Recreational Aide

This position works in a hospital or long-term care facility and is primarily responsible to provide supportive, therapeutic, and recreational activities to patients/residents under general direction.

• Under the general guidance and review of the supervisor and with consideration to patients/residents' abilities and/or disabilities, this position exercises initiative and imagination in independently planning, organizing, and implementing activities which are appropriate for the subject group.


• In collaboration with the supervisor, appropriately assesses and re-assesses residents' activity interest needs and concerns through observation, conversation and with written information.


• Assist the supervisor, to reintegrate patients/residents into the community by accompanying residents on excursions to shopping malls, theaters, and restaurants, on picnics, bus/van rides, and other appropriate leisure activities within the community.


• Works with patients/residents on an individual basis as necessary.


• Coordinate activities with other hospital staff to ensure that all supplies, equipment, materials, etc., are available and serviceable for the planned activities; ensures that there are no conflicts with other disciplines or schedules; logs activities planned/scheduled on activity calendar blackboard.


• Work closely with the hospitals dietary department in making request for special or ethnic food selections; ensuring that dietary department and all involved personnel are aware when patients/residents will be off-site for a particular meal, and when plans are changed.


• Maintain established hospital and work unit policies, procedures, objectives, continuous quality improvement programs, and safety measures.


• Transport patients/residents to and from recreational activities and assists with ambulation when necessary.


• May be assigned volunteers, students, and lower-level staff to assist with activities, programs and selected work assignments.


• Implement moderately complex therapeutic measures prescribed for the patient/resident in accordance with standard methods and procedures.


• Record entries and maintain records of patient/resident charts documenting behaviors, attitudes, responses, plans, goals, and other significant incidents on a regular basis.


• Prepare, setup, clean-up and return of all equipment and supplies to proper areas at the end of an activity; help operate and maintain audiovisual equipment; assist with inventories; responsible for the maintenance and care of all the equipment, supplies and facilities related to recreational activities; reports shortages, needs, and requests for supplies and equipment; assists Certified Nurse Aide or licensed staff with toileting, bathing, dressing, and grooming; may operate motor vehicles to transport patients on excursions into the community, may be assigned to attend interdisciplinary groups and other meetings.

Qualifications:

• Minimum one (1) year of work experience in a hospital or medical institution/program observing, reporting, and implementing care on physical and/or mental symptoms and conditions, and providing recreational therapy practices or techniques OR completion of an occupational therapy assistant education program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in recreation, physical education, special education, psychology or sociology.

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Basic Life Support within 1 months of hire from American Heart Association

• Demonstrated proficiency in the application of all of the knowledge and abilities, specified below for the Full Performance level, in providing the full range of services to the clientele of the work site, independently. Knowledge of the policies, procedures and work rules of the work site.


• Such experience must have demonstrated knowledge of basic spoken and written English; personal hygiene; bodily care and body mechanics; and housekeeping; the ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate effectively with others in English; perform tasks involving heavy physical effort (e.g., lift, position, push, pull, and carry 50 lbs. or more; and walk/stand for extended periods of time); demonstrate poise and tact in dealing with a wide range of patients/residents with different illnesses and injuries; interact patiently and respectfully with staff, patients/residents and visitors.

• Possess, or be able to obtain a Public Utilities Carrier license.