Recreation Assistant

BETHESDA

RECREATION ASSISTANT

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Summary: The Recreation Assistant works directly with residents with such love, acceptance, friendliness and compassion that residents are invited to live their lives in fullness; they develop activity programs based on resident’s interests, strengths and needs; they conduct activities in an atmosphere of warmth, success, encouragement and joy.

Job Relationships:

A. Reports to: Recreation Director

B. Interrelationships with: Nursing, Culinary, Maintenance, Housekeeping, Office staff, Social Services and various employee involvement committees.

C. Internal contact with family members, interns, beauticians, lay clergy people and other service personnel in the facility.

D. External contact with programs outside the facility.

Hours of Work: Part-time evening shift and day shift available. 

Dress Code: Business casual attire. Jeans with no holes or rips. Bethesda shirts. Solid colored t-shirts. Footwear: Close-toe, comfortable, slip-resistant shoes. Heir and Hygiene: Maintain a high standard of cleanliness, oral hygiene and deodorant. Neat and practical hairstyle. Hair tied back when working with food. Identification: Visible name badge worn on chest area. PPE: Compliance with facility guidelines for masks, gloves, goggles, etc. if applicable. Piercings: Covered or removed if posing infection or safety risk. Tattoos: Covered or removed if posing infection or safety risk.  General Appearance: Clean, well-maintained attire.

Essential Requirements of Work:

1. Education: 

a. High school diploma or equivalent.

b. Ability to complete the feeding portion of the Nursing Assistant course or be a Certified Nursing Assistant.

2. Experience:

a. Previous work with elderly or physically challenged persons is desirable; work that demonstrates:

i.  Ability to maintain outgoing, cheerful, & enthusiastic 

 personality.

ii. Demonstrates respect for the elderly or physically challenged.

iii. Ability to speak clearly and make self understood to people of varying abilities.

iv. Ability to function as a team player

v. Ability to work independently and self-motivate.

vi. Ability and willingness to learn

vii. Ability to present an activity to a large group.

viii. Skills in one or more areas of: music, art, organization, listening and group work.

ix. Ability to read, write, follow directions in English and use basic math skills.

x. Ability to problem solve and think creatively.

xi. Precise record keeping ability.

xii. Ability to prepare, present and evaluate activity accurately.

4. Personal 

a.  Attend all Bethesda or other sponsored on-going activity meetings and in-services.

b. Continual professional updating.

Physical Demands of the Job:

1. Frequent walking, standing, bending, pushing, and pulling.

2. Occasional squatting, kneeling, sitting, and reaching above shoulder level.

3. Occasional exposure to communicable diseases.

4. Occasional lifting up to 30 lbs.

Mental Demands of the Job:

1. Compassion for people with disabilities.

2. Presenting in front of a large group of people.

3. Ability to adapt activities to varying needs.

4. Ability to alternate activity plans if necessary.

5. Teamwork with other department members.

Work Environment & Conditions:

1. Flexibility and spontaneity.

2. Patience with residents displaying agitation, confusion or depression.

3. Ability to work with many people, both staff and residents, with varying personalities.

Principle Job Responsibility:

To spend time with assigned residents in order to become, for each, a friend, advocate, source of life or comfort. Provide personal contact with assigned residents and conduct activities in a manner: that assists them to feel successful & purposeful, encourage them to pursue their own interests that use their remaining abilities, or that give solace or comfort, and all within a homelike and comforting atmosphere.

 Tasks:

1. Remain on duty during the entire scheduled work time, observing Bethesda’s policy of ½ hour noon break and any 15 minute breaks allowed.

2. Spend the majority of time each day working directly with the residents.

3. Foster resident communication, self expression and personal identity.

4. Be aware of resident interests, needs, goals, and assist to help them be successful.

5. Be friendly, helpful and accommodating to family members and volunteers.

6. Promote a spirit of open communication, cooperation, teamwork and friendliness within the department as well as with other departments.

7. Do the required documentation and care planning in a timely, legible and accurate manner.

8. Be creative in planning and implementing activities that meet different levels of abilities, assisting them to function at their highest practicable level.

9. Develop activity programming that promotes the philosophy, policy and procedures of the activity department.

10. Assist at meals when directed by supervisor.

11. Assist Residents at activity groups with their snacks/beverages.

12. Foster cooperation and friendliness with new staff.

Professional and Personal Growth:

A. Report for and leave the work area on a timely basis.

B. Participate in annual performance reviews.

C. Write yearly personal goals.

D. Participate in all required in-service programs.

E. Maintain professional conduct and pleasant, friendly attitude towards staff, residents and visitors.

Be willing to learn and change to meet needs that arise