Director of Activities

Elderwood•Town of Lancaster, NY

9d•$72,000•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Director of Activities to lead a resident engagement program that reaches well beyond entertainment and event planning. This leader will shape meaningful daily experiences that support physical activity, cognitive stimulation, social connection, lifelong learning, emotional well-being, and spiritual wellness. Elderwood at Lancaster is a 96-bed skilled nursing community providing long-term care, memory care, and subacute rehabilitation, including orthopedic, cardiac, and post-surgical services. Our residents have different abilities, interests, histories, and goals. The right leader will build a program that recognizes those differences and creates opportunities for every resident to participate in a meaningful way. This is a department leadership role with responsibility for resident assessment, individualized programming, care planning, regulatory documentation, team development, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships. You understand that meaningful engagement looks different for every resident. You can build an energetic group program while also ensuring that residents who prefer—or require—individualized engagement are not overlooked. You bring creativity, but you also bring structure. You can inspire a team, manage documentation, collaborate with clinical partners, communicate with families, and maintain a program that meets professional and regulatory expectations. The quality of a resident’s day is shaped by more than a schedule of events. It is shaped by whether they feel known, included, capable, connected, and engaged. If you are ready to lead a department that influences resident well-being, function, community, and quality of life every day, we invite you to apply to Elderwood at Lancaster.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with training in recreation required.
Must meet applicable qualifications under New York State rules and regulations for directing a skilled-nursing activities program.
Candidates must qualify through an applicable pathway, which may include recognized therapeutic recreation or activities-professional credentials, qualifying therapeutic-program experience, occupational therapy credentials, or completion of a state-approved training course.
Demonstrated leadership ability and the ability to direct, support, and hold a team accountable.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Patience, flexibility, sound judgment, and sensitivity to residents’ individual needs.
Ability to build productive relationships with residents, families, employees, volunteers, visitors, and community partners.
Ability to complete required assessments, care plans, progress notes, and other program documentation accurately and on time.
Physical stamina to participate in and support an active resident-engagement program.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at an intermediate or more advanced level to support safe and effective communication with residents, employees, visitors, and supervisors.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience working with older adults or in an elder-care setting strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Design and lead a comprehensive program of group, individual, and independent activities based on residents’ abilities, interests, preferences, and care needs.
Create programming that supports movement, cognition, social connection, creativity, learning, emotional wellness, and spiritual well-being.
Lead, mentor, schedule, and support Activity Leaders in delivering consistent, resident-centered programming.
Interview and assess new residents, contribute required MDS information, and develop individualized activity plans of care.
Participate in interdisciplinary care-planning meetings and resident and family review sessions.
Maintain accurate evaluations, progress notes, attendance records, care-plan documentation, and discharge summaries.
Develop the monthly activities calendar and communicate upcoming programming to residents, families, and the broader facility team.
Build a strong volunteer program by recruiting, orienting, training, and supporting volunteers.
Develop relationships with schools, service groups, entertainers, cultural organizations, faith communities, and other community partners.
Evaluate participation and resident response, then adapt programming to improve access, relevance, and engagement.