Application deadline is June 27, 2024 at 5:00 PM EST. Applicants will not be contacted until after this date. Internal applicants will be considered before external applicants.

GENERAL PURPOSE The Life Enrichment Assistant Director assists the Life Enrichment Director in the organization, direction, and implementation of activities for all residents at Gracedale Nursing Home. The individual in this position is responsible for practicing ethical and professional behaviors related to the field of Life Enrichment, and for meeting the interests and physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of all residents.

*SUPERVISION RECEIVED* This position reports directly to the Life Enrichment Director.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED This position is responsible for supervision over the following classifications: Life Enrichment Recreation Aides and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) / Activity Professional.

*ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION* Educates, supervises, and evaluates Life Enrichment staff.

Responsible for administrative duties such as payroll, scheduling staff and activities, participation in QAPI meetings and evaluations, Abaqis, creating and reviewing department policies and procedures, etc.

Responsible for evaluating and monitoring animals/participants in the pet therapy/family pet visitation program. Must be comfortable and confident dealing with animals.

Plans, organizes, and implements all scheduled activities, including workshops, trips, social/special events, and religious activities.

Maintains supplies and equipment, prepares and completes projects, and adapts activities to meet residents' needs.

Participates in purchasing process for supplies and equipment.

Responsibilities on assigned units include: initial evaluations, documentation of attendance and status through progress notes, total plans of care goals, and conducting life enrichment programs.

Participates in departmental meetings, interdisciplinary patient care plan meetings, and in-services, and Resident Council meetings. Cooperates and maintains good working relationships with other staff members and volunteers.

Operates Life Enrichment Department equipment including large screen television, VCR, iPad, DVD player, CD player, computer, cell phone, van, and bus.

Responsible for the transportation of residents to and from activity programs in-house and via the Gracedale Bus.

Responsible for remaining alert to the mental and physical needs of all residents during activities. Must recognize residents' limitations, and report any problems to the immediate supervisor.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

*REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS*

*EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE -- Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy, or an alternative degree with major course work in the field of recreation or occupational therapy; OR*

The possession of an Activity Professional Certification such as Activity Directors Certification (ADC) or Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS); *AND*

At least one (1) year of satisfactory full-time professional experience in providing life enrichment services in a long term patient care facility;* AND*

Must attend Feeding Program training; *AND*

Must possess a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS - Applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and present valid proof of vaccinated st tus, in order to be eligible for hire at Gracedale Nursing Home. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), people are considered fully vaccinated two (2) weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series (such as Pfizer or Moderna vaccines), or two (2) weeks after a single-dose vaccine (such as Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine).

Upon hire employee must have a drug screening and COVID-19 testing. Employees may also be periodically tested for COVID-19 as required or recommended. In addition, Gracedale Nursing Home will follow The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) requirements with regard to booster(s) needed for workers in health care settings.

*KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  * Thorough knowledge of goals, objectives, principles, and practices pertaining to life enrichment in long term care.

Thorough knowledge of life enrichment methods and techniques applicable to individuals in an inpatient nursing facility.

Thorough knowledge of physical, mental, emotional, and other factors affecting geriatric patients' needs, interests, and capacities.

Thorough knowledge of governmental regulations and requirements governing life enrichment.

Thorough knowledge of the organization, functions, and operations commonly found in inpatient care facilities and their relationship to the administration of life enrichment services.

Ability to plan and assign the work of lower level staff members and volunteers engaged in providing life enrichment services.

Ability to assess individual patient needs, design activity plans which address those needs, and coordinate efforts with medical, social, and other care.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, representatives of social, community and other organizations, and residents including securing their participation in recreational activities.

Ability to operate a computer to enter information into established programs and produce finished copy.

Ability to maintain records of activities and prepare reports of same.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.    

*TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT* Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), writing implements, life enrichment equipment, hammer, screwdriver, pliers, video equipment, VCR, large screen television, CD player, iPad, DVD player, van and/or bus, stove, microwave, electric frying pan, vacuum cleaner, blender, glue gun, scissors, sewing machine, and other related equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.  

The employee must occasionally support and/or maneuver heavy patients of limited physical capacity. 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function