Social Services Activities Assistant

The Activity Department is responsible for directly providing or coordinating resources and efforts to provide for an ongoing program of activities designed to meet, in accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interests and the physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident/patient. The Activity Assistant is responsible for planning and coordinating the activity program in coordination with and supervision of the Social Services/Activities Director. Because the activities program should occur within the context of each resident/patient’s comprehensive assessment and care plan, it should be multi-faceted and reflect each individual resident/patient’s needs. Therefore, the activities program should provide stimulation or solace; promote physical, cognitive and/ or emotional health; enhance to the extent practicable each person’s physical and mental status; and promote each person’s self-respect by providing, for example, activities that allow for self-expression and choice. Activities can occur at any time and are not limited to formal activities being provided by Activity staff. Others involved may be any facility staff, volunteers, visitors, family members and other residents. **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:** 1. To develop an Activity Program designed to meet the individual needs of each resident/patient. The programs will be designed to reflect the interest and/or ability levels of the residents/patients. The individualized Activity Program for each resident/patient will be developed based on the comprehensive assessment, the Activity Assessment, the interests and the physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident/patient. The resident/patient’s activity care plan will be based on this assessment and will reflect the established activity program for the resident/patient. 2. Planning, coordinating, and directing a program of activities that provides interaction, exercises, relaxation, opportunity to express creative talents, and to fulfill basic psychological, social, emotional and cognitive needs. 3. Working with the resident/patient’s attending physician and with the nursing department, as well as other support services, in planning the resident/patient’s individualized activity plan. 4. Participating in resident/patient assessments, interdisciplinary resident care plan meetings, etc., in planning for the resident/patient ’s total plan of care. 5. To complete necessary activity documentation including but not limited to activity assessments, progress notes and participation records. Activity documentation will include discussion on outcomes / responses to activities interventions as well as other identified information. 6. To arrange for activities such as seasonal events and trips as able. 7. To provide a one-to-one activity program for those residents/patients who are unable to pursue their own activities. This individualized One-to-One Activity Program will be developed in keeping with the resident/patient’s lifelong interests (e.g., music, reading, visits with individuals who share their interests or reasonable attempts to connect the resident with such individuals). Members of all departments will also assist the resident/patient in finding activities or in room projects he or she can pursue independently, as able. 8. To provide a varied program of large and small group activities designed to promote social skills, development of creative talent, exercise, intellectual stimulation, community involvement and relaxation. The Activity Assistant will also develop specialized small groups to meet specific resident needs as determined through the Activity Assessment. 9. To inform, encourage and assist residents/patients to attend and participate in scheduled activities. This includes working with the nursing department to obtain their assistance in having residents/patients up and ready for activities as well as informing, encouraging and assisting residents/patients to activity program…