Activities Assistant AL

PruittHealth•Marietta, GA

10d

About The Position

The Activities Assistant helps plan, implement, and evaluate recreational, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual programs in accordance with each patient’s assessment and care plan and as directed by the Supervisor. The role assesses residents’ needs and interests, develops individualized recreation programs, and works with the interdisciplinary team to incorporate activity interventions into residents’ plans of care. It provides inclusive group and individual activities, including programs adapted for residents with cognitive impairments or those confined to their rooms. The position also maintains clinical documentation, supports quality assurance and regulatory compliance, helps develop Recreation Services policies and staffing plans, and communicates with the Nursing Home Administrator about resident care, personnel, and budget matters.

Requirements

At least two years of college education, including courses in recreation, education, social work, other behavioral sciences, or clinical services.
Two years of experience in a social or recreational program within the past five years.
One year of full-time employment in a patient/resident activities program in a health care setting.

Responsibilities

Assess residents by gathering information from residents, interested family members, legal representatives, and significant others to develop individualized recreation programs suited to their functional levels, needs, and interests.
Update residents’ recreation programs to accommodate individual needs and preferences and to protect and promote residents’ rights.
Work with interdisciplinary team members to develop, implement, and evaluate plans of care; attend care conferences; develop activity interventions; and communicate resident concerns and responses to interventions to team members and direct care staff.
Schedule recreational activities across mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends; provide activities for different age groups and interests, in varied locations, and include seasonal events; post the monthly Activities calendar.
Provide activities for residents confined to their rooms that reflect their lifelong interests, such as music, reading, visits with people who share their interests, and in-room projects.
Provide structured activities for cognitively impaired residents and adapt activities using simplified steps, verbal prompts, physical support, demonstrations, or hand-over-hand assistance as needed.
Ensure residents are informed about activities, staff encourage participation, and transportation is provided.
Record progress notes in clinical records, including findings, observations, interventions, and resident responses; audit Recreation Services staff chart entries for completeness and accuracy.
Conduct quality assessment and assurance activities, including daily regulatory compliance rounds, activity observations, record reviews, and interviews with staff, residents, families, and Administration; identify performance problems and institute corrective action.
Develop and update Recreation Services policies and procedures consistent with the facility’s philosophy and mission, professional standards, and applicable state and federal laws and regulations.
Communicate daily with the Nursing Home Administrator about resident care, personnel, and budget issues.
Develop a staffing plan and recommend the number and types of personnel needed to meet resident needs and comply with applicable laws and regulations.
Participate in developing the department budget and provide the Nursing Home Administrator with relevant information about department financial needs and status.