Activity Aide

The Alden Network; Long Grove (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alden Network is seeking an Activity Assistant to support the Activity Director and help implement the daily activity calendar, ensuring the highest quality of life for residents. The role emphasizes empathy, communication, and a person-centered approach to activities.

Responsibilities include coordinating assessments, documenting progress, and engaging residents in daily activities while coordinating with staff and the community. A high school diploma and IL driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 1 year healthcare or related experience.
• Knowledge of Federal and State activity regulations.
• Ability to read and write English.
• May prefer bilingual abilities.
• Must have a valid IL driver’s license.
• Must be punctual and time efficient, especially with the activity calendar.
• Empathy, compassion, enthusiasm, and positive energy to interact with residents, families, and staff.
• Able to relate to ill, disabled, elderly, and emotionally upset individuals.
• Effective communication with community, health professionals, and agencies.
• Understand and manage own and staff emotional needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide feedback to Activity Director for monitoring achievement of facility goals.
• Lead a therapeutic, person-centered activity program to enhance residents’ quality of life.
• Follow all Activity Policies, Procedures, and regulations.
• Develop person-centered activity plans based on resident backgrounds and needs.
• Schedule and conduct daily activities reflecting residents’ choices and rights.
• Coordinate language services and communication needs for residents.
• Conduct initial and ongoing assessments (social, medical, cognitive, etc.).
• Document and maintain required records and Activity plans.
• Update activity boards monthly with a creative theme.
• Engage with community and plan resident outings.
• Coordinate with staff and volunteers as a team.
• Maintain on-time activities and calendar; no cancellations without permission.
• Maintain equipment and supplies; request repairs as needed.
• Update calendars and boards daily.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Empathy

Compassion

Communication

Teamwork

Punctuality

Bi-lingual

English literacy

IL driver's license

Interpersonal skills

Resilience

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Activity Assistant

Responsible for performing daily activity calendar requirements set by the Activity Director. Required to support and follow the Activity Program's mission, philosophy, policies, and procedures, as well as state and federal regulations. Achieve and maintain the highest quality of life for each resident, with understanding of all psychosocial, medical, and activity needs/preferences.

Qualifications

• Hold a high school education or equivalent.

• Have at least 1 year experience working in the healthcare field, volunteering, or personal experience with the disabled population.

• Current knowledge of Federal and State activity regulations and/or ability to understand and interpret.

• Be able to read and write English.

• May prefer bi-lingual abilities based on individual facilities.

• Must have a valid, IL driver's license.

• Must be punctual and time efficient, especially as it relates to following the activity calendar.

• Possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, personable, energetic, positive, and humorous in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.

• Must be able to relate and work with ill, disabled, elderly, emotionally upset, and at times hostile people.

• Must be able to communicate effectively with the community, other health professionals, outside professional organizations, senior services, government agencies, and any other provider or professional in the community.

• Understand and be able to manage emotional needs of yourself and the staff.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to push, pull, or carry 50 pounds.

• May be required to lift equipment, supplies, and occasionally move furniture.

• Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday.

• Must function independently, have flexibility, personal integrity, and the ability to work effectively with residents, family members, personnel, and support.

Essential Functions

• Provide feedback to Activity Director for monitoring achievement of facility and program goals through a team approach.

• Lead a therapeutic, person-centered activity program, which constantly strives to enhance the quality of life of each resident and meets the Activity Mission and Philosophy.

• Follow all Activity Policies and Procedures and Federal and State regulations.

• Become knowledgeable of each individual resident's background, cultural, life history, disease, and medical care needs in detail to ensure an appropriate person-centered activity plan.

• Activities shall be daily and shall reflect the schedules, choices, and rights of the residents.

• Be able to understand communication needs of residents, such as language services, communication boards, etc.

• Per direction of the Activity Director, conduct, oversee, and complete initial and all on-going assessments, including but not limited to social, medical, cognitive, communication abilities, spiritual needs, physical, neuro-psychological, behavioral, amongst others as it relates to individual activity/leisure.

• Document and complete all required documentation per Activity Director.

• Maintain the following records: Resident Daily Participation, Resident Progress notes, Leisure Interest Survey, and Activity Planning sheets to assist in scheduling and meeting resident needs.

• Assist to update activity boards through direction of the Activity Director, with a monthly theme that is creative, neat, and clean.

• Facilitate community involvement, such as inviting the community to events and programs.

• Assist in resident outings, which can include but not limited to shopping centers, movies, restaurants, community events, etc. that may also entail driving residents to and from the resident outing.

• Follow Activity staff schedules with a team approach and continuity of care.

• Work as team with staff and volunteers.

• Must maintain structure of activity schedule and conduct all activities on-time; May not cancel an activity without permission of Activity Director.

• Must maintain equipment and supplies in good clean order. Must notify Activity Director within 48 hours if any new materials are needed for scheduled activities and when repairs are needed.

• Must update calendars and boards daily.

• Perform other duties as assigned.