Activities Assistant AL

PruittHealth•Clearwater, FL

10d

About The Position

The Activities Assistant supports the planning, implementation, and evaluation of recreational, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual programs in accordance with residents’ assessments and care plans, and as directed by the Supervisor. The role develops individualized recreation programs based on residents’ functional levels, needs, interests, and preferences, and works with the interdisciplinary team to incorporate activity interventions into care plans. The position organizes activities across different times of day and locations, including programs for residents confined to their rooms and structured activities for residents with cognitive impairment. It adapts activities to support participation and maintains records of interventions and resident responses. The role also contributes to quality assurance, regulatory compliance, staff performance improvement, department policies and procedures, staffing plans, and budget development, and communicates regularly with the Nursing Home Administrator.

Requirements

At least two years of college education, with coursework 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 or resident activities program in a health care setting.

Responsibilities

Assess residents by gathering information from residents, family members, legal representatives, and significant others to develop individualized recreation programs.
Update recreation programs to reflect residents’ needs and preferences and to protect and promote residents’ rights.
Work with the interdisciplinary team to develop, implement, and evaluate care plans; attend care conferences and develop activity interventions.
Communicate resident concerns and responses to interventions to interdisciplinary team members and direct care staff.
Schedule activities across morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend hours, for varied age groups and interests, in a variety of locations, including seasonal events; post the monthly activities calendar.
Provide in-room activities for residents that reflect their lifelong interests.
Provide structured activities for residents with cognitive impairment and adapt activities using methods such as simple task steps, verbal prompts, physical support, demonstrations, and hand-over-hand assistance.
Establish procedures to inform residents about activities, encourage staff to support participation, and provide transportation.
Document progress notes in clinical records, including observations, interventions, and resident responses; audit Recreation Services staff chart entries for completeness and accuracy.
Perform quality assessment and assurance activities, including regulatory compliance rounds, observations, record reviews, and interviews.
Identify performance problems among Recreation Services staff and institute corrective action.
Develop and update Recreation Services policies and procedures consistent with facility philosophy, professional standards, and applicable laws and regulations.
Communicate daily with the Nursing Home Administrator about resident care, personnel, and budget issues.
Develop staffing plans and recommend the number and types of personnel needed to meet resident needs and regulatory requirements.
Participate in department budget development and provide the Nursing Home Administrator with relevant financial information.