Resident Life & Activities Director

The Alden Network; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The Alden Network seeks a dedicated Activities Director to lead the activities department, ensuring the program adheres to mission, philosophy, and regulations while aiming to maximize life quality for each resident. Strong communication with staff, families, and community partners is essential.

The role requires interpretation of psychosocial, medical, and activity needs; implementation of person-centered plans; and ongoing staff education to support dementia and behavioral populations.

Qualifications

• Hold a high school education or equivalent.
• Three years of experience in group and individual activity programming.
• Must be able to read, write and speak English.
• Have experience and qualified marketing skills to effectively express the Alden’s Activity Program to the community, other health professionals, outside professional organizations, senior services, government agencies, and any other provider or professional in the community.
• Knowledgeable activity programming with the ability to effectively communicate these disease processes to managers, direct care staff, families, etc.
• Preferred associates or a bachelor’s degree, or education in Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Education, Social Services or equivalent.
• If the candidate does not have a CTRS, OTR/L, LSW or LCSW, then you must be able to complete the 36 Hour Basic Activity course (with requirements to be registered within 90 days of employment and completion by 180 days of employment).
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must have the sincere desire to work with a variety of populations that require long-term or short-term care.
• Possess a knowledge and ability to apply that knowledge to deal effectively with this population.
• Possess the ability to guide and direct staff in therapeutic approaches effective with the dementia and behavioral population on an-ongoing basis, if applicable.
• Possess the ability to make independent decisions in the best interest of residents, staff, and families.
• Possess the qualities of empathy, compassion, understanding, enthusiasm, and humor in order to effectively interact with residents, families, and staff.
• Willingness to be flexible regarding work hours in order to ensure quality of care.
• Understand and be able to manage emotional needs of yourself, and your staff.

Responsibilities

• Establish and monitor achievement of facility and program goals through a team approach.
• Develop and maintain a therapeutic person-centered activity program which constantly strives to enhance the quality of life of each resident and meet the Activity Mission and Philosophy.
• Maintain all Activity Policies and Procedures and State and Federal regulations.
• Conduct, oversee, and complete initial and all on-going assessments and MDS, CAAs and care planning initiatives, including but not limited to social, medical, cognitive, communication abilities, and spiritual needs, physical, neuro- psychological, and behavioral, amongst others as it relates to individual activity/leisure.
• Complete all required documentation.
• Create, educate, and implement any communication needs of residents, such as language services, communication boards, etc.
• Develop and conduct a resident activity orientation program, so that residents understand mission and procedures of activity programming
• 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.
• The program shall be designed in accordance with the individual resident’s needs, based on past and present lifestyle, cultural/ethnic background, interests, capabilities, and tolerance.
• Activities shall be daily and shall reflect the schedules, choices, and rights of the residents.
• 1:1 program implementation as needed with ongoing assessment and placement in the program.
• Develop, initiate, conduct, and maintain a volunteer program, which can include family and/or residents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

English proficiency

Marketing skills

Therapeutic communication

Staff guidance

Empathy

Flexibility

Education

High school diploma

Associate or bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Education, Social Services or equivalent

36 Hour Basic Activity course (if CTRS/OTR/LCSW not held)

Job description

The Alden Network seeks a dedicated Activities Director to lead the activities department, ensuring the program adheres to mission, philosophy, and regulations while aiming to maximize life quality for each resident. Strong communication with staff, families, and community partners is essential.

The role requires interpretation of psychosocial, medical, and activity needs; implementation of person-centered plans; and ongoing staff education to support dementia and behavioral populations.