Director of Activities

New England Homes For The Deaf•Danvers, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

New England Homes for the Deaf (NEHD), founded in 1901, is a life plan community offering a continuum of care to Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing seniors. NEHD provides independent living, rest home care, skilled nursing, Deaf senior centers, short-term rehabilitation, respite care, and hospice care. The mission of NEHD is to provide long-term healthcare, housing, recreational activities, and social support for Deaf, Deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals in an accessible, barrier-free, and culturally sensitive environment with optimal communication and architectural resources. This position is responsible for providing a varied social and recreational program that motivates and stimulates the social and emotional lives of residents through large group, small group, and independent sessions.

Requirements

Therapeutic recreation specialist or is licensed or registered, if applicable, by State in which practicing and is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activity professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; or Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or has completed a training course approved by the State.
Ability to hear and respond to pages.
Ability to read and write.
Ability to communicate with residents, family members, other personnel, and consultants.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.
Ability to understand and follow training and in-service education.
Ability to remain calm in emergency situations and when handling multiple tasks.

Nice To Haves

Certified Recreation Therapist preferred or Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant or Certified Activity Director (NCCAP or state specific).

Responsibilities

Structure, plan, schedule, and post in advance an activities program for the month, after discussion with administration.
Meet with staff to discuss specific needs, issues, and concerns for the Activities Program.
Monitor Activities Staff as they work with residents.
Monitor daily Activity Logs for residents.
Provide suitable activities to residents unable to leave their rooms.
Hire staff in the Department and coordinate staffing, as needed.
Coordinate volunteers for activities programs.
Secure entertainment well in advance of the date and confirm the appointment the day before.
Arrange for clergymen to conduct services of worship in the Home, confirm appointment the day before, and prepare the area to be used, per chaplain's instructions.
Coordinate scheduling needs for Activities Programs.
Coordinate staff replacement due to illness or vacation day.
Continually meet with Activities staff to discuss scheduling, resident needs, and changes in calendars.
Participate in daily morning meetings with Nursing and all Directors to discuss resident needs and concerns.
Meet at weekly Director's Meeting.
Participate in care plan meetings with the interdisciplinary team.
Interview and hire all Activities Staff, with assistance from Human Resources Director.
Approve/deny vacation days and time off.
Monitor employee conduct and job performance of all Activities Staff.
Conduct yearly Employee Reviews.
Meet with nursing staff for weekly Care plan Meeting to discuss specific residents and their current plan of care, making changes to resident's activity levels, when needed.
Provide updated MDS forms for each resident, based on their changing needs and interests.
Participate with administration in a regular ongoing evaluation of the activities program.
Advertise volunteer needs of the department with Human Resources.
Interview and hire all Activities volunteers, with assistance from Human Resources Director.
Oversee Deaf/Blind Activities Program.
Meet weekly with Memory Loss Program Coordinators regarding specific needs.
Plan resident activities with the coordinator of the Memory Loss Program.
Adhere to the Company's Code of Conduct and business Ethics policy, including documentation and reporting responsibilities.
Attend and participate in educational activities, in-service training, and staff meetings; assist in orientation and training other staff.
Participate in Quality Improvement activities as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned or needed.