Life Enrichment Supervisor

Channing House•Palo Alto, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Channing House is a not-for-profit Life Plan Community in Palo Alto serving 265 residents with a team of approximately 200 staff. The Life Enrichment Supervisor plans, coordinates, and implements activity programs aligned with residents’ individual interdisciplinary care plans. Under the guidance of the Wellness Program Manager, the supervisor provides psychosocial support and monitors residents’ comfort, concerns, and needs. The position supports Channing House’s values of doing the right thing, teamwork, quality, and adaptability, and contributes to a healthy and vibrant home for residents. The role oversees life-enrichment programming, its documentation and coordination, and day-to-day staff leadership. Programs include activities and events that respond to residents’ abilities, interests, cultural backgrounds, and care needs across levels of care. The supervisor also supports person-centered dementia care, resident well-being, staff development, and coordination with residents, families, volunteers, and other departments.

Requirements

At least 2 years of related work experience.
Associate, bachelor’s, or bachelor of science degree required as listed; a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience is preferred.
Public speaking experience required.
Complete and renew the Activity Professionals Certificate as needed, and complete annual continuing education units.
Ability to use a computer and proficiency with Microsoft Suite, Apple iOS and Android mobile phones, common local and network printers, and finance, scheduling, MHR, safety, and other software used in a continuing-care facility, as well as accounting, database, internet, spreadsheet, and email software.
Ability to speak and comprehend English, the primary workplace language.
Skills in speaking, active listening, reading comprehension, critical thinking, writing, service orientation, customer service, social perceptiveness, time management, professionalism, quality management, safety and security, active learning, cultural awareness, judgment and decision-making, complex problem-solving, monitoring, people management, organizational support, research translation, talent management, new technologies, and change management.
Abilities and work qualities including oral and written communication, deductive reasoning, problem sensitivity, speech clarity, learning, information ordering, ethics, positivity, presentability, quality, punctuality, dependability, compassion, persuasion, empathy, discretion, judgment, innovation, and initiative.
Able to perform the essential functions, including frequent standing and walking, hand use and coordination, reaching, bending, stooping, pushing or pulling, and frequently lifting or moving up to 25 pounds; able to sit at a desk, use computers and phones, and perform required vision tasks. Reasonable accommodations may be made.
Travel required is less than 5%.

Nice To Haves

Specialty in Recreational Therapy, Psychology, and/or Hospitality preferred.
Ability to speak and/or comprehend languages used by clients is a plus.
High school diploma, GED, or equivalent experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Attend daily stand-up meetings and share relevant updates with the Life Enrichment team; participate in monthly Events Committee and Buddy Volunteer preparation meetings.
Assist with trip and outing planning, including charter bus reservations and other transportation arrangements.
Assist in developing and maintaining activity calendars for each level of care.
Lead and coordinate large-scale holiday events, cultural celebrations, and dementia-awareness initiatives, adapting programming to residents’ evolving cultural backgrounds, traditions, interests, and community needs.
Develop residents’ activity plans of care, gathering information from medical records, nursing staff, family members, and residents to assess abilities, needs, and interests.
Keep activity displays accurate and current, promote attendance, and encourage residents to develop leisure activities.
Implement and lead activities such as crafts, games, music, art, lectures, educational and exercise classes, tours, and outings; instruct residents in activities and techniques suited to their physical or psychological needs.
Encourage participation, observe residents during activities, and respond appropriately to verbal and nonverbal expressions of need.
Plan, organize, direct, and participate in programs that support rehabilitation and community integration; coordinate Life Care programming and joint programming with buddies or Independent Living residents.
Support community-wide dementia-care initiatives, including staff in-services, residents’ life stories, and coordinated person-centered memory-care programming.
Assist residents at mealtime in the activity room, including distributing meal trays and pouring beverages; respond to grief-related needs and maintain hair and other ancillary appointments as needed.
Participate in investigating theft-and-loss reports and complaints to identify resident concerns.
Document activity attendance; complete admission and quarterly activity assessments; maintain lists of volunteers, entertainers, and speakers; purchase supplies within the monthly budget; and prepare reports and charts on resident responses and progress or regression.
Attend requested meetings and in-services, review care plans, and write progress notes on residents’ responses to the Life Enrichment Program.
Evaluate clothing needs of residents in Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assisted Living units, encourage family purchases as needed, and arrange needed adaptive equipment, clothing, and personal items.
Stay current with program trends and best practices through networking, site visits, and conferences as appropriate; learn applicable CDPH and DSS activity regulations.
Develop and oversee the weekly staff schedule and lead daily staff huddles to communicate priorities and operational updates.
Promote staff actions that protect residents’ dignity and individuality and foster a culture of getting to know residents to provide person-centered care.
Provide supervisory guidance and accountability to Life Enrichment Department employees; train staff, plan and assign work, direct work, provide feedback, address suggestions and complaints, and resolve problems in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws.
Maintain effective team relationships and professional communication; provide a supportive, caring environment; and follow company policies, procedures, safety and compliance practices, and business ethics standards.