Countryside Health Care of Milford is seeking a creative, dedicated, and enthusiastic Director of Activities to join our team. Countryside Health Care has an impeccable reputation within the community. We offer a competitive salary, benefits, and flexible schedules.

Purpose:  To assist in the planning, organization, development, and direction of the overall operations of the Activity Department in accordance with current federal, state, and local standards, guidelines and regulations, our established policies and procedures, and as may be directed by the Administrator to assure that an on-going program of activities is designed to meet, in accordance with the comprehensive assessment, the interests and the physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident.

Duties and Responsibilities: Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct the activity programs of this facility.

Keep updated on current federal and state regulations, as well as professional standards of practice, and make recommendations on changes in policies and procedures to the Administrator.

Review department policies and procedures, at least annually, and participate in making recommended changes.

Develop and implement policies and procedures for the identification of medically related activity needs of the resident.

Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of activity care plans and resident assessments.

Interview resident/families as necessary and in a private setting.

Perform administrative requirements, such as completing necessary forms, reports, etc., and submitting such to the Administrator as required.

Involve residents and families in planning facility activity programs.

Assist in the review and updating of departmental job descriptions at least annually.

Assume the authority, responsibility, and accountability, of directing the activity department.

Review and evaluate the department’s work force and make recommendations to the Administrator.

Coordinate activities with other departments as necessary.

Delegate authority, responsibility, and accountability, to other responsible department personnel.

Make written and oral reports/recommendations to the Administrator concerning the operation of the activity department.

Assist in standardizing the methods in which work will be accomplished.

Interpret the department’s policies and procedures to employees, residents, visitors, government agencies, etc.

Review and develop a plan of correction for activity deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copy of such report to the Administrator.

Assist the Infection Control Coordinator in identifying, evaluating, and classifying routine and job-related activity functions to ensure that tasks involving potential exposure to blood/body fluids are properly identified and recorded.

Review departmental complaints and grievances from personnel and make written reports to the Administrator of actions taken. Follow facility’s established procedures.

Participate in facility surveys (inspection) made by authorized government agencies.

Interview residents or family members to obtain activity information.

Ensure that all charted activity progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and of the resident’s response to the service.

Maintain a reference library of written material, laws, etc., necessary for complying with current standards and regulations, and that will provide assistance in maintaining a quality activity program.

Involve the resident/family in planning objectives and goals for the resident.

Meet with administration, medical and nursing staff, as well as other related departments in planning activity programs.

Agree not to disclose resident's protected health information and promptly report suspected or known violations of such disclosure to the Administrator.

Participate in the review/completion of appropriate resident assessment items, review of quality indicators, quality measures, survey results, appropriate to activity services and make necessary changes that correct identified or potential problem areas.

Attend department head meetings, etc., as scheduled or as may be called.

Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and selection of personnel for the activity department.

Schedule department work hours (including vacation and holiday schedules), personnel, work assignments, etc., to expedite work.

Delegate administrative authority, responsibility, and accountability to other activity personnel as deemed necessary to perform their assigned duties and responsibilities.

Counsel/discipline activity personnel as requested or as necessary.

Terminate employment of personnel when necessary, documenting and coordinating such actions with the HR Director and/or Administrator.

Assist in standardizing the methods in which activity programs will be performed and/or administered.

Review and check competence of activity personnel and make necessary adjustments/corrections as required or that may become necessary.

Maintain an excellent working relationship with other department supervisors and coordinate the activity program to assure that daily activities can be performed without interruption.

Make daily rounds to assure that activity personnel are performing required duties, and to assure that appropriate activity programs are being rendered to meet the needs of the resident.

Conduct departmental performance evaluations in accordance with the facility's policies and procedures.

Create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth, personal interest and positive emphasis, as well as a calm environment throughout the facility.

Ensure that departmental computer workstations left unattended are properly logged off or the password protected automatic screen-saver activates within established facility policy guidelines.

Monitor department personnel to assure that they are following established safety regulations in the use or equipment and supplies.

Ensure that department work areas are maintained in a clean, sanitary, and safe manner.

Place orders for equipment and supplies as necessary or as may be required.

Check supply rooms to assure that needed activity supplies are on hand to conduct scheduled activities.

Develop preliminary and comprehensive assessments of the activity needs of each resident.

Develop a written plan of care (preliminary and comprehensive) for each resident that identifies the problems/needs of the resident and the goals to be accomplished for each problem/need identified.

Encourage the resident/family to participate in the development and review of the resident’s plan of care.

Assist in the scheduling of activity care plans and assessments to be presented and discussed at each committee meeting.

Ensure that all activity personnel are aware of the care plan and that care plans are used in providing daily activities for the residents.

Review nurses’ notes to determine if the activity care plan is being followed. Report problems to the Director of Nursing Services.

Review and revise care plans and assessments as necessary, but at least quarterly.

Develop and maintain a good rapport with all services involved with the care plan to ensure that a team effort is achieved in developing a comprehensive plan of care.

Forecast needs of the activity department.

Assist in preparing and planning the activity department’s budget for food, equipment, supplies, and labor and submit to the Administrator for review, recommendations, and approval.

Make departmental adjustments in order to conform to approved budget, and/or as dictated by an analysis of the monthly operating statement.

Assist in making appointments for the resident as requested.

Schedule movies, plan parties, and provide game/activities for residents.

Encourage residents to participate in hobbies and crafts and the activities for the day.

Supervise activities as necessary.

Develop and maintain an activity schedule.

Assist in providing library services for residents through cooperation with local library.

Make routine visits to residents and perform assistance with crafts, projects, etc., as necessary.

Perform other duties as deemed necessary and appropriate as assigned by the Administrator.

Qualifications: Must be a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist or an activities professional who is licensed by the state and is eligible for certification as a recreation specialist or as an activities professional; or must have, as a minimum, 2 years’ experience in a social or recreation program within the last 5 years, one of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting;

or must be a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapist assistant;

or must have completed a training course approved by this state.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Possess the ability to make independent decisions and deal tactfully with personnel, residents, family members, visitors, and government agencies

Possess leadership skills and willingness to work harmoniously with other personnel

Must have patience, enthusiasm, and a cheerful disposition

Must be able to move intermittently throughout the workday

Able to read, write, speak and understand the English language

Must meet the general health requirements set forth by the policies of this facility

Able to push, pull, move and/or lift a minimum of 25 pounds for at least 50 feet with or without the aid of mechanical devices

Benefits: 403B Health Insurance Dental Insurance Disability Insurance Life Insurance Paid Time Off Employee Discounts

Salary: $30 - $36 per hour based on years of experience.