HIGHLAND-CLARKSBURG HOSPITAL

JOB DESCIPTION

ACTIVITIES AIDE

JOB SUMMARY:

Conducts comprehensive recreational therapy services designed to facilitate the psychosocial rehabilitation of psychiatric patients in an acute psychiatric health care facility. Reports directly to the Activities Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

• Explains the benefits and orients patients to the activities program.
• Devotes time specifically, interacting with the patients and staying the duration of the activity.
• Observing patient's interest levels and behaviors while motivating her/him toward activities which are beneficial to them. Maintains an awareness of patient's needs and individual goals.
• Understands the abilities and special needs of specific age groups as well as specific

individuals. Communicates with the patients on their level of understanding.

• Listens attentively to any patient complaints and works in a positive manner to help alleviate the problem. Assists in limit setting in a firm but kind manner, treating all individuals with respect and kindness.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives a thorough report from nursing staff before taking patients to off unit activities.
• Assists with activity planning by offering new activity ideas and has the ability to plan and lead all activities.
• Attends and participates in Recreation monthly meetings and may be asked to work on committees or teams.
• Self-motivating - does not need to be reminded of specific or general duties by peers or supervisor. Works well and cooperates with staff in other departments. Reports concerns in a timely manner to direct supervisor.
• Performs non-patient duties between activities such as cleaning sinks, art room counters at the end of day, and putting exercise equipment away. May be asked to transport patients in hospital vehicles, learn to use various copiers or fax machines, and attend therapeutic community outings.
• Completes an activity assessment on every patient within 48 hours.
• Counts sharps at the beginning of each group, helping to keep the recreation areas neat and organized while maintaining a safe environment.
• Helps maintain safety checks and cleaning logs.
• Checks with supervisor to approve spending.
• Maintains supplies and keeps inventory, ordering from central supply and kitchen.
• Keeps supplies in order: check markers, crayons, projects, sand paper, steel wool, glue, safety scissors, etc.; cleans out old projects;
• Keeps aware and helps enforce hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• May assist in orientation of new employees.
• Exercises good judgment and sets positive examples, using TQM principals.
• Other duties as assigned.

HIGHLAND-CLARKSBURG HOSPITAL

JOB DESCIPTION

ACTIVITIES AIDE

JOB SUMMARY:

Conducts comprehensive recreational therapy services designed to facilitate the psychosocial rehabilitation of psychiatric patients in an acute psychiatric health care facility. Reports directly to the Activities Director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTION:

• Explains the benefits and orients patients to the activities program.
• Devotes time specifically, interacting with the patients and staying the duration of the activity.
• Observing patient's interest levels and behaviors while motivating her/him toward activities which are beneficial to them. Maintains an awareness of patient's needs and individual goals.
• Understands the abilities and special needs of specific age groups as well as specific

individuals. Communicates with the patients on their level of understanding.

• Listens attentively to any patient complaints and works in a positive manner to help alleviate the problem. Assists in limit setting in a firm but kind manner, treating all individuals with respect and kindness