Life Enrichment Aide

General Purpose

The Life Enrichment Recreation Aide assists the Life Enrichment Director in the organization, direction, and implementation of activities for all residents of Gracedale. This position is responsible for practicing ethical and professional behaviors related to the field of life enrichment and meeting the physical, mental, emotional and social needs, as well as the interest of the Gracedale residents.

Supervision Received

This position reports directly to the Life Enrichment Director.

Supervision Exercised

This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees or functions.

Essential Duties of the Position

• Organize and implement all scheduled activities, including workshops, trips, religious activities, social and special events, including maintenance of supplies and equipment, preparation and completion of projects and adaptation of activities.
• Responsible for documentation of the following with approval of Life Enrichment Director: initial evaluation; progress notes; interdisciplinary care plan approaches and goals; and taking of attendance.
• Participation in departmental meetings, interdisciplinary patient care plan meetings, and in-services.
• Cooperate and maintain good working relationships with other staff members and volunteers.
• Operation of various life enrichment department equipment (see Tools and Equipment).
• Transportation of residents to and from activity programs.
• Responsible for remaining alert to mental and physical needs of all residents during activities; recognizing residents' limitations; and reporting any problems to the immediate supervisor.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Six (6) to twelve (12) months of experience in organizing and instructing activities for groups is preferred.
• Experience with geriatric residents is preferred.
• All employees of Gracedale Nursing Home will be required to attend Feeding Program training.
• Preferred that employees assigned to this title possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle driver's license, with an acceptable driving record.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of goals, objectives, principles and practices pertaining to life enrichment in long-term care.
• Knowledge of life enrichment methods and techniques applicable to individuals in an inpatient nursing facility.
• Knowledge of physical, mental, emotional, and other factors affecting geriatric needs, interests and capacities.
• Knowledge of governmental regulations and requirements governing life enrichment.
• Knowledge of the organization, functions and operation commonly found in care facilities and their relationship to the administration of life enrichment services.
• Ability to assess individual patient needs and develop a plan to address those needs by designing crafts and various other activity programs, and coordinate efforts with medical, social and other care.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative, creativity, dependability, cooperation and self-motivation.
• Ability to recognize the importance of the activity program in the total plan of care, and to enjoy working with geriatric residents.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of social, community and other organizations, including their participation in recreational activities.
• Ability to operate a personal computer to enter information into and secure information from established programs.
• Ability to effectively read and write work schedules, resident records, physician orders, etc.; to maintain records of activities and prepare reports of same.
• Ability to hear and speak clearly both in person and over the telephone.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

Tools and Equipment

• Telephone, personal computer, and life enrichment equipment.
• Woodworking tools including hammer, screwdriver, hand saws, pliers, and a glue gun.
• Video equipment such as a VCR, DVD player, and large screen television.
• Kitchen appliances, including microwave, blender, and electric frying pan.
• Vacuum cleaner.
• Sewing machine.
• Other related equipment.
• Operation of a motorized vehicle, such as a van or bus.

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
• The employee must possess agility and strength sufficient to support and maneuver heavy patients of limited physical capacity.
• Must be able to lift, push, etc. in transport an average of 55 pounds for wheelchair residents and an average of 75 pounds for geri-chair residents combined with weight of resident with assistance from bed to and from commode and/or bus seat.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to care and therapy room environments.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately loud in care areas and in therapy sessions.