Activity Assistant

Pine Forest • Jackson, MS

6d • $12 • Onsite

About The Position

The primary purpose of the Activity Assistant position is to assist in planning, organizing, developing and implementing the resident activity programs of the facility and assure resident safety. This role involves working in office areas as well as throughout the facility, with frequent interruptions and interaction with residents, personnel, visitors, and government agencies. The position requires flexibility, as it may involve working beyond normal hours, on weekends and holidays, and being subject to callback during emergencies. The role also involves potential exposure to infectious diseases and hazardous chemicals.

Requirements

• Must possess, as a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must have a minimum of six (6) months of experience in a social or recreational program within the last five years preferably within a health care setting.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities based on residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.
• Assist in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family as directed by the Activity Director.
• Assist in coordination of activity schedules with other departments as necessary.
• Communicate residents’ programs to residents, residents’ families, volunteers, and facility staff.
• Decorate monthly bulletin boards indicating future activities, holiday themes, and/or picture review of past activities.
• Assist in transportation of residents within the facility from one area of activity to another.
• Participate in group activities to ensure maximum involvement by interested residents.
• Help read incoming mail, and address and post outgoing mail upon the resident’s request.
• Arrange transportation for field trips as requested.
• Assist in making appointments for the residents as requested.
• Assist in scheduling movies, planning parties, and providing games/activities for residents.
• Encourage residents to participate in hobbies, crafts and other activities. Provide materials as necessary.
• Supervise activities as necessary in the absence of the Director and/or Assistant Director.
• Provide reading materials in various formats i.e., Braille, tapes, large print, etc. as necessary.
• Assist in providing library services for residents through cooperation with local library.
• Make routine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc. as necessary.
• Assist in arranging for special events i.e., bazaars, picnics, birthdays, anniversaries as necessary.
• Assist bed bound residents by visiting them, running letters, running errands, reading, etc.
• Perform clerical duties as assigned by Activity Director or Assistant Director.
• Perform daily, weekly and Monthly duties as described on attached Addendum.
• Assist the Activity Director in developing comprehensive assessments and progress notes of the activity needs of each resident.
• Recognize abnormal signs and symptoms that may signify a physical change in resident’s condition that could require nursing intervention. Report changes to charge nurse and Activity Director.
• Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.
• Serve on, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility as requested by the Activity Director.
• Provide written and/or oral reports of the programs and activities as required by the committee.
• Assist the Activity Director in evaluating and implementing recommendations from established committees as they may relate to activity services.
• Assist the Activity Director in orienting new associates, activity personnel and/or volunteers to the activity department.
• Review and inventory activity supplies and equipment and recommend to the Activity Director the equipment and supply needs of the department.
• Assist in conducting periodic checks of equipment to assure that all equipment is in good working order.
• Check supply rooms to be sure that activity supplies are on hand to conduct scheduled activities.
• Ensure that appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary activity and departmental cleaning functions.
• Assist in the development of safety standards for the activity department.
• Monitor volunteers to assure they are following established safety and infection control regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ensure that department work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe manner.
• Follow all facility infection control, communicable disease, isolation and hazardous conditions policies and procedures.
• Be sure that protective clothing/devices are on hand for handling infectious waste and/or blood/body fluids.
• Maintain the confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Knock before entering a resident’s room.
• Ensure that all activity personnel are knowledgeable of the resident’s right and responsibilities, including the right of refusal.
• Review complaints made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the Activity Director indicating what action/s were taken to resolve the complaint and the current status of the complaint.
• Participate in resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services to such council.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED