Director of Activities

New England Homes for The Deaf, Inc; Danvers (MA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

New England Homes for The Deaf, Inc. seeks a Director of Activities to lead a comprehensive social and recreational program for residents at our Danvers, MA home.

The role requires planning, staff leadership, and collaboration with nursing and administration to enhance residents’ social and emotional well-being. Responsibilities include hiring and supervising Activities staff, coordinating events, maintaining documentation, and participating in care planning meetings.

Qualifications

• Must have therapeutic recreation credentials or state licensure where applicable.
• Minimum 2 years in a social or recreational program, with at least 1 year in healthcare.
• ASL knowledge and Deaf culture awareness is a plus; on-site weekly ASL classes.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to the Activities staff and guide program delivery.
• Tailor activities for varying physical and cognitive abilities and interests.
• Maintain accurate resident participation documentation and program compliance.
• Develop monthly activity plans after discussion with administration.
• Hire and manage Activities staff; coordinate scheduling and vacations.
• Coordinate special events, holidays, and community outings.
• Attend management and care plan meetings with interdisciplinary team.
• Provide updated MDS forms as residents' needs change.
• Participate in ongoing evaluation of the activities program.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Creativity

Staff management

Documentation

Planning

ASL awareness

Education

Certified Recreation Therapist

Certified Activity Director (NCCAP)

Licensed/Registered Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA)

Job description

POSITION: Director of Activities

REPORTS TO: CEO

DEPARTMENT: Activities

STATUS: Exempt, Full-Time

LOCATION: 154 Water Street, Danvers, MA 01923

Position Summary:

To provide a varied social and recreational program that motivates and stimulates the social and emotional lives of residents. These activities must be conducted in large groups, small groups, and independent sessions.

Responsibilities:

• Strong leadership skills with the ability to inspire and guide a team.
• Creativity and adaptability-able to tailor activities for varying physical and cognitive abilities.
• Excellent communication skills and a genuine passion for working with older adults.
• Ability to maintain accurate documentation for resident participation and program compliance.
• Structure, plans, schedule, and posts in advance, an activities program for the month, after discussion with administration.
• Interviews and hires all Activities Staff, with assistance from the Human Resources Director.
• Approves/denials of vacation days and time off.
• Hire staff in the Department and coordinate staffing, as needed.
• Continually meet with Activities staff to discuss scheduling, resident needs, issues and concerns for the Activities program and changes in calendars.
• Monitors Activities Staff as they work with residents.
• Monitors daily Activity Logs for residents.
• Monitors employee conduct and job performance of all Activities Staff.
• Conducts yearly Employee Reviews.
• Coordinates scheduling needs for Activities Programs.
• Coordinates staff replacement due to illness or vacation day.
• Develop individualized activity plans that align with each resident's abilities, interests, and care needs.
• Coordinate special events, holiday celebrations, and outings that bring residents together and connect them with the broader community.
• Secures entertainment well in advance of the date and confirms the appointment the day before.
• Arranges for clergymen to conduct services of worship in the Home, confirms appointment the day before, and prepares the area to be used, per chaplain's instructions.
• Participate in daily morning meetings to discuss resident needs and concerns.
• Attend all management meetings.
• Interviews and hires all Volunteers for activities programs.
• Meets with nursing staff for weekly Care plan Meeting to discuss specific residents and their current plan of care, making changes to resident's activity levels, when needed.
• Participate in care plan meetings with interdisciplinary team.
• Provides updated MDS forms for each resident, based on their changing needs and interests.
• Participates with administration in a regular ongoing evaluation of the activities program.
• Advertise volunteer needs … (truncated?)

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

COMPANY COMPLIANCE Duties: Must adhere to the Company's Code of Conduct and business Ethics policy, including documentation and reporting responsibilities.

STAFF DEVELOPMENT Duties: Attend and participate in educational activities, in-service training, and staff meetings; assist in orientation and training other staff.

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT Duties: Participate in Quality Improvement activities as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES Duties: Other duties as assigned or needed.

Required Experience:

Therapeutic recreation specialist or is licensed or registered, if applicable, by State in which practicing and is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activity professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; or

Minimum of 2 years' experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting; or is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or has completed a training course approved by the State.

Knowledge of American Sign Language and Deaf culture is a plus. Staff must participate in free, weekly ASL classes on-site.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Certified Recreation Therapist preferred or
• Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant or
• Certified Activity Director (NCCAP or state specific).

Disclaimer:

This description is designed to indicate the general nature and level of work for this position. It is not intended to describe minor duties or other responsibilities that may be periodically assigned.

I acknowledge and understand my job responsibilities:

Employee signature: _________________________Date: _____________________

Manager: __________________________Date: ___________________

A background check report may be obtained for employment purposes. The background check may show criminal records.