Recreation Therapy Aide | Long Term Care Recreation Therapy | Full-Time Days (21341)

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center • Paramus, NJ

1d

About The Position

The Recreation Therapy Aide provides recreational activities for residents in a long-term care setting, based on the resident population and direction from the Director or Assistant Director. The aide leads programs tailored to residents’ needs, provides individual interventions during group activities and in unit settings, and helps create a homelike environment through seasonal and holiday decorations. The position also supports community trips, transports residents to activities, sets up activity areas, documents attendance, and assists with special events and, as needed, mealtimes.

The role requires respectful, timely, professional, caring, and patient interactions with residents and colleagues. The aide follows departmental policies and procedures and the Medical Center’s quality assurance, safety, environmental, infection control, and conduct standards. Other duties may include identifying policy gaps, contributing to problem-solving, attending staff meetings and educational programs, and performing additional duties that support department and organizational objectives.

Requirements

• One year of experience in a long-term care setting is preferred.
• Practical skills in crafts, recreation, or sports.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to speak, read, and write English to the extent required by the position.
• High school graduation or equivalent is required.
• American Heart Association Heart Saver CPR/AED certification is required.
• Ability to lift and/or push heavy equipment.
• Mobility and manual dexterity.
• Ability to stand and walk frequently for prolonged periods.
• Ability to bend, stoop, reach, kneel, and crouch frequently.
• Ability to lift, position, push, and/or transfer patients or equipment.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience in a long-term care setting.
• Bilingual Korean/English skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide recreational activities appropriate to the resident population, as determined by the Director or Assistant Director.
• Recommend activities for inclusion on the monthly activities calendar.
• Lead programs using activity zones or parallel programming to meet the needs of residents in the assigned area.
• Provide appropriate individual resident interventions during group activities and in the unit milieu.
• Set up activity areas, including moving furniture and equipment to create an appropriate environment for recreation programs.
• Document resident attendance in established program records.
• Assist with coordinating community trips for residents.
• Transport residents to and from scheduled activities and program areas.
• Print large wall calendars and hang monthly calendars in designated areas.
• Deliver resident care appropriate to residents’ growth, development, and ages.
• Create a homelike environment and decorate for seasonal and holiday observances.
• Provide timely, professional, caring, respectful, patient, and helpful customer service.
• Maintain departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance, safety, environmental, and infection control standards.
• Assess gaps in policies and procedures and create necessary procedures to address them.
• Understand and follow the Medical Center’s Code of Conduct and become familiar with its Mission, Vision, and Values Statements.
• Assist residents during mealtimes as needed.
• Attend services and educational programs to support professional growth.
• Assist with preparation for special events, including parties and trips.
• Identify problems and contribute to departmental problem-solving related to patient care.
• Attend scheduled staff meetings and maintain communication with staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned in support of department and organizational objectives.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Generous time off policy, including vacation days, personal time, sick leave, and nine paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Continuing education programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED