ACTIVITIES ASSISTANT

KALESTA HEALTHCARE GROUP; Puyallup (WA); On-site; USD 47,793,000 - 60,174,000; Full time

Job summary

KALESTA HEALTHCARE GROUP in Puyallup, WA is seeking an Activity Assistant to provide therapeutic activities for residents, aiming to improve physical, mental and psychosocial well-being according to care plans. The role supports diverse activities, from individualized sessions to group events, aligned with facility policies and regulations.

The position reports to the Activity Director and requires familiarity with safety, documentation, and resident engagement during various shifts, including

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• License: None.
• Work Experience: 1 year experience in long-term geriatric nursing.
• Language Skills: Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information, and be easily understood through verbal communication in the English language.
• Mathematical Skills: Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional communication and customer service skills, empathetic.

Responsibilities

• Gather data from assigned residents to complete and update activity assessments and plans of care.
• Carry out individual and group activities that meet the functional levels, needs and interests of each resident.
• Provide activities to bed-bound residents and other residents confined to their rooms that reflect life-long interests and assist as needed.
• Adapt activities to match cognitive and physical levels using prompts and assistance.
• Assist in development of activity calendars and distribute to residents.
• Monitor for safety and report hazards or issues to supervisor.

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: Puyallup, WA 98372

Salary Range: $16.66 - $21.00 Hourly

Position: Activity Assistant

Job Summary: The Activity Assistant provides therapeutic activities to residents that are designed to meet the interests and to improve the physical, mental and psychosocial well‑being of each resident according to the comprehensive resident assessment and plan of care. Individual resident programs assist the resident to maintain life‑long interests and self‑esteem while promoting physical, cognitive and emotional functioning. Activities provided are in accordance with facility policies and procedures and consistent with county, state and federal laws and regulations, as applicable.

Reporting

This position reports to the Activity Director.

FLSA Status

Non‑Exempt

Essential Job Functions

• Gather data from assigned residents to complete and update activity assessments and plans of care. Communicate information to immediate supervisor.
• Carry out individual and group activities that meet the functional levels, needs and interests (including cultural and religious interests) of each resident.
• Provide activities to bed‑bound residents and other residents confined to their rooms that reflect life‑long interests (e.g., music, reading, visits with people of shared interests and in‑room projects) and that are appropriate to the individual’s functional abilities and level of participation. Assist residents with these activities as needed.
• Adapt activities to match the cognitive and physical functional levels of the residents through the use of task segmentation, verbal prompts, set‑up assistance, physical assists and demonstrations.
• Assist the Activity Director in development of activity calendars. Post calendar on resident units and distribute to residents.
• Monitor the physical environment for safety or fire hazards and correct or report potential problems immediately to supervisor or charge nurse. Promptly report housekeeping and maintenance problems to supervisor or charge nurse.
• Keep activity equipment and supplies in the proper storage areas. Maintain activity space in a clean and orderly manner that appears homelike and is safe for residents, including proper placement of furniture and orderly storage of equipment and supplies in drawers, cupboards, closets, etc. Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Activity Director.
• Assist the Activity Director with preparation for state and federal inspections. Interact with long‑term care state or federal surveyors as instructed by immediate supervisor.
• Attend survey training and all required in‑service education classes. Apply information learned to daily job tasks.
• Report injury to resident or self to supervisor or nursing supervisor immediately.
• Record information in resident records according to facility policy and as instructed by supervisor.
• Participate in fire and disaster drills. In the event of an emergency carry out assigned duties to assure resident safety.
• Assist with social dining program.

Job Functions

• Demonstrate knowledge of, and respect for, the rights, dignity and individuality of each resident in all interactions.
• Appreciate the importance of maintaining confidentiality of resident and facility information.
• Demonstrate honesty and integrity at all times in the care and use of resident and facility property.
• Carry out all duties in accordance with the facility mission and philosophy.
• Understand and follow written and verbal directions. Communicate effectively with staff members, volunteers and residents through verbal and/or written means.
• Interact appropriately with individuals who are cognitively and/or physically impaired.
• Know emergency and disaster procedures of facility.
• Have sufficient mobility and strength to move freely through the building, to assure resident safety at all times and to assist, transfer or otherwise move residents of facility out of danger in case of emergency.
• Show respect for co‑workers and respond to needs of residents by complying with facility policies on attendance, punctuality and dress code. Arrive and begin work on time and report for duty as scheduled on all shifts, including weekends and holidays.
• Have working knowledge and ability to comply with facility policies and procedures for workplace safety, including infection control procedures, application of universal precautions for blood‑borne pathogens, use of personal protective equipment and handling of hazardous materials.
• Demonstrate ability to prioritize tasks and responsibilities and complete duties/projects within allotted time.
• Respond to change productively and handle additional tasks/projects as assigned.
• Carry out the essential functions of this job (with or without reasonable accommodation) without posing specific, current risk of substantial harm to health and safety of self and others.
• Other duties as assigned.

Physical Capacities

• See and hear or use prosthetics that enable these senses to function adequately to ensure the requirements of this position can be fully met.
• Meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility, which includes an annual TB screening and physical examination.
• Lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
• Move intermittently during working hours.
• Stand for and walk for extended periods of time.
• Bend, squat, push, stoop and pull as needed, especially in fulfilling resident care activities.
• Coping with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

Environmental Conditions

Primarily inside work, normal temperatures, some noise, occasional fumes/odors, chemical exposure, and potential exposure to blood‑borne pathogens. The job cannot be performed without exposure to the stresses associated with an intimate, 24‑hour skilled care environment that delivers care and services primarily to disabled and cognitively impaired residents in an aging population. Examples of these stresses include emergency health or safety response, weekend and holiday duty, unusual or impaired behavior by residents, family reactions to having a loved one in a nursing home, death and dying, oversight of state surveyors, ombudsmen and federal officials, presence of consultants and attorneys, and variable involvement of medical staff.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Education: High School Diploma or equivalent.
• License: None.
• Work Experience: 1 year experience in long‑term geriatric nursing. Experience providing activities to individuals is preferred.
• Language Skills: Must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical information, and be easily understood through verbal communication in the English language.
• Mathematical Skills: Add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Perform these operations using units of weight measurement and volume.
• Communication Skills: Exceptional communication and customer service skills, empathetic. Effectively communicate with patients, families, responsible parties, staff and outside resources and agencies.