THIS POSITION IS AT COFFMAN NURSING HOME in Hagerstown !!
Director of Activities 
$40,000 - $45,000

Job Title: Director of Activities

Department: Activities

FLSA Status: Exempt

SUMMARY

The Director of Activities must have the ability to plan and organize recreational activities for the residents of Coffman Nursing Home. She/he must have an understanding of the social, psychological and recreational needs of the aged, as well as, other types of residents within the community. The activities program should occur within the context of each resident's comprehensive assessment and care plan. The program should be multifaceted and reflect the individual resident needs. Position is also responsible for the administration of Volunteer Services.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Activities are to be scheduled seven (7) days a week, morning, afternoon and evening, including holidays and weekends and at hours convenient to the residents. Director will schedule self and staff accordingly.
2. Produces a monthly activities calendar, reflecting the time and type of activity. Ensures calendar is produced well in advance and distributed to the various activities areas, resident rooms and in other areas visible to the residents.
3. Greets each new resident and conducts the activity assessment being sure to obtain the residents likes and dislikes, so activities can be tailored to the individual needs.
4. Establishes a plan of care for each resident and participates in the care plan meetings; completes the MDS and Quarterly assessments.
5. Knows resident cognitive levels and provides appropriate activities for all levels.
6. Plans, organizes, and directs a program of activities which will provide entertainment, intercommunication, exercise, relaxation, opportunity to express creative talent, and fulfill basic psychological, social and spiritual needs, and which will be available to all residents as ordered by the resident’s physician.
7. Initiates and promotes activities both within and outside the community, etc., to stimulate and promote patient interest and general well being. Arranges transportation and supervision as needed for external outings.
8. Encourages hobbies and provides materials and supplies in keeping with resident’s financial status and department budget. Encourages craft activity participation among residents in groups or individually.
9. Encourages social communication among residents through group activities and recreation. Plans parties, provides games, and encourages residents to assist in the planning, e.g. making table decorations, wrapping gifts, planning party room, etc.
10. Plans external outings (shopping, scenic, other), and arranges for transportation and supervision.
11. Encourages residents to participate in religious activities to fulfill their basic spiritual needs, through visits with Director of Pastoral Care, attendance at religious services whenever possible, spiritual reading material and others. Works in conjunction with Director of Pastoral Care to ensure resident spiritual needs are met.
12. Encourages intellectual/educational development through literature, lectures, movies, cultural events, etc.
13. Ensure residents confined to room/bed receive one-to-one visitation.
14. Provides library service for patients in cooperation with local library or in-house library. Provides electronic reading material for vision impaired residents as needed.
15. Secures entertainment well in advance and checks with the entertainers prior to their scheduled appearance to ensure activity is properly scheduled and any supplies needed are available.
16. Invites and encourages residents to participate in each day's program where appropriate and transports residents to and from activity as necessary.
17. Maintains a record of resident’s participation in activities. Evaluates resident’s reactions during activities, and reports unusual observations to charge nurse. Writes progress notes and charts them as often as required.
18. Prepares and submits reports as directed by Executive Team Members.
19. Prepares activity program care plan for each resident and participates in resident care plan meetings as scheduled. Prepares additional documentation as applicable.
20. Acquires necessary supplies, equipment and materials for programming based on budget adhering to purchasing limits and seeks approval as needed.
21. Responsible for department petty cash fund. Completes and submits reports regarding petty cash as needed.
22. Orientates and supervises all associates and volunteers assigned to the activity department.
23. Ensures activity areas and community space utilized are in good order before and after each activity session.
24. Works irregular hours - some nights and weekends providing coverage for department as needed to ensure programming as scheduled is conducted.
25. Develop, promote and maintains opportunities for volunteer service within the community.
26. Recruits, interviews and approves volunteer applicants for volunteer service.
27. Conducts new volunteer orientation and ensure existing volunteers are providing with current policies, procedures and standards of volunteer service.
28. Observes and supervises work of volunteers and evaluates performance. Provides feedback to volunteer on performance as needed. Communicates with volunteers regularly to ensure satisfaction within assigned area of volunteer service.
29. Organizes, plans, participates in volunteer recognition programs.
30. Maintain accurate records and provides timely statistical and activity reports on volunteer participation.

SAFETY

1. Report equipment malfunctions to appropriate staff and complete work orders when indicated.
2. Identify and remove safety hazards/devices and report to appropriate personnel.
3. Assure a safe, clean, and clutter free environment.
4. Utilize standard precautions by wearing protective equipment (goggles, gowns, gloves) when indicated, and uses correct hand washing technique.
5. Follow facility fire and safety policies.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

Directly supervises employees and volunteers assigned to the Activities Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies, procedures and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

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

High school diploma or higher; with 3-5 years experience in a social or recreational program in a health care setting. Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist, occupational therapist, or occupational therapy assistant; or has completed a training course approved by the State as an Activity Professional.

COMPUTER SKILLS

Enter, adjust and retrieve data using a computer.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

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 frequently required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.

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 moving mechanical parts. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.