activities assistant

POSITION:

The Activity Assistant provides therapeutic activities to residents that are designed to meet the interests and to improve the physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident according to the comprehensive resident assessment and plan of care. Individual resident programs assist the resident to maintain life-long interests and self-esteem while promoting physical, cognitive and emotional functioning. Activities provided are in accordance with facility policies and procedures and consistent with county, state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable.

REPORTING:

This position is responsible to the Activity Director.

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Gathers data from assigned residents to complete and update activity assessments and plans of care. Communicates information to immediate supervisor. Seeks and identifies ways to support resident's individual needs and preferences, customary routines, concerns and choices. Communicates information to immediate supervisor and other caregivers as appropriate

• Carries out individual and group activities that meet the functional levels, needs and interests (including cultural and religious interests) of each resident

• Provides activities to bed-bound residents and other residents confined to their rooms that reflect life-long interests (such as music, reading, visits with people of shared interests and in-room projects) and that are appropriate to the individual's functional abilities and level of participation. Assists residents with these activities as needed

• Adapts activities to match the cognitive and physical functional levels of the residents through the use of task segmentation, verbal prompts, set-up assistance, physical assists and demonstrations

• Assists Activity Director in development of activity calendars. Posts calendar on resident units and distribute to residents

• Monitors physical environment for safety or fire hazards and corrects or reports potential problems immediately to supervisor or charge nurse. Promptly reports housekeeping and maintenance problems to supervisor or charge nurse

• Keeps activity equipment and supplies in the proper storage areas. Maintains activity space in clean and orderly manner that appears "homelike" and is safe for residents, including proper placement of furniture and orderly storage of equipment and supplies in drawers, cupboards, closets, etc. Performs additional tasks as assigned by

Activity Director

• Assists Activity Director with preparation for state and federal inspections. Interacts with long term care state or federal surveyors as instructed by immediate supervisor

• Attends survey training and all required in service education classes. Applies information learned to daily job tasks

• Reports injury to resident or self to supervisor or nursing supervisor immediately

• Records information in resident records according to facility policy and as instructed by supervisor

• Participates in fire and disaster drills. In the event of an emergency carries out assigned duties to assure resident safety

• Assist with social dining program

JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Demonstrates knowledge of, and respect for, the rights, dignity and individuality of each resident in all interactions

• Appreciates the importance of maintaining confidentiality of resident and facility information

• Demonstrates honesty and integrity at all times in the care and use of resident and facility property

• Carries out all duties in accordance with the facility mission and philosophy

• Able to understand and to follow written and verbal directions. Effectively able to communicate with staff members, volunteers and residents through verbal and/or written means

• Able to interact appropriately with individuals who are cognitively and/or physically impaired

• Knowledge of emergency and disaster procedures of facility

• Sufficient mobility, and strength to move freely through the building, to assure resident safety at all times and to assist,