Activities Director

Required Qualifications

• The activities program must be directed by a qualified professional who is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who:
• Is licensed or registered, if applicable, by the state in which practicing; and
• Is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist or as an activities professional by a recognized accrediting body on or after October 1, 1990; or
• Has 2 years of experience in a social or recreational program within the last 5 years, one of which was full-time in a therapeutic activities program; or
• Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant; or
• Has completed a training course approved by the State.

Responsibilities

• Direct the development, implementation, supervision, and ongoing evaluation of the activities program designed to meet the social, psychosocial, and therapeutic needs of residents.
• Complete and/or direct/delegate the completion of the activities component of the comprehensive assessment.
• Contribute to and/or direct/delegate the contribution to the comprehensive care plan goals and approaches individualized to each resident’s skills, abilities, interests, and preferences in compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Schedule activities (individual and group), implement and/or delegate the implementation of recreational, educational, cultural, arts, and crafts programs.
• Monitor resident response to programs, review and evaluate effectiveness, and revise as necessary.
• Ensure scheduled program activities are carried out seven days per week.
• Ensure each resident is offered at least one cognitive activity, two recreational activities, and three ADL activities daily.
• Tailor activities to each resident’s unique requirements and skills.
• Plan at least one individual activity daily for residents unable or unwilling to participate in group activities.
• Oversee transportation of residents to social activities programs inside and outside the facility.
• Ensure resident safety during activities; strictly control and monitor safety hazards and harmful items.
• Lock activity cabinets and closets when not in immediate use.
• Establish and oversee the Resident Council, including documentation of meeting minutes and concerns.
• Perform administrative functions such as assisting with orientation of new staff, developing departmental policies and procedures, delegating work assignments, completing employee performance evaluations, and developing staff educational in-service programs.
• Oversee the facility’s volunteer program to ensure resident rights are respected.
• Occasionally supervise student practices in Leisure Studies and related educational areas.
• Monitor the schedule and services provided by the Beauty Shop Operators.
• Treat all residents with dignity and respect; promote and protect all residents’ rights.
• Establish a culture of compliance by adhering to all facility policies and procedures.
• Comply with standards of business conduct and state/federal regulations and guidelines.
• Follow appropriate safety and hygiene measures to protect residents and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality of protected health information in all forms.
• Report noncompliance, breaches in confidentiality, retaliation, discrimination, or allegations of abuse, neglect, misappropriation of property, exploitation, or mistreatment to appropriate personnel.
• Protect residents from abuse and cooperate with all investigations.
• Report occupational exposures to blood, body fluids, infectious materials, and/or hazardous chemicals per facility policy.
• Participate in life safety and emergency drills and trainings; fulfill assigned responsibilities during emergency plan activation.
• Report work-related injuries and illnesses immediately to supervisor.
• Follow established infection control policies and procedures.
• Complete all assigned training and skills competency as a condition of employment.
• Prepare a monthly calendar of activities in large print and post it prominently for residents and visitors.
• Assess resident needs and develop resident activity goals for the written care plan.
• Encourage resident participation in activities and document outcomes; review goals and progress notes.
• Properly document MDS reports and progress notes.
• Obtain necessary equipment and supplies and provide organized storage.
• Participate with the Administrator in developing a budget.
• Contribute to facility efforts to maintain and/or improve quality of care by attending Care Plan meetings, serving on the QAPI Committee and Behavior Management Committee, attending Department Head Meetings, mandatory in-services, and completing required training and continuing education.

Personal Skills and Traits

• Good verbal and written communication skills and ability to exercise judgment.
• Ability to maintain composure in stressful situations.
• Resourcefulness and strong leadership skills.
• Positive attitude and ability to coordinate and conduct meetings, set and achieve goals.
• Ability to be organized and efficient with basic computer skills.
• CPR licensed and trained in first aid.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Supportive team member who contributes to and exemplifies teamwork.
• Ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant.
• Ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, government agencies, and the general public.
• Patience, tact, and willingness to deal with difficult residents, family, and staff.
• Ability to relay information concerning a resident’s condition.
• Must not pose a threat to the health and safety of others in the workplace.
• Ability to move intermittently throughout the workday.
• Meet general health requirements per facility policy, including medical and physical exams and immunity status checks.
• Ability to work beyond normal hours and on weekends and holidays when necessary.
• Ability to assist in resident evacuation during emergencies.
• Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, perform overhead lifting, and perform other common physical movements as needed.
• May be subject to falls, burns, odors, reactions from dust, tobacco smoke, disinfectants, and other air contaminants.
• Subject to exposure to infectious waste, diseases, and conditions including AIDS, Coronavirus, Hepatitis B, and Tuberculosis.
• May encounter hostile or emotional residents, family members, visitors, or personnel.

Compliance as a Condition of Employment and Performance Appraisal

Agreement to abide by all standards, policies, and procedures of the facility, including the facility’s compliance and ethics program, is a condition of employment. Compliance will be a factor in evaluating job performance. Violations, including failure to report violations, will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

This job description is intended to convey the general scope of the major duties and responsibilities inherent in this position. Other tasks not listed may be assigned by the Administrator. Periodic revision may be necessary to reflect changes in expectations placed on long term care by various governmental agencies. This job description will be reviewed and/or revised annually and as needed.

Individual performance will be evaluated using the following scale:

• Unsatisfactory: Achieves results far less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated.
• Needs Improvement: Achieves results less than the standards identified for the performance factors rated; exhibits the potential to become a competent performer; may be new to the job or need skill development.
• Meets Standards: Achieves results that meet the standards identified for the performance factors rated; this rating is the expected level of performance.
• Exceeds Standards: Achieves results that usually exceed the standards identified for the performance factors rated.