Activities Specialist

Job Title: Activities Specialist

Supervisor: Activity Coordinator & Supervisor

Positions Supervised: None

FLSA Status: Full-time; Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

Activities Specialist organizes general group activities not associated with treatment plans and manages the program’s inventory of supplies, crafts, and games for activities. Activities Specialist also interviews program participants regarding their interests and hobbies, however, all treatment plans, therapeutic activity plans and treatment interventions are designed and established by a Licensed Recreational Therapist (LRT) to achieve specific participant/client outcomes consistent with the overall treatment plan established by the interdisciplinary team.

Specifications:

Education: A high school diploma.

Experience: Minimum 2 years experience in social or recreational program providing and coordinating services for an aging, frail or elderly population within the past 5 years.

Licensure, Registry or Certification Required: Completion of approved Activity Directors course or Licensed Recreational Therapy Assistant preferred.

Special Training/Abilities: Must be able to work effectively in a team environment. Only act within the scope of his or her authority to practice. Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by PACE of the Triad and approved by CMS before working independently.

Working knowledge: Skilled in planning, organizing, delivering stimulating and cost-effective activities program to participants with varied abilities and interest; Ability to get participants involved in activities; Provides documentation of participants’ attendance and participation in activities; Must be skilled in assisting in the implementation of basic treatment interventions and in assisting in the implementation of therapeutic activities and recreation; Has the ability to report participant response, reaction, and behavior through written and oral communications; Also has the ability to work effectively with elderly and/or disabled participants of various mental competence and physical disabilities.

Immunizations: Be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up-to-date before engaging in direct participant contact.

Ages of Patients Rendered Care: Adult & Geriatric.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plans and leads general group recreation activities not associated with treatment interventions, treatment plans, or therapeutic activities.

• Maintains inventory of supplies, crafts, and games for group recreational activities, treatment interventions, treatment plans, and therapeutic activities.

• Interviews program participants regarding their interests and hobbies. (Note: all treatment plans, therapeutic activity plans and treatment interventions are designed and established by a LRT to achieve specific participant/client outcomes consistent with the overall treatment plan established by the interdisciplinary team.)

• Performs cleaning tasks to assist with infection control.

• Discusses participants’ responses, reactions and participation in treatment interventions, therapeutic activities and recreation with the LRT and interdisciplinary team.

• Serves as a resource to staff and coordinates volunteer activities at the center.

• Communicates any changes in participant condition to team members.

• Communicates effectively with participants, families, staff, agencies, and other departments and agencies.

• Assists assigned participants with communication needs and other activities as assigned.

• Participates in teaching/learning process with others.

• Abides by all established PACE of the Triad’s policies, rules & regulations.

• Attends staff meetings.

• Other duties as assigned.

Environmental Factors:

Tasks with potential for exposure to blood borne pathogens include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Assisting participants with non-intact skin.

2. Assisting incontinent participants.

Demonstrates knowledge of and supports PACE mission, vision, values, standards, policies and procedures, operating instructions, confidentiality standards, and the code of ethical behavior.