Activity Director

ALIYA Healthcare Consulting; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated Activity Coordinator to enhance the quality of life for residents through engaging programs and activities. This role involves planning, supervising, and implementing a variety of activities tailored to meet the needs and interests of residents, ensuring their emotional, social, and cognitive well-being. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in recreation therapy and a passion for fostering a supportive community environment. Join a team that values creativity and compassion in delivering exceptional care and support to residents, making a meaningful impact in their lives every day.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy required.
• Two years’ experience in a social or recreational program preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement activities for residents' well-being.
• Supervise activity staff and ensure resident engagement.
• Coordinate community resources for activities.

Skills

Communication Skills

Supervision

Planning

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy

Certification as an occupational therapist

Job description

Basic Function

To manage, communicate, supervise, plan and carry out activities which meet the needs of all residents.

Essential Duties

1. Planning and implementation of individual and group activities.
2. Schedules events that promote physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being.
3. Activities provided during days, evenings, and weekends.
4. Utilizes community resources within and outside of the facility.
5. Carries out activities as part of resident care.
6. Incorporates residents' interests into activities.
7. Gives residents opportunities for choices and self-expression.
8. Identifies and provides adaptive devices for those with sensory deficits (e.g., large-print books, tape recorders).
9. Promotes self-esteem and social interaction among residents.
10. Identifies and provides activities for those with special needs (e.g., depressed, terminally ill, bedridden).
11. Encourages participation and involvement of all residents.
12. Posts monthly and weekly schedules throughout the facility.
13. Directs updates to the schedule and bulletin boards.
14. Prepares for and participates in resident care meetings.
15. Completes and updates resident assessments in a timely manner.
16. Provides activities that relate to residents' interests before they came to this facility.
17. Provides opportunities for residents to learn new skills and develop new interests.
18. Maintains a clean work and storage environment.
19. Uses proper body mechanics.
20. Follows proper infection control procedures.
21. Observes for resident safety when in resident care.
22. Charts legibly, with standard grammar and spelling.
23. Adheres to legal requirements and proper policies and procedures in documentation.
24. Coordinates religious services relevant to the needs and varied faiths of residents.
25. Accompanies and assists clergy as needed.
26. Prepares sites and materials for activities.
27. Maintains equipment in safe and functional condition.
28. Treats residents and staff with respect and dignity.
29. Adheres to all facility and department safety policies and procedures.
30. Provides consistent supervision of activity aides regarding duties, documentation, and work performance.
31. Gives clear and specific instructions to activity staff.
32. Provides timely evaluations and appropriate disciplinary actions when necessary.
33. Adjusts and schedules activity staff to accommodate resident needs and code requirements.
34. Possesses and applies knowledge of state/federal guidelines to Activity programs.
35. Informs appropriate personnel of identified needs, changes, and concerns.
36. Stays within established budget for activities.
37. Participates in Administrator-directed activities as needed.
38. Identifies needed areas of staff development and communicates with the In-service Director.
39. Responds appropriately and in a timely manner to questions/concerns regarding Activity programs.
40. Meets with staff monthly and as needed to discuss changes and concerns.
41. Contacts local newspaper regarding press releases.
42. Directs the writing of facility newsletters.
43. Recruits, orients, and supervises activity staff.
44. Assesses needs regarding retention and recruitment of staff; makes recommendations to management.
45. Recruits, interviews, and hires needed activity staff.
46. Orients and instructs staff in policies and procedures of the facility and the Activity department.

Supervision Received

Receives supervision from the Administrator.

Supervision Provided

Provides supervision to staff and volunteers of the activity department.

Qualifications

• No convictions for abuse, neglect, or mistreatment or for misappropriation of resident property.
• Prompt and regular attendance.
• Bachelor's degree in recreation therapy and eligibility for registration as a therapeutic recreation specialist with the national therapeutic recreation association.
• Two years’ experience in a social or recreational program within the past five years, one year of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or
• Certification as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant by the American Occupational Therapy Association.

• If not a qualified activity coordinator, must receive at least a monthly consultation from a qualified activity coordinator.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to read, write, and make simple calculations and follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements

Note: In terms of an 8-hour workday, "Occasionally" equals 1% to 33%; "Frequently" 34% to 66%; "Continuously," 67% to 100%.

1. Employee’s job requires:

Not at all Occasionally Frequently Continuously

Bend: x

Stoop: x

Squat: x

Crawl: x

Climb-Height: x

Reach above shoulder level: x

Crouch: x

Kneel: x

Balance: x

Push/Pull: x

1. Lifting Requirements:

Never	Occasionally	Frequently	Continuously
Up to 10 lbs	x
11-24 lbs	x
25-34 lbs	x
35-50 lbs	x
51-74 lbs	x
75-100 lbs	x

Job requires employees to use hands for repetitive action such as:

Yes No Comments

Working on unprotected heights: x

Being around moving machinery: x

Exposure to marked changes in temperature and humidity: x

Driving automotive equipment: x

Exposure to dust, fumes, and gases: x

Working Conditions

• Works in well-lit and noisy environments.
• Subject to interaction with personnel, visitors, and state and federal agency personnel.
• Occasionally subject to hostile or emotionally upset individuals.
• Provided with necessary protective equipment.
• Frequent changes between hot and cold work environments.

This description has been prepared to assist in properly evaluating various classes of responsibilities, skills, working conditions, etc., present in the classification. It is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and characteristic levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities nor is it intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind and level of difficulty.