Activity Aide

The Alden Network; Skokie (IL); On-site; USD 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alden Network in Skokie, IL, is seeking a compassionate Activities Coordinator to implement the daily activity calendar under the guidance of the Activity Director. You will tailor programs to residents’ interests and ensure safety and compliance with regulations.

You will lead person-centered activities, document participation, coordinate community outings, and work closely with staff to enhance residents' quality of life through engaging, extracurricular options.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent.
• At least 1 year experience in healthcare.
• Knowledge of Federal and State activity regulations.
• Able to read and write English.
• Bilingual abilities preferred.
• Valid IL driver’s license.
• Punctual and time efficient.
• Empathy, compassion, enthusiasm, and energy to engage with residents, families, and staff.
• Able to relate to ill/disabled, elderly, emotionally upset residents.
• Able to communicate with community and health professionals.
• Understand and manage emotional needs of staff.

Responsibilities

• Provide feedback to Activity Director for monitoring achievement of facility and program goals.
• Lead a therapeutic, person-centered activity program to enhance quality of life for residents.
• Follow all Activity Policies and Procedures and Federal and State regulations.
• Become knowledgeable of each resident’s background to create person-centered activity plans.
• Plan daily activities reflecting residents’ schedules, choices, and rights.
• Address communication needs of residents (language services, boards, etc.).
• Conduct and oversee assessments (social, medical, cognitive, communication, etc.).
• Document and complete all required documentation per Activity Director.
• Maintain records: Resident Daily Participation, Progress notes, Leisure Interest Survey, and Planning sheets.
• Update activity boards monthly with thematic content.
• Facilitate community involvement and outings.
• Assist in resident outings to various venues.
• Follow staff schedules with a team approach.
• Work as a team with staff and volunteers.
• Maintain activity schedule structure and obtain permission before cancellations.
• Maintain equipment and supplies and notify if replacements are needed.
• Update calendars and boards daily.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Healthcare experience

English literacy

Empathy and compassion

Communication skills

Punctuality

Time management

IL driver’s license

Bilingual preferred

Interaction with residents

Emotional intelligence

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

• Responsible for performing the daily activity calendar requirements set by the Activity Director. Required to support and follow the Activity Program’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures and state and federal regulations. Will 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 off of 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 the 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.