Activity Director

Children's Health of Northern CA•Saratoga, CA

1d•$28 - $32•Onsite

About The Position

The Recreational Therapist / Activities Director oversees and delivers pediatric therapeutic recreation services for medically fragile children at CHONC Subacute Hospital. The purpose of this role is to assess individual patient needs and developmental levels, delivering targeted group programming, 1:1 support, and joint therapy sessions to support personalized therapeutic goals. Additionally, this position leads the Activities Department by supervising Activity Assistants, managing the volunteer program, coordinating with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and Zarcone School, and maintaining department administration to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy (or related field ie art therapist, music therapist, dance therapist or occupational therapist assistant) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS); must meet California Title 22 requirements for Activity Director in a pediatric subacute facility.
BLS Certified
A minimum of one (1) year experience working with children in a healthcare, daycare, or educational setting.
Direct experience working with medically fragile individuals preferred.
Ability to lift 25 pounds comfortably and physically interact with children.
Physical mobility to safely maneuver, transfer and position patients (as appropriate) to maximize engagement during group and 1:1 interventions.
Proficiency in timely, objective clinical documentation, including initial assessments, progress notes, and care plans.
Ability to write measurable therapeutic goals and individual objectives tailored to each child's functional level.
Proven ability to coordinate large group activities and maintain structured, organized scheduling for multi-patient programs.
Ability to communicate effectively with interdisciplinary team members
Ability to assess and meaningfully interact with infants, children, youth and families.
Computer literate (Microsoft office).
Demonstrates effective leadership and able to take initiative.
Problem-solving, listening and communications skills.
Able to work independently after given direction.
High School Education/GED
Experience working with medically fragile individuals.
Ability to incorporate recommendations from therapy, nursing and activities into play activities for the children.
Ability to identify areas of need and provide individual activities for child.
Ability to incorporate recommendations from IDT into play activities for the child.

Nice To Haves

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
Direct experience working with medically fragile individuals

Responsibilities

Organize daily activities at a CHONC Subacute Pediatric Hospital
Assess patient, treatment plan, initiate intervention, document engagement, and evaluate activities with clear therapeutic goals and outcomes
Facilitate appropriate individualized sessions for patients to strengthen their developmental abilities, fine motor, gross motor and cognitive skills.
Track patient activity engagement and identifying any barriers leading to decreased activity participation
Facilitate and advocate for treatment planning that will support improved quality of life for each patient within the hospital setting
Provides feedback or input of child’s responses to activity, observations about their physical and emotional behavior to both the responsible party during care conferences and during Interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.
Manage activity documentations such as assessments, quarterlies, progress notes, care plans, care conference notes, and IDT notes.
Order and maintain activity department equipment and supplies to provide a wide range of unique and engaging interventions.
Oversee and maintain an organized and sterilize Dayroom, shed, and office.
Sterilize and clean Rehab room after each group or one-on-one session
Coordinate the daily activities to ensure consistent and quality programming
Manage and oversee Activity Assistants who assist with leading and conducting diversified recreation activities such as arts and crafts, organized games, and pet therapy.
Train Activity Assistants to provide patient-centered care including, but not limited to; using patient’s interests to motivate and engage patient and provide hand-over-hand support when necessary.
Establish and sustain working relationships with staff members and a variety of internal and external working groups and individuals, including community partners
Oversee and manage the volunteer program at the Saratoga Subacute CHONC facility. This includes recruiting new volunteers, collecting and documenting required prerequisites such as mandated reporter training, vaccine records, and background checks. You’ll also be responsible for overseeing volunteer orientation, and creating and managing schedules of volunteers
Hire, manage and train Activity Assistants and coordinate their schedules
Manage volunteers and their schedules
Plan daily and monthly activity calendars and special events
Co-plan with the social committee for company-wide events
Increase staff morale by decorating for holidays and planning festive events
Coordinate with community partners and establish new community partner relationships
Receive and organize donations
Facilitate daily group and individualized programing
Provide developmentally appropriate play to individual children
Take children outside for increased quality of life and motor skill development/activities, weather permitting.
Manage patient’s electronic devices to be used appropriately for leisure
Coordinate with the rehab team to integrate and maximize therapeutic activity group time for advancing patients' rehabilitation goals.
Write measurable, evidence-based, and individual objectives for each patient
Work with families, nursing staff, and activities department team to organize quarterly field trips and family-engaging events
Develop and present in-service training to nursing and respiratory staff on the holistic care of pediatric patients such as patient-centered care, behavioral management, and therapeutic interventions.
Work together with the on-site Zarcone School and report school engagement to parents during care conferences
Send patient’s families updates and fliers about upcoming family events.