Activity Assistant

Kaizen Lab Inc.; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaizen Lab Inc. is seeking an Activity Assistant to support planning, organizing, developing and implementing resident activity programs within the facility.

You will assist in coordinating group and individual activities, communicating with residents and families, and helping transport and supervise activities to ensure engagement and safety.

Role requires following care plans, participating in committees as needed, and performing light clerical tasks to support the activities department.

Qualifications

• Must possess a High School Diploma or GED.
• Must read, write, speak and understand English.
• Must have a minimum of six (6) months of experience in a social or recreational program within the last five years, preferably within a health care setting.
• Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Must be able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs, goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providing activity services.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities based on residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.
• Assist in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of the resident and family as directed by the Activity Director.
• Assist in maintaining a balance of recreational activities based on the particular demographics of the residents.
• Assist in coordination of activity schedules with other departments as necessary.
• Communicate residents’ programs to residents, residents’ families, volunteers, and facility staff.
• Decorates monthly bulletin boards indicating future activities, holiday themes, and/or picture review of past activities.

Skills

English proficiency

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Title:ActivityAssistant

Job Code:ACT003

Dept:Activities

FLSA Status:Non-Exempt

JOBSUMMARY:

Theprimary purpose of the Activity Assistant position is to assist in planning,organizing, developing and implementing the resident activity programs of thefacility.

JOBDUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administrative Functions

• Assistin planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities basedon residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.
• Assistin community planning related to the interests of the facility and the servicesand needs of the resident and family as directed by the Activity Director.
• Assistin maintaining a balance of recreational activities based on the particulardemographics of the residents.
• Assistin coordination of activity schedules with other departments as necessary.
• Communicateresidents’ programs to residents, residents’ families, volunteers, and facilitystaff.
• Decoratesmonthly bulletin boards indicating future activities, holiday themes, and/orpicture review of past activities.
• Assistsin transportation of residents within the facility from one area of activity toanother.
• Participatein group activities to ensure maximum involvement by interested residents.
• Helpread incoming mail, and address and post outgoing mail upon the resident’srequest.
• Arrangetransportation for field trips as requested.

MiscellaneousActivity Functions

• Assistin making appointments for the residents as requested.
• Assistin scheduling movies, planning parties, and providing games/activities forresidents.
• Encourageresidents to participate in hobbies, crafts and other activities. Providematerials as necessary.
• Superviseactivities as necessary in the absence of the Director and/or AssistantDirector.
• Providereading materials in various formats i.e., Braille, tapes, large print, etc. asnecessary.
• Assistin providing library services for residents through cooperation with local library.
• Makeroutine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc.as necessary.
• Assistin arranging for special events i.e., bazaars, picnics, birthdays,anniversaries as necessary.
• Assistbed bound residents by visiting them, writing letters, running errands,reading, etc.
• Performclerical duties as assigned by Activity Director or Assistant Director.
• Performdaily, weekly and Monthly duties as described on attached Addendum.

CarePlan, Assessment and Documentation Functions

• Assistthe Activity Director in developing comprehensive assessments and progressnotes of the activity needs of each resident.
• Recognizeabnormal signs and symptoms that may signify a physical change in resident’scondition that could require nursing intervention. Report changes to chargenurse and Activity Director.
• Developand maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan toensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan ofcare.

CommitteeFunctions

• Serveon, participate in, and/or attend various committees of the facility asrequested by the Activity Director.
• Providewritten and/or oral reports of the programs and activities as required by thecommittee.
• Assistthe Activity Director in evaluating and implementing recommendations fromestablished committees as they may relate to activity services.
• Assistin planning, organizing and implementing group and individual activities basedon residents’ individual needs as identified in residents’ health care plans.

StaffDevelopment Functions

• Assistthe Activity Director in orienting new associates, activity personnel and/orvolunteers to the activity department.

Equipmentand Supply Functions

• Reviewand inventory activity supplies and equipment and recommend to the ActivityDirector the equipment and supply needs of the department.
• Assistin conducting periodic checks of equipment to assure that all equipment is ingood working order.
• Checksupply rooms to be sure that activity supplies are on hand to conduct scheduledactivities.
• Ensurethat appropriate cleaning supplies are on hand to perform necessary activityand departmental cleaning functions.

