Life Enrichment Assistant

Memorial Healthcare•Owosso, MI

About The Position

Under the supervision and direction of the Life Enrichment Coordinator, the Life Enrichment Assistant helps lead individual activities and social and recreational programs in large and small groups. The activities should be meaningful and enhance residents’ quality of life. The assistant monitors and documents residents’ participation and progress, ensures initial assessments are completed, and provides appropriate MDS documentation. The role supports an activity program that meets state and federal regulations and Memorial Healthcare’s vision for excellence in personalized healthcare. It also supports patient- and family-centered care and contributes to a positive patient and family experience. The assistant participates in resident assessment and individualized care planning, maintains resident rights and confidentiality, supports resident safety, and collaborates with facility staff and departments. The role requires the ability to provide age-appropriate care, recognize changes in residents’ conditions, document findings and interventions, and develop creative activity programs. Other duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school graduate or equivalent.
Basic CPR certification.
Current BLS certification.
At least two years of experience as a nurse tech or activity tech working with the geriatric population within the last five years, or experience as a therapy recreational specialist.
Ability to travel independently throughout Memorial Healthcare facilities.
Ability to use modern office, computer, and telephone equipment.
Ability to adapt and maintain focus in fast-paced, changing, or stressful situations and function under pressure.
Ability to read and interpret policies, operating instructions, reports, regulations, rules, laws, and other documents.
Ability to perform simple math, identify changes in residents’ conditions or responses to interventions, and document findings and interventions.
Ability to independently develop creative program activities.
Ability to communicate receptively and expressively in English, in writing and verbally, with diverse populations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, self-control, and calm in challenging situations, and to communicate openly, honestly, tactfully, professionally, courteously, and effectively.
Ability to work as a team member with a positive, cooperative, and motivated attitude.
Normal hearing, with aids permitted, to conduct assessments and activities and accurately hear communication in person or by phone.
Vision within normal limits for monitoring residents, conducting activities and assessments, and reading work-related information.
Fine motor skills in all fingers, including the ability to grasp and control small activity items and hold a pen for handwritten duties.
Normal sense of smell to detect odors that may indicate unsafe conditions or changes in resident status.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, sit intermittently, lift and carry up to 20 pounds, push or pull residents in wheelchairs weighing 70–200 pounds, bend to the floor, reach overhead, squat or kneel, and twist at the waist.
Ability to see and hear for work-related purposes and visually assess residents’ condition and needs.

Nice To Haves

Activity Assistant certification through the National Certification Council is preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead or assist with individual activities and social and recreational programs in large and small group settings.
Monitor and document residents’ participation and progress, ensure initial assessments are completed, and provide appropriate MDS documentation.
Attend care plan meetings when the Life Enrichment Coordinator is absent.
Serve on the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee and attend mandatory in-services.
Assess residents and work with the Life Enrichment Coordinator to develop individualized plans of care with measurable objectives aligned with residents’ interests, preferences, and goals.
Properly document MDS reports, progress notes, and other necessary information in residents’ charts.
Assist with transportation arrangements for resident outings as weather permits.
Maintain the office and activity area in a neat and orderly manner.
Uphold residents’ rights, privacy, dignity, and freedom of choice.
Attend training programs and meetings to remain informed about developments in long-term and skilled care.
Keep the Life Enrichment Coordinator informed of departmental concerns and contribute positively to the interdepartmental team.
Promote resident safety, use equipment and technology safely and effectively, and reduce the risk of adverse resident occurrences.
Deliver and open mail for residents as necessary.
Continue assessment, care planning, and support when the Life Enrichment Coordinator is absent.
Provide care appropriate to the ages and developmental needs of residents served, consistent with unit and division policies and procedures.
Support the hospital’s mission, vision, values, standards of care, policies, operating instructions, confidentiality requirements, compliance plan, standards of behavior, and code of ethical behavior.
Perform other duties as assigned.