology).

27.   Aware of chain of command, and functions within role as a professional.

28.   Maintains acceptable degree of organization of activity supplies and keeps inventory of supplies and usage.

29.    Uses time management and supervises the time of Activity personnel.

30.    Coordinates fundraisers for the Activity Department.

31.    Produces monthly newsletter.

Physical Demands

Use the percentages range as follows;

          0%   Never

1 -    33%   Occasional

34 - 66% Frequent

67 - 100% Continuous

Requires full range of body motion including:

1.      Standing/Walking: Frequently:   Worker will be spending considerable time up and about in the facility doing various tasks as per job description.

2.      Bending/Stooping: Frequently:   Worker will be bending and stooping to work with supplies, preparation of documents, filing, working with clinical records.

3.      Lift/Handling:   Occasionally: Worker will lifting/handling supplies to do inventory restock, order, etc. as well as filing, auditing of records, etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.

4.      Carrying:  Occasionally:  Worker will be carrying clinical records, manuals, supplies, etc. Range of weight 1-50 pounds.

5.      Push/Pull:  Occasionally:   Worker will be pushing/pulling on various supplies storing, moving and inventory of supplies, as well as with clinical records, filling, auditing,  preparing for each month etc. Range of weight: 1-50 pounds.  

6.      Balancing: Frequently.  Worker will be balancing when assisting residents to transfer or transport, giving medication, doing treatment, providing care, etc.

7.      Twisting/Turning:     Frequently.  Worker will be twisting or turning when providing medication and treatment systems, when assisting residents to transfer or transport, assisting staff to provide for Activities or Daily Living.

8.      Crouching/Stooping: Frequently. Worker will be crouching and stooping when providing medication and treatment systems, when assisting staff to provide for A.D.L.s, gather equipment, provide care for the residents, etc.

9.      Kneeling:                  Occasionally. Worker will be kneeling when providing medication and treatment systems, when assisting residents to do A.D.L.s, etc.

10.  Reaching:              Worker will be reaching when providing medication and treatment systems, when assisting residents to do A.D.L.s, gathering equipment, providing care for the residents, etc.

A.      Greater than shoulder height: Occasionally

B.      Equal to shoulder height:         Occasionally

C.      Less than shoulder height:       Frequently

11.  Handling/Manual     Continuously.  Both fine and gross motor skills are needed for all tasks throughout the working day.

12.  Speaking/Hearing:    Continuously.  Must communicate with residents, co-workers, families, visitors and physicians continuously throughout tour of duty.

JOB LOCATION   Must work throughout the nursing areas of the facility, May require working irregular hours and may be exposed to comm