Recreation Assistant

BETHESDA HEALTH AND HOUSING • Willmar, MN

11h • Onsite

About The Position

The Recreation Assistant works directly with residents with love, acceptance, friendliness, and compassion, aiming to help residents live their lives to the fullest. They develop activity programs based on resident interests, strengths, and needs, conducting activities in an atmosphere of warmth, success, encouragement, and joy. The role involves spending the majority of time working directly with residents to foster their communication, self-expression, and personal identity. The assistant must be aware of resident interests and needs, assist them in being successful, and be friendly and helpful to family members and volunteers. They are also responsible for promoting open communication and teamwork within the department and with other departments, completing required documentation and care planning accurately and timely, and developing creative activity programming that meets different ability levels. Additionally, the role may involve assisting at meals and with resident snacks/beverages during activities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous work or experience with elderly.
• Previous work with elderly or physically challenged persons is desirable.
• Ability to maintain outgoing, cheerful, & enthusiastic personality.
• Demonstrates respect for the elderly or physically challenged.
• Ability to speak clearly and make self understood to people of varying abilities.
• Ability to function as a team player.
• Ability to work independently and self-motivate.
• Ability and willingness to learn.
• Ability to present an activity to a large group.
• Skills in one or more areas of: music, art, organization, listening and group work.
• Ability to read, write, follow directions in English and use basic math skills.
• Ability to problem solve and think creatively.
• Precise record keeping ability.
• Ability to prepare, present and evaluate activity accurately.
• Attend all Bethesda or other sponsored on-going activity meetings and in-services.
• Continual professional updating.
• Frequent walking, standing, bending, pushing, and pulling.
• Occasional squatting, kneeling, sitting, and reaching above shoulder level.
• Occasional exposure to communicable diseases.
• Occasional lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Compassion for people with disabilities.
• Presenting in front of a large group of people.
• Ability to adapt activities to varying needs.
• Ability to alternate activity plans if necessary.
• Teamwork with other department members.
• Flexibility and spontaneity.
• Patience with residents displaying agitation, confusion or depression.
• Ability to work with many people, both staff and residents, with varying personalities.
• Business casual attire.
• Jeans with no holes or rips.
• Bethesda shirts.
• Solid colored t-shirts.
• Footwear: Close-toe, comfortable, slip-resistant shoes.
• Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, oral hygiene and deodorant.
• Neat and practical hairstyle.
• Hair tied back when working with food.
• Visible name badge worn on chest area.
• Compliance with facility guidelines for masks, gloves, goggles, etc. if applicable.
• Piercings: Covered or removed if posing infection or safety risk.
• Tattoos: Covered or removed if posing infection or safety risk.
• Clean, well-maintained attire.

Nice To Haves

• Previous work or experience with elderly.
• Previous work with elderly or physically challenged persons is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Develop activity programs based on resident interests, strengths, and needs.
• Conduct activities in an atmosphere of warmth, success, encouragement, and joy.
• Spend the majority of time each day working directly with the residents.
• Foster resident communication, self-expression, and personal identity.
• Be aware of resident interests, needs, goals, and assist to help them be successful.
• Be friendly, helpful, and accommodating to family members and volunteers.
• Promote a spirit of open communication, cooperation, teamwork, and friendliness within the department as well as with other departments.
• Do the required documentation and care planning in a timely, legible, and accurate manner.
• Be creative in planning and implementing activities that meet different levels of abilities, assisting them to function at their highest practicable level.
• Develop activity programming that promotes the philosophy, policy, and procedures of the activity department.
• Assist at meals when directed by supervisor.
• Assist Residents at activity groups with their snacks/beverages.
• Foster cooperation and friendliness with new staff.
• Report for and leave the work area on a timely basis.
• Participate in annual performance reviews.
• Write yearly personal goals.
• Participate in all required in-service programs.
• Maintain professional conduct and pleasant, friendly attitude towards staff, residents, and visitors.
• Be willing to learn and change to meet needs that arise.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED