Activity Assistant - CSSP

SUMMARY:

Plan, organize, and direct a program of activities, which provides opportunity for entertainment, exercise, relaxation, and expression and fulfills basic psychological, social, and spiritual needs, which will be available to participants at both Clover Adult Day Care Program, Heritage Senior Residences at Columbia Parc and residents residing at Sacred Heart. The Activities Coordinator will assist the physically, emotionally, and cognitively impaired individual and family to explore appropriate avocation/leisure pursuits.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Clover expects their employees to promote an atmosphere of teamwork with other employees and agency partners. In addition, employees are to be hospitable and comforting to the participants in the Adult Day Program, as well as, residents of Heritage Senior Residences. Therefore, the following list of duties is not all-inclusive:

• Develop, organize, and implement a program of activities to meet the social, emotional, physical and other therapeutic needs of residents 
• Initiate and promote activities both within and outside the facility, as weather permits, insuring the safety and well-being of each resident at all times.
• Coordinate and verify that assistance is provided to residents for activities and events as necessary.
• Create an ongoing calendar of activities, which creatively meets multiple needs and is accessible and appealing to both men and women of all ages and abilities.
• Consistently maintain standards for activity scheduling and documentation established by policies and regulatory requirements.
• Solicit the involvement of the community (clubs, groups, organizations, agencies, churches, individuals, etc.) when planning facility activities and events.
• Maintain detailed records of activity programs and participation of individual residents, identifying progress toward established care plan goals.
• Participate in resident care planning by identifying the activity needs of residents in accordance with an assessment of needs and mobility.
• Develop and distribute a monthly calendar of events. Provide a copy of the calendar in each resident’s room, and at least one large calendar prominently displayed in the facility. 
• Maintain a pictorial scrapbook of activities and events sponsored by CSSP and Columbia Residential Property Management facility during the year.
• Develop and maintain an active volunteer program through marketing, development, support, and organization. Encourage participation by residents, family members, staff, visitors, and community groups and individuals. Assign and train volunteers and maintain documentation of volunteer hours. Reward volunteers for service annually and at other special events.
• Train groups of volunteers and students in techniques of recreation and therapy.
• Maintain all activity related records required by regulations and Medical Records – activity assessments, progress notes, and discharge summary. 
• Assist the residents with organizing and maintaining active Resident Council. Provide accommodation, assistance, scheduling, and other means to assure that residents have the opportunity to meet a minimum of one time per month. Channel feedback from Resident council to the appropriate facility personnel to insure that resident issues are dealt with in a timely and efficient manner. Document minutes of Resident Council meetings as well as follow-up to any concerns expressed at the meeting.
• Operate between programs, which include: Adult Day Care Services, Heritage Senior Residences at Columbia Parc and Sacred Heart at St. Bernard. 
• Serves as a liaison between the participant, program, family and community. When appropriate, assist the participant and family with community placements and/or other community resources.
• Be familiar with Standard Precautions, Fire Drill and Evacuation Plans and offer support 
• Maintain confidentiality of resident and facility records/information.
• Other tasks as assigned.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Nursing or related field. 
• Strongly prefer at least six months experience working with frail elderly or other physically/mentally disabled population. 
• Excellent creative and communication skills
• Computer literate with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Excel, Outlook, and Explorer.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Possesses good knowledge of human behavior, particularly in adults/elderly participants.
• Ability to assess adult/elderly/disabled participant needs. 
• Possesses good organizational skills in delivering social services to elderly participants.
• Ability to and an interest in working with elders and adults.
• Ability to apply knowledge of the resources available in the community for the elderly and disabled.
• Able to effectively assess participant’s needs and develop individualized plan of care.    
• Able to communicate effectively with staff, participants, caregivers, volunteers and visitors.
• Possesses good organizational skills related to the delivery of social services for the elderly.
• Possesses a demonstrated understanding of the dynamics of poverty, oppression, sexism, racism, ageism and other forms of societal and individual prejudice that confront our staff, volunteers, program participants and community at-large. 
• Proven ability to work effectively, respectfully, and harmoniously with a broad range of people from diverse cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Able to engage and motivate program participants and staff to increase their self-sufficiency and work towards resolution of the challenges.
• Able to advocate on behalf of program participants and believe that program participants have the capacity to grow and change.
• Demonstrated philosophy and value consistent with the purpose and goals of Clover, utilizing a strengths and empowerment perspective and working towards increasing the capacities of program participants and their families.
• Able to work holistically, as part of a team, with staff, program participants and their families, volunteers and the community at-large toward successful outcomes for program participants.
• Respects the integrity of each program participant, their right to privacy and confidentiality and their right to participate in our programs. 
• Maintains confidentiality with respect to personnel and proprietary agency information.
• Ability to meet deadlines, well organized, and able to work under pressure of multiple deadlines; demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• Acts as a role model within and outside of the agency.
• Adheres to agency policies and procedures.
• Computer literate with MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Excel, Outlook, and Explorer.
• Maintains a clean driving record and on-going access to reliable transportation 

SPECIAL REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS:

• Position requires regular, sensitive interaction with program participants. 
• Must respond to client health emergencies, requiring administration of CPR/First Aid/AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and contact with emergency response systems.
• Ability to meet deadlines, well organized, and able to work under pressure of multiple deadlines; demonstrates flexible and efficient time management and ability to prioritize workload.
• Access to dependable transportation that may allow for transitioning between Columbia Parc at the Bayou District, Clover main campus and/or retrieve required equipment and supplies for programming activities.
• Acts as a role model within and outside of the agency.
• Adheres to agency policies and procedures.
• Respects the integrity of each program participant, their right to privacy and confidentiality and their right to participate to their maximum capacity in determining their participation in our programs, including the formation of a case or treatment service plan. 
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with high level of energy and enthusiasm
• Experience in working with volunteers and ability to organize and develop volunteer program.
• Organization, documentation, and implementation of detailed programs.