Activity Assistant/Activity CNA

Terrace of Jacksonville•Jacksonville, FL

About The Position

The Activity Assistant/Activity CNA assists the Activity Director in planning, organizing, developing, and implementing activity programs in accordance with applicable standards and regulations. The role helps ensure residents have ongoing opportunities that support their interests and physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being. The assistant may implement the activity program when the Activity Director is absent and carries out other appropriate duties as directed by the Administrator. The position involves coordinating and facilitating group and one-to-one activities, supporting resident-centered activity plans, documenting participation and responses, and assisting residents with activity preferences and independent activities. The assistant also supports calendars, seasonal decorations, mail delivery, outings, resident satisfaction, and activity-related discharge planning. The role requires respectful interaction with residents, families, visitors, staff, and government representatives, while protecting resident rights and confidentiality. Work takes place in office areas and throughout the facility. The position involves frequent movement and interruptions, interaction with residents and families who may be upset or hostile, and possible exposure to infectious waste, illness, hazardous chemicals, dust, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other workplace hazards. Work beyond normal duty hours, weekends, temporary coverage in other positions, and emergency call-back may be required. The position includes physical demands such as moving throughout the workday and pushing, pulling, moving, or carrying at least 35 pounds, as well as possible assistance with resident evacuation.

Requirements

At minimum, have completed high school.
Possess a current, active, unencumbered Certified Nursing Assistant certification.
Possess and maintain a current eligible AHCA Background Screening Status.
Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
Be able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
Be able to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government personnel, and the general public.
Be knowledgeable about activity practices and procedures and laws, regulations, and guidelines governing long-term care facilities.
Have leadership ability and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel.
Be able to plan, organize, develop, implement, and interpret Activity Department programs, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
Maintain supplies and equipment and the appearance of facility areas.
Demonstrate patience, tact, a cheerful disposition, enthusiasm, and willingness to work with residents at their current maturity level.
Not pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others in the workplace.
Be able to move intermittently throughout the workday and cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
Have adequate sight and hearing, with or without prosthetics, to perform the position’s requirements.
Be able to function independently and demonstrate flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, personnel, and support agencies.
Meet the facility’s general health requirements, including medical and physical examination requirements.
Be able to relate to and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people.
Be able to push, pull, move, or lift at least 35 pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and move or carry that weight at least 450 feet.
May need to assist with evacuating residents during emergencies.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree in an activity-related or social work-related field.

Responsibilities

Assist the Activity Director with planning, developing, organizing, and implementing activity programs.
Coordinate planned activities with other departments to ensure appropriate space and supplies are available.
Set up and clean up activity supplies and areas, and ensure activities begin at scheduled times.
Implement and facilitate scheduled and one-to-one activities, following instructions and resident care plans.
Involve residents and families in activity planning and remind staff and residents about scheduled activities.
Assist with transporting residents to and from activity areas and chaperone activities off facility grounds.
Observe and document residents’ activity participation, engagement time, responses, and relevant changes in behavior or physical or emotional status.
Notify the Activity Director of activity-related problems and nursing staff of changes in residents’ behavior or condition.
Implement the activity program in the Activity Director’s absence and recommend improvements or new activities.
Assist with developing the activity calendar, distributing copies to residents, and mailing calendars to responsible parties or family members as directed.
Assist in gathering and maintaining information about residents’ activity preferences, interests, likes, and dislikes.
Help residents obtain supplies for independent activities and provide materials for hobbies, crafts, reading, movies, parties, and games.
Deliver mail and assist residents with opening or reading it when specifically requested.
Assist with seasonal decorations, arranging transportation for field trips, and activity-related discharge planning.
Assist the Activity Director with resident or family interviews to assess satisfaction.
Report accidents, incidents, abuse, neglect, complaints, grievances, and hazardous conditions according to facility procedures.
Participate in facility inspections and surveys conducted by authorized government agencies.
Attend required staff development, department, safety, OSHA, CDC, and other mandatory training programs.
Follow safety, sanitation, infection control, equipment-use, and protective-clothing procedures; maintain clean and safe activity work and storage areas.
Maintain resident confidentiality, knock before entering rooms, respect privacy and residents’ rights, and treat residents and others with dignity.
Prepare to respond to emergencies, including possible changes to work assignments and schedules.