Activity Aide - The Orchards : Job Details

Job Title: Activity Aide

Department: Activities

Reports To: Activity Director

FLSA Status: Non Exempt

Approved Date: January, 2023

Summary

Assists with activity programs at The Orchards' designated facility setting to meet the interests, physical, mental and psychosocial needs of each resident within facility policies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Teamwork with the following and all other duties and responsibilities assigned.

1. Assists with and conducts activities based on needs and interests of residents

2. Assists activities with outside vendors to entertain or conduct programs with residents.

3. Maintain communication with Activity Director regarding condition/change of resident.

4. Assists the Activity Director with various administrative tasks as necessary.

5. Encourage residents to participate in planned activities.

Other Responsibilities

1.Listen to resident's desires and needs for activity.

2. Assist with the distribution of activities schedules.

3. Coordinate resident escort to and from in-house and community based activities.

4. Decorate for holidays and other events.

5. Attend meetings and training session required for position.

Supervisory Responsibilities

None

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Prefer three to six months of related experience in Senior Activities. Complete annual state mandated training requirements (Regular In-services as well as any external training).

Language Skills

Ability to read and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations as they relate to geriatric activities in an assisted living, long term care or personal care facility. Ability to write initial, quarterly, and annual resident assessment reports, progress notes, individualized care plans, daily participation notes, and correspondence. Ability to present information and respond to questions from individuals and groups of managers, residents, family members, and the general public.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals in order to monitor inventory of supplies and equipment.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to deal with several abstract variables to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions when prioritizing work and that of subordinates, arranging alternate plans on a moment's notice, interpreting policies and government regulations as they relate to operational decisions, and handling situations that arise from residents, family members, supervisors, and employees. Ability to interpret and follow written and verbal instructions from supervisor and those furnished as diagrams (flow charts of processes) and schedules (calendars and spreadsheets of tasks to be performed).

Computer Skills

Uses e-mail to communicate with others internally and externally. Individual should also have knowledge of spreadsheet, database, and word processing software to create reports, calendars, and correspondence and to maintain state or federally mandated resident documentation.

Other Skills and Abilities

Skills in planning and leading activities for geriatric residents are needed. Requires additional skills with special-need geriatric residents, such as those with dementia, Alzheimer's, or those requiring advanced health care.

Medical Screenings

A Tuberculosis testing are required annually.

Mental Abilities

* The ability to get along with others and engage them in activities and projects

* The ability to concentrate for extended periods of time

* The ability to shift focus from one task to another

* The ability to prioritize tasks effectively

Other Skills and Abilities

Skills in planning and leading activities for geriatric residents are needed. Requires additional skills with special-need geriatric residents, such as those with dementia, Alzheimer's, or those requiring advanced health care.

Medical Screenings

A Tuberculosis testing are required annually.

Mental Abilities

* The ability to get along with others and engage them in activities and projects

* The ability to concentrate for extended periods of time

* The ability to shift focus from one task to another

* The ability to prioritize tasks effectively

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear when interacting with various individuals or groups and when communicating instructions to residents for performing activities. The employee is frequently required to stand during activities with residents and while conversing with various individuals; walk when doing a one-on-one activity with a resident, escorting residents to a planned activity, and in the course of performing activities with residents; sit at a desk when charting resident information or in a chair when doing an activity with residents; use hands to finger, handle, or feel when using the telephone or computer or to manipulate items or materials before, during, and after planned activities with residents (balloons, baking supplies, books, radios/tape players, musical instruments, etc.); reach with hands and arms for supplies, to assist residents with an activity or craft, to push residents in wheel chairs, or to walk with residents using a walker; and stoop, kneel, or crouch to communicate with residents, to assist residents with activities, and to place items in or get items from low drawers or shelves. The employee is occasionally required to balance while walking or standing in the course or performing the job. The employee is occasionally required to use his/her sense of taste during baking activities and sense of smell to detect odors within the resident units and emanating from the residents. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, which is generally supplies and furniture required for planned resident activities. The employee is regularly required to move up to 200 pounds when transporting residents by wheelchair to planned activities or for one-on-one activities. Specific vision abilities required by this job include: close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision in order to monitor residents at close range and at a distance and to maneuver residents in wheelchairs and with walkers through unit hallways; close vision for computer and paper detail work, reading or playing music, and observing residents during an activity; color vision to work with materials for activities involving craft materials or baking supplies and to review color-coded spreadsheets or documents; and depth perception and ability to adjust focus from far to near and from computer to desk or unit hallways.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to humid conditions in resident units; moving mechanical parts and risk of electrical shock from kitchen equipment; fumes from bathroom odors and cleaners; toxic chemicals that may be used to clean bathrooms and kitchen areas; outside weather conditions when performing outdoor activities, such as kickball, gardening, balloon catch, etc; and extreme heat in the departments due to keeping residents comfortable at warm temperatures. The employee may be exposed to airborne viruses, bacteria, and other bodily pathogens carried by residents. The noise level in the work environment can range from quiet while in a private office to loud when working near the dishwasher in the kitchen or participating in large-scale resident activities.

Job descriptions represent a general outline of job duties, functions, and qualifications. They are not intended to be comprehensive in nature. In addition, jobs evolve over time and therefore their description may not reflect the precise nature of the position at a given point in timeIt is The Orchards at Foxcrest's policy to base hiring decisions solely on the individual's ability to perform essential job functions. Persons with disabilities are eligible for this position provided they can perform those functions with reasonable accommodation.

I have read the Activity Assistant job description. By my signature I confirm that I fully understand and certify that I am able to perform the duties listed.

Printed Name: _______________________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________________

Signature: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Orchards is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, disability that can be reasonably accommodated without undue hardship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, citizenship, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

As part of The Orchards team, you can help our residents experience the best service and quality care during their nursing home, assisted living, rehab and independent living stays.