Activity Therapy Aide/Cook

Responsibilities

• Provides purposeful and meaningful activities to residents by interacting daily, offering workshop and sensory groups, and delivering social, cognitive, emotional, community, and spiritual stimulation in accordance with regulations.
• Assists with personal cares and promotes resident independence in hygiene, ambulation, and community access.
• Guides residents to participate in recreational activities, leads and delegates staff, and supports sensory and exercise programs to meet person‑centered life‑enrichment needs.
• Arranges and provides transportation for community outings, social activities, and individual trips; plans special meals, events, and entertainment for the household.
• Develops monthly activity calendars and schedules movies, parties, games, and other group activities.
• Decorates the household for reality orientation, holidays, and seasons; researches and purchases approved items for the environment.
• Assists residents with purchasing or researching items they need or wish to have.
• Visits residents regularly, helps them create cards/letters for families, and supports online shopping needs.
• Works with residents on goals in their Individual Service Plan (ISP) and documents progress for charting.
• Maintains documentation of resident attendance at activities and estimated participation time.
• Provides personal hygiene care—including bathing (tub, shower, bed bath), oral care, skin and nail care, hand washing, grooming (hair care, shaving, dressing), and weighing.
• Assists with toileting, bowel and bladder retraining, and perineal care.
• Performs and assists with mobility, transferring, positioning, and range‑of‑motion exercises per care plans.
• Reports all cares accurately, including dietary intake and output, temperature, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and respiration, using approved terminology.
• Serves meals, motivates residents to consume nourishment and fluids, and monitors intake.
• Participates in shift reports and resident‑care staffing meetings; communicates observations and changes to supervisors.
• Encourages residents to keep their rooms clean and orderly; maintains the household in a clean, organized condition; keeps personal belongings and equipment clean and properly labeled.
• Responds to emergencies such as bleeding, falls, seizures, and performs CPR and Heimlich maneuver when needed.
• Performs housekeeping and laundry duties as required.
• Assists with training and orientation of new Household Assistants and provides backup support to household and department staff.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Cook duties (when assigned): prepares and portions food according to resident diets and preferences; tracks and updates resident diet changes; maintains high standards of food production and sanitation; keeps work areas and equipment clean and compliant with regulatory codes; assists with meal preparation as needed.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of personal protective equipment (PPE) and proper safety use.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of resident information and protect privacy per HIPAA.
• Knowledge of chemicals used in housekeeping and laundry, including hazardous substances and isolation procedures.
• Ability to create a warm, personal atmosphere while maintaining a clean environment.
• Skill in working tactfully and cooperatively with residents, families, visitors, and staff.
• Effective verbal communication with residents, families, the public, and organization members.
• Exhibit a warm, cheerful, caring manner.
• Capability to safely perform all essential job functions.
• Interpretation and implementation of local policies, written instructions, and federal, state, and local regulations.
• Organizational and time‑management skills to prioritize a high volume of work and adapt to changing priorities.
• Accuracy and independence in detailed work under stringent time limits with minimal supervision.
• Quick thinking, self‑control, and adaptability in stressful situations.
• Proficiency with computer software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases) relevant to the position.
• Ability to perform required mathematical calculations.
• Preparation and maintenance of accurate, concise records and reports.
• Sound judgment and discretion in problem‑solving and policy interpretation.
• Effective oral and written communication of detailed, often sensitive information.
• Calm, tactful handling of sensitive interpersonal situations.
• Professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Willingness to work allocated hours and respond after hours as needed.

Qualifications

• Previous volunteer or work experience with geriatric, chronically mentally ill, and/or developmentally disabled populations.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Successful completion of caregiver and criminal background checks.
• Valid driver’s license and compliance with Dodge County Driver Qualification Policy.