Director of Activities

Job Details: Salary Range: Undisclosed, Accepts 7-day/week, 24-hour/day responsibility for planning, organizing, directing, implementing and evaluating Residents’ activity programs to ensure that individual social, educational, recreational, emotional, and spiritual needs are addressed within the parameters established by current Long-Term Care regulations.

Promotes positive interpersonal relationships throughout the facility and community. Principal Duties and Responsibilities  Assure Resident safety at all times.  Willing to address each Resident with his/her preferred name as well as learn and abide by Residents’ Rights, rules and regulations.  Commitment to work well with other staff avoiding petty conflicts that disrupt a productive work environment.

Does not participate in facility gossip and rumors.  Ascertain and interpret group interests, evaluate equipment and facilities, and adapt activities to meet participant needs.  Plans, develops, organizes, implements, directs and evaluates facility’s activity programs according to written objectives.  Willing to receive consultation from others more qualified by education or experience.

 Coordinates activity programs with other facility activities and services to avoid conflicting events.  Establishes and maintains positive rapport with administration, interdepartmental personnel, volunteers, Residents, visitors and outside agency representatives.  Emphasizes interdepartmental cohesiveness in achieving facility objectives.

 Assigns duties to assistants and volunteers based on abilities and qualifications with consideration to individual Residents needs and physical layout of the facility.  Ensures that activities plan of care is routinely reviewed and revised with input from other professionals, Residents and/or significant others.  Utilizes standardized methodologies to assess and plan activities for individual Residents in correlation with the Physician’s medical plan of care.

Ensures compliance with current professional standards, federal, state and local regulations.  Assists Residents in the organization and maintenance of a self-governing Resident council to ensure Residents’ Rights are respected.  Provides input into departmental budgetary preparation.  Accurately completes documentation in the clinical records of individual Residents regarding involvement in response to activities.

 Ensures that Resident needs are effectively addressed.  Collaborates with other professionals to implement Interdisciplinary Care Plan.  Identifies individual spiritual, social, recreational and emotional needs by performing initial assessment, obtaining input from Resident and privately interviewing family members or significant others.

 Coordinates wide variety of activities.  Schedules social and recreational events such as: parties for special occasions, movies/music, games, outside activities/entertainment, exercise, crafts and other activities requested by Residents and/or family members.  Establishes interdenominational religious events at least weekly.

 Provides intellectual challenge or stimulation by maintaining ample reading material in large print, providing "talking" material for blind, and inviting guest speakers.  Assists in keeping alert Residents aware of current news events.  Considerate of individual as well as group interests.  Encourages therapeutic activities that will positively contribute to restorative and rehabilitative goals for Residents.

 Assures preservation of dignity, individuality and independence, reports any violation of Residents’ Rights to the charge nurse, Assistant Director of Nursing, Director of Nursing, or Executive Director immediately.  Promotes positive self-esteem and independence by encouraging participation in activities that commensurate with abilities and interests and by praising accomplishments.

 Assists Residents to participate in civic events as requested.  Maintain confidentiality of all activities, persons, and records.  Ensures adherence to Residents’ Rights by respecting privacy, allowing verbalization of complaints or dissatisfaction and reporting any situations or individuals that fail to comply with Residents’ Rights.

 Assists in establishing and maintaining a clean, safe and pleasant working environment.  Reports unsafe/hazardous conditions immediately.  Publicizes activities by maintaining updated, easily read and highly visible schedule of activities.  Regular attendance, interaction with employees, and provide important and valuable service for the facility’s Residents is an integral requirement for this position to accomplish the work.

It is anticipated that this position cannot be completed within 40 hours per week.  Announces selected items over facility loudspeaker.  Resident preferences are followed when providing care and service.  Maintain Resident privacy, values and right for decision making.  Legally and safely operate automotive equipment.

 Adhere to and comply with any applicable facility insurance guidelines to enable coverage under the policy.  Immediately notify Executive Director for any injury, illness, or if develop a condition, that might impact the aptitude to perform job functions. Ancillary Duties and Responsibilities  Perform duties in compliance with established policies and procedures.

