Activities Director

Function

To oversee all aspects of the daily activities program, ensuring it is diversified enough to interest, involve, stimulate and challenge all residents. Establish and develop goals, objectives and budget; develop, direct and guide activities department personnel and volunteers to maximize programs and maintain effective one‑to‑one contact with residents; function as a community liaison.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as department head and participate in a bi‑weekly staff meeting.
• Ascertain from medical staff which residents are medically permitted to participate in the activities program.
• Coordinate the activities program with the schedule of other resident care services (e.g., PT, nursing, social services) to assist in achieving mutual goals set for each resident.
• Contact community resources for activities to be conducted either in the facility or in the community and make provision for residents whose capabilities permit participation.
• Recruit, orient to facility, train and supervise volunteers to assist the activities program, working with residents on an individual and group basis.
• Post the current monthly and daily schedule of activities in places easily accessible to residents and staff.
• Plan a monthly tentative schedule of activities at least one month in advance and provide the administrator with a monthly statistical report of the type, frequency, and number of residents participating in each activity.
• Use proper channels to order departmental supplies, craft/woodworking supplies, etc.
• Maintain at least quarterly progress notes in residents’ charts containing pertinent information concerning personal adjustment, participation level, and enjoyment of activities; write transfer notes for hospital admissions and discharge notes upon resident discharge from St. Luke.
• Participate in periodic review and evaluation teams, identifying problems/needs of residents and formulating realistic goals with time elements, updating as needed.
• Report any observed unusual behavior of a resident to the nursing supervisor.
• Encourage social communication among residents through group activities and recreation.
• Encourage residents to participate in religious activities to fulfill basic spiritual needs.
• Provide library service for residents in cooperation with the local library and provide talking books for blind residents.
• Develop and submit a yearly budget, qualifying to the administrator and controller according to proposed activities for the upcoming year; requisition and purchase supplies, equipment and materials within budgetary control.
• Interview and select a licensed part‑time hairdresser when a position opens (with input from resident council).
• Supervise activities and direct or appoint the activities assistant, volunteers, or residents within the home to direct certain programs; train them to carry out the activity.
• Interview and assist in the selection of activities staff; evaluate at least yearly.
• Develop activities program policies and procedures, review and revise each year as needed.
• Develop written job descriptions, review and revise each year as needed.
• Participate in in‑service education programs, applicable facility programs, and workshops at other locations.
• Establish residents’ former and current interests through interviewing each resident, family, and/or significant others within a month after admission; develop programs tailored to residents’ interests, needs and capabilities.
• Periodically review each resident’s activities program participation and revise their care plan as necessary.
• Supervise weekly shopping for residents’ needs as specified on the monthly activity calendar.
• Orient new employees to the activities department as notified by the in‑service education director.
• Write letters to residents’ families at least twice yearly encouraging family support and informing them of special activities, motivating families to assist on days the shopper’s service is present.
• Contact community resources via letters, phone calls, or personal contacts to obtain donations for residents’ gifts (e.g., bingo, birthday, Christmas).
• Preview the monthly activities calendar with the dietary technician to plan refreshments for various programs.
• Stimulate resident involvement in planning and participation in activities programs at monthly resident council meetings.
• For large group activities, reserve necessary transportation through proper channels within budget limits (e.g., school bus).
• Maintain a professional and effective relationship with staff, residents, families and the public through communication and interaction.

Qualifications

• Must be available to work more than eight (8) hours per day or more than forty (40) hours per week.
• Other related duties may become necessary or as directed by the supervisor, department head, and/or administration.