Safetyand Sanitation Functions

• Assistin the development of safety standards for the activity department.
• Monitorvolunteers to assure they are following established safety and infectioncontrol regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ensurethat department work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safemanner.
• Followall facility infection control, communicable disease, isolation and hazardousconditions policies and procedures.
• Besure that protective clothing/devices are on hand for handling infectious wasteand/or blood/body fluids.

ResidentRights Responsibilities

• Maintainthe confidentiality of all resident care information.
• Knockbefore entering a resident’s room.
• Ensurethat all activity personnel are knowledgeable of the resident’s right andresponsibilities, including the right of refusal.
• Reviewcomplaints made by the resident and make a written/oral report to the ActivityDirector indicating what action/s were taken to resolve the complaint and thecurrent status of the complaint.
• Participatein resident/group council meetings as requested and provide support services tosuch council.

WorkingConditions

• Worksin office areas as well as throughout the facility.
• Movesintermittently during work hours.
• Issubject to frequent interruptions.
• Isinvolved with residents, personnel, visitors, government agencies/personnel,under all conditions and circumstances.
• Issubject to hostile and emotionally upset residents, family members, personneland visitors.
• Communicateswith the medical staff, nursing personnel and other department supervisors.
• Worksbeyond normal working hours and in other positions temporarily, when necessary.Works on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Issubject to callback during emergency conditions.
• Attendsand participates in continuing educational programs.
• Issubject to injury from falls, burns from equipment, odors, etc., throughout theworkday, as well as to reactions from dust, plastics, synthetics,disinfectants, tobacco smoke, and other potential contaminants.
• Issubject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, conditions, etc. includingTB, AIDS and Hepatitis B viruses.
• Maybe subject to the handling of and exposure to hazardous chemicals.
• Maintainsa liaison with the resident, their families, support departments, etc. toadequately plan for the residents’ needs.

JOBREQUIREMENTS:

Education

• Mustpossess, as a minimum, a High School Diploma or GED.

Experience

• Musthave a minimum of six (6) months of experience in a social or recreationalprogram within the last five years preferably within a health care setting.

Specific Requirements

• Mustbe able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
• Mustdisplay professionalism both in appearance and attitude.
• Mustpossess the ability to solve problems and make independent decisions whencircumstances warrant such action.
• Mustgenuinely care for and understand the elderly and disabled.
• Mustpossess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, familymembers, visitors, government agency personnel and the general public.
• Mustpossess the ability and the willingness to work harmoniously with otherpersonnel.
• Mustbe able to plan, organize, develop, implement and interpret the programs,goals, objectives, policies and procedures that are necessary for providingactivity services.
• Musthave patience, tact, a positive disposition and enthusiasm, as well as thewillingness to handle difficult people.
• Mustbe willing to seek out new methods and principles and be willing to incorporatethem into existing activities practices.
• Mustbe able to relate information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Mustnot pose a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in theworkplace.

Physical and Sensory Requirements (with or without the aid of mechanical devices)

• Mustbe able to move continuously throughout the workday.
• Mustbe able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.
• Mustbe able to see and hear or use prosthetics that will enable these senses tofunction adequately to ensure that the requirements of this position can befully met.
• Mustfunction independently and have flexibility, personal integrity, and theability to work effectively with residents, families, personnel, and supportagencies.
• Mustmeet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of thisfacility, which may include a medical and physical examination.
• Mustbe able to relate to and work with the ill, disabled, elderly, emotionallyupset, and at times, hostile people within the facility.
• Mustbe able to push, pull, move, and/or lift a minimum of 10pounds to a minimum height of 5 feet and be able to push, pull,move, and/or carry such weight a minimum distance of 5 feet.
• Maybe necessary to assist in the evacuation of residents during emergencysituations.
• Sitting: 1-2 hour per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing andwalking.
• Standing: 4-5 hours per 8-hour shift. Alternates frequently to walking andoccasionally to sitting.
• Walking: 2-3 hours per 8 hour shift. Alternates frequently to standing andoccasionally to sitting.
• Lifting: 1-10 lbs. Continuously
• 11-20 lbs. Occasionally
• 21-35 lbs. Rarely
• 36-50 lbs. Rarely
• 51-75 lbs. Rarely
• > 75 lbs. Rarely
• Carrying: 1-10 lbs. Continuously
• 11-20 lbs. Rarely
• 21-35 lbs. Rarely