 Note changes in Resident’s condition and report immediately to charge nurse or Director of Nursing.  Notifies family members or significant others of special events.  Arranges press releases to newspapers, radio and television about special events as approved by Executive Director.  Arranges for sale of items made by Residents (requires prior Executive Director approval).

 Prepares newsletter for distribution on a regular basis as approved by Executive Director.  Assists in ensuring effective orientation of all new employees in accordance with the orientation manual.  Maintains a professional relationship with each physician.  Identifies self when conversing with physician or office staff.

 Maintains activities and subsequent documentation in compliance with physicians’ plan of care.  Records information received from assessments and interviews within seven (7) days of new Resident admission.  Documents direct observations or Resident’s response to activities no less than quarterly and more often when applicable to medical plan of care.

Consults with physician when planning and developing therapeutic activities.  Ensures that activity selections are in compliance with physician’s orders.  Implements in-room activities when necessary.  Creates and maintains an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis throughout the facility.  Make routine rounds to speak to Residents, visitors and staff.

 Involves community volunteers in facility activities.  Participates in community planning related to facility interests and Resident needs.  Remains receptive to Resident, family and visitor complaints by hearing complaints and making referrals to appropriate department head.  Documents and reports complaints and follow-up to Executive Director.

 Activity programs comply with current federal, state and local regulations.  Documentation in clinical record adheres to current policies, procedures and regulations.  Submits timely incident report regarding unusual occurrences.  Particularly attentive to safety when transporting Residents to activities.  Performs ongoing quality Assurance Reviews of department.

 Annually reviews and suggests updates for departmental policies and procedures.  Maintains current, accurate records of special funds for activity projects.  Involved in budgetary process.  Make recommendations regarding supplies and equipment to Executive Director.  Maintains supplies within budgetary guidelines.

 Advise Executive Director about required staffing and qualifications to meet demands of planned activities.  Retains invoices or receipts of all items purchased for activities.  Maintains current professional awareness.  Receiving consultations from more qualified individuals when indicated.  Ensures smooth workflow by assigning duties based on individual’s abilities and qualifications.

 Meets deadlines in preparation of department timecards for payroll.  Effectively supervises departmental employees.  Maintains a professional, cooperative and courteous attitude at all times.  Reports on/off duty as scheduled.  Participates in meetings and committees as assigned by arriving on time and participating in discussions related to area of expertise.

 Coordinates activities with other departments and disciplines and obtains Executive Director’s approval before scheduling special events.  Verbalizes support of the facility management, staff and consultant staff.  Participates in employee health and safety program by knowing and following infection control policies.

 Using proper body mechanics when assisting Residents and staff or when lifting heavy objects.  Responds according to policies and procedures during fire/disaster drills and emergencies.  Demonstrates a progressive attitude regarding implementation of necessary changes.  Establishes and achieves a minimum of two (2) professional objectives in a twelve-month period.

 Has personal goals for self-fulfillment.  Participates in professional association to maintain current information and networking.  Reads current literature related to Long-Term Care activities.  Maintains current professional knowledge by attending seminars, workshops, conferences, etc. as authorized.  Strives to promote own professional growth by utilizing new ideas and updated knowledge to enhance job performance.

 Receptive to constructive feedback from supervisors and co-workers.  Accepts additional assignments within scope of education, training or experience. Resident Rights  Maintain the confidentiality of all Resident care information including protected health information. Report known or suspected incidents of unauthorized disclosure of such information.

 Ensure that the Resident’s rights to fair and equitable treatment, self-determination, individuality, privacy, property and civil rights, including the right to wage complaints, are well established and maintained at all times.  Review Resident complaints and grievances and make written reports of action taken. Discuss such actions with Resident and family as appropriate.

Safety and Sanitation  Ensure that you and all facility personnel, Residents, visitors, etc., follow established safety regulations, to include fire protection/prevention, smoking regulations, infection control, etc.  Ensure that the building and grounds are maintained in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner as well as in good working order by reporting all concerns to the Executive Director.

 Ensure that you and all facility personnel follow established regulations governing the use of labels and SDSs for hazardous chemicals.  Ensure that facility procedure manuals identify safety precautions and equipment to use when performing tasks that could cause bodily injury or exposure to a hazardous chemical or infectious waste.

 Ensure that you and all facility personnel follow established ergonomics policies and procedures to prevent self-injury.  Ensure that you and all facility personnel performing tasks that involve potential exposure to blood, body fluids, or hazardous chemicals are appropriately trained prior to performing such tasks.

Qualifications

 Licensed/registered by state in which practicing, or eligible for certification as a therapeutic specialist, activities professional, or occupational therapist/occupational therapy assistant.  Sincere desire to work with elders and others who have a limited capacity for self-care.  Possesses the capacity to quickly establish positive rapport with Residents, family and facility staff.

 Mental and physical capacity to perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.  Work with and provide care to individuals of a wide range of personality types and maturity levels.  Demonstrate creative initiative and mature judgment in making competent decisions.  Consistently maintain courteous, empathetic, and professional attitude.

 Two (2) years’ experience in a social or recreational program within the past five (5) years, one (1) of which was full-time in a Resident activities program in a health care setting; or has completed a training course approved by the state.  Transportation accessible to enable flexibility of work schedule.  Communicate and comprehend orally and in writing to effectively receive and share information as necessary to perform job duties.

 Knowledge of computer applications relating to job. Work Environment WORKING ENVIRONMENT: All statements addressed in the "Working Hours," "Environment" and "Physical/Sensory Demands" sections below are applicable to all jobs maintained by the employer. Working Hours: The employee will  Be employed on a full-time basis.

May be subject to change after employment.  Work unusual hours as necessary and as required.  Be expected and required to adhere to policies and procedures regarding attendance. Environment: The employee will  Work in a well-lighted, heated or air-conditioned, ventilated area, unless otherwise noted.  Be subject to frequent interruptions.

 At times be subjected to falls, cuts, bruises, caustic substances, infectious diseases and odors.  At times be subjected to hostile and emotionally upset family members and Residents.  Be expected to work cooperatively with others.  Be expected to handle multiple tasks effectively and organize work efficiently.  Be expected to show courtesy to co-workers, Residents, families and others with whom contact is made while on the job.

 Be expected to maintain a professional attitude and good relations with co-workers.  Be economical and careful with use of supplies and equipment.  Adhere to established policies and procedures including safety regulations to ensure that quality Resident care is maintained at all times. Physical/Sensory Demands: The employee must  Often walk for long periods or long distances within the building, or sit, stand and walk intermittently.

 Frequently carry up to 50 pounds and move up to 75 pounds.  Occasionally squat, bend/stoop, push/pull, climb, reach above shoulder level, crouch, kneel, balance, carry and move up to 75 pounds.  Perform repetitive hand and foot action with or without reasonable accommodation.  Communicate information and ideas orally and in writing, and in a manner that others will understand.

 Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.  Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.  Respond to and assist with emergency procedures, including evacuation of Residents from the building.  Hear, with or without the aid of mechanical devices, adequately enough to respond to soft, verbal communications and instructions and answering of telephone.

 Read and see, with or without the aid of mechanical devices, and respond to and/or interpret written material or instructions.  Be free of all communicable diseases and agree to testing of same, under which federal and/or state regulations would prevent you from working at this facility. Risk Classification All employees performing within this job classification are at high risk of exposure to blood/body fluids or potentially infectious waste when performing certain tasks within the job requirements.

Confirmation of Receipt The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

I have read, understand and will abide by the contents of this job description. I hereby verify that I have received a written description of the job for which I am being employed, and I have been given the opportunity to ask questions about the essential and ancillary functions of the position. I further verify that I possess the skills required for this position and I am able to perform the essential functions of the job described, with or without reasonable accommodations, and I certify that I have requested any reasonable accommodations that may be required at this time.

I further certify that I acknowledge my responsibility to request accommodations should they become necessary in the future, whether through change in my circumstance or through a change in the requirements of any position or task to which I am assigned.