Activities Assistant

Incumbent works under the direction of the Recreation Therapy Coordinator or designee, implementing specified recreation programs to benefit the residents' mental, physical, social, and emotional growth and development.

• Assist in planning/implementing recreation programs, providing input on the condition/capabilities of residents in relation to the individual resident's care plan.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
• Conduct individual and group activities (e.g. games, crafts, music appreciation, group discussions).
• Conduct one-to-one visits with residents who have limited abilities and/or special needs.
• Assist in developing/conducting therapeutic activities/exercises which promote the physical well-being of residents.
• Assist residents with limited abilities as directed; use adaptive equipment to enable residents to function and participate at their fullest capability.
• Obtain input from residents on current activities and submit recommendations to supervisor.
• Remain alert to the condition/capabilities of the resident while engaged in activities and report any change in the condition of the resident to the proper personnel.
• Record resident attendance at therapeutic recreation programs, maintaining all reports as required.
• Assist volunteers and other members of the allied health care team in the organization/implementation of various religious and social activities (e.g. community outings, picnics, and religious services) as directed.
• Assure that residents are aware of scheduled activities and provide assistance in escorting residents and encouraging resident participation.
• Assist in the care of dogs, cats, birds, gardens, fountains, and plants at Douglas County Health Center.
• Maintain clinic area and other department storage areas as necessary.
• Drive residents to various community outings and ensure resident safety.
• Perform light clerical and messenger duties as assigned.
• Stock supplies for activities and gift shop.
• Perform pre/post trip inspections of wheelchair accessible vehicle.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle (e.g. wheelchair accessible van) when required to travel on County business.
• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned and directed.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• One (1) year of experience in Recreational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Activities, or Life Enrichment required.*
• Experience in a geriatric and/or psychiatric setting preferred.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal background check, post-offer drug screen, and physical assessment.
• *Equivalent education beyond high school in recreation or leading groups may be substituted for the experience requirement on a month-for-month basis.

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed in a healthcare environment. Work hours may vary (e.g. evenings, weekends, holidays, overtime). Noise level is usually moderate, but may be intense. Work involves potential exposure to biohazards and infectious materials. Work requires extensive interaction with the residents and family members, and may be stressful when dealing with time constraints, limited resources, and irate/socially maladjusted individuals.
• Work requires some physical activity including extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and occasional bending crouching reaching stooping and climbing. An incumbent must have the ability to transport themselves to and from various locations throughout the Douglas County Health Center and other locations. An incumbent must have the ability to frequently lift/carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds. Work may involve moving and repositioning of residents, applying principles of body mechanics to avoid injury to residents and self. Must be able to operate duet type bicycle while safely transporting residents weighing up to 250 pounds. An incumbent must also have the strength, agility and physical endurance to perform CPR.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, touch and smell. Vision abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must possess sufficient hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to operate vehicles, computers, and other equipment that is used to perform the essential functions of the job.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans