Life Enrichment Lead

BETHESDA HEALTH AND HOUSING•New London, MN

About The Position

The Life Enrichment Lead works directly with residents, providing acceptance, friendliness, and compassion. Activity programs are based on residents’ interests, strengths, and needs, and are delivered in a warm, encouraging atmosphere. The role supports residents’ quality of life and helps them function at their optimum level by addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual, community, and social well-being. The position is full-time, primarily scheduled during business hours, with flexibility for evenings and weekends as needed. The role reports to the Social Services Designee and works with the Director, Housekeeping Lead, Clinical Nurse Supervisor, Head Chef, culinary servers and housekeepers, caregivers, nurses, and Volunteer Coordinator. External contacts include visitors, families, volunteers, and outside activity-program sources. Business-appropriate street clothing is required. The employee plans, prepares, and facilitates varied activities suited to residents’ needs and abilities; provides one-to-one visits and encourages residents to participate while respecting their rights and offering choices. Other duties include ordering supplies, arranging transportation or assisting with outings, preparing food for activities, photographing events, preparing the monthly newsletter and calendar, completing computer work, decorating the environment, and maintaining activity-supply inventory. The employee is expected to attend training, complete scheduled work, maintain professional and friendly conduct, and adapt to changing needs. Other reasonable related duties may be assigned.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
Basic activity course, or willingness to take the course.
Attend all ongoing activity training.
Good physical and mental health.
Ability to maintain an outgoing, cheerful, and enthusiastic personality.
Efficient time-management skills.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to work with others in close proximity.
Self-motivated and able to work independently.
Ability to contribute to a friendly, homelike atmosphere.
Knowledge of various activities and familiarity with residents’ limitations.
Ability to read, write, and follow directions.
Ability to speak clearly and make oneself understood by residents with varying abilities.
Ability to think creatively, plan, and problem-solve.
Ability to prepare, present, and evaluate activities.
Record-keeping ability.
Ability to cope with frequent interruptions and adapt activities to residents’ ability levels and needs.
Ability to quickly develop alternative activity plans.
Ability to cope with depressed or lonely people and deal with residents with dementia.
Ability to prepare activities with variety, fun, and purpose.
Occasional lifting of 10–20 pounds; frequent walking, twisting, standing, bending or stooping, and pushing or pulling; occasional squatting, kneeling, sitting, and reaching above the shoulder.

Nice To Haves

Previous work with seniors is desirable.
Musical or performance ability is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide personal contact and one-to-one visits that help residents feel welcome, successful, purposeful, and encouraged to pursue their interests and use their remaining abilities.
Invite residents to activities and explain them in ways that encourage involvement, respect residents’ rights, and offer choices whenever possible.
Plan, prepare, and facilitate activities that meet residents’ mental, physical, emotional, social, and community needs, offering variety for different ability levels.
Work with the HD in planning and developing programs and seek improved approaches.
Create and maintain a warm, loving environment; use age- and mind-appropriate interaction and good listening skills.
Perform daily miscellaneous duties with kindness, willingness, and spontaneity.
Order food and supplies for the department.
Arrange transportation or assist with outings.
Prepare food for activities and clean the area afterward.
Photograph events and share interesting events for the Beacon.
Prepare the monthly newsletter and plan the calendar.
Perform computer work as required.
Help enhance the environment through seasonal and monthly decorations along with the HD.
Maintain an outgoing inventory of activity supplies.
Report for and leave work on time, completing tasks as scheduled.
Attend in-services and required training and participate in the annual performance evaluation process.
Maintain professional conduct and a pleasant, friendly attitude toward staff, residents, and visitors.
Be willing to learn and change to meet emerging needs; perform other reasonable related duties as assigned.