Recreation Assistant
About The Position
The Recreation Assistant works directly with residents with love, acceptance, friendliness, and compassion to encourage them to 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 primary responsibility is to spend time with assigned residents, becoming a friend, advocate, and source of life or comfort. This involves providing personal contact and conducting activities that help residents feel successful and purposeful, encouraging them to pursue their interests and use their remaining abilities, or to find solace and comfort, all within a homelike and comforting atmosphere.
Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to complete the feeding portion of the Nursing Assistant course or be a Certified Nursing Assistant.
- 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.
- Continual professional updating.
- 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.
- Report for and leave the work area on a timely basis.
Nice To Haves
- 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 and with other departments.
- Do 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.
- Attend all Bethesda or other sponsored on-going activity meetings and in-services.
- 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.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
