Position Summary:
Develops and implements recreational & therapeutic programming that provide opportunities for residents to participate in events that maintain optimal levels of mental, spiritual, physical, and social well-being. Programs are designed to improve and maintain residents’ general health and well-being, specific to Memory Care.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following duties are normal for this position. This list is not to be construed as exclusive or all inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Develop treatment plans to meet the needs of patients, based on needs assessment, patient interests, and objectives of therapy.
- Observe, analyze, and record patients’ participation, reactions, and progress during treatment sessions, modifying treatment programs as needed.
- Conduct therapy sessions to improve patients’ mental and physical well-being
- Counsel and encourage patients to develop leisure activities.
- Meets regularly with Neighborhood Director to discuss format, purpose and progress for individual and group programming for each level of care.
- Evaluates the interest, abilities and needs of residents and plans appropriate activities based on these needs and available support both personally and through communication with staff members,
- Oversees large, small, and one-to-one events for the purpose of providing friendly visitations, sensory stimulation, reality orientation, and cognitive stimulation.
- Independently administers programs, classes, and off campus travel excursions as needed.
- Administers the department’s Interest Survey, MDS, Care Plan and Progress Notes in accordance with applicable codes.
- Attends Care Plan meetings and interacts with all disciplines of the health services team, including nursing, social services, dietary, therapy and restorative aides.
- Effectively communicates with applicable department heads, managers and employees on a regular basis to inform, exchange ideas, and coordinate services. Also shares insight, information, and reports responses and/or progress regarding residents.
- Effectively communicates with applicable departments regarding assistance needed in setup, implementation, participation, and need for use of common/shared space and services.
- Evaluates recreational programming on an ongoing basis through surveys and direct interaction with residents and families.
- Arranges transportation for off campus events.
- Directs and coordinates volunteer screening and training, volunteer services and programs for each level of care.
- Administers activities budget for the Memory Neighborhood including planning, purchasing, and maintaining necessary elements. Educates staff on budgeting and purchasing policies.
- Recognizes signs and symptoms which signify a change in condition that require nursing intervention and reports these changes to the appropriate channels. Shares resident information with staff and family on a needto-know basis.
- Attends training, meetings, and continuing education workshops (as approved) and continuously researches / keeps up to date on current recreational senior and long term care trends.
- Helps publish and distribute community newsletter and calendar(s) specific to Memory Support.
- Dependable and able to meet schedule requirements (attendance and punctuality) with no restrictions.
- Other duties as assigned by Supervisor.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None.
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Educational Requirements and Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Recreational Therapy, Therapeutic Recreation, or related field preferred
- Preferred three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Senior Living Experience with prior experience in Memory Care preferred.
- National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Psychology: Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
- Therapy and Counseling: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching, and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instructions for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
- Medicine and Dentistry: Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventative health-care measures.
- Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
o Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, speaking the primary language of the residents.
o Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
o Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.
- Mathematical Skills: o Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
- Cognitive Demands: o Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
o Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
o Ability to use Microsoft Windows, including Outlook, Word and Excel.
o Ability to use the Internet.
o Must demonstrate an interest in working with a senior population. o Manages people effectively by taking responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self available to staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and encourages growth; Improves processes, products and services.
o Provides leadership by exhibiting confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to perform well.
o Interacts with guests, residents and staff in a courteous and friendly manner.
o Responds promptly to resident needs.
o Supports organization's goals and values.
o Balances team and individual responsibilities.
Environmental Adaptability:
- Works primarily indoors in a climate controlled setting, possible exposure to outdoors
- Possible exposure to unpleasant odors
- Possible exposure to chemicals as identified in the MSDS Manual
- Continuous exposure to residents who are ill, confused, irritable and irrational
Physical Requirements:
The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The team member is frequently required to stand; walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The team member is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance. The team member must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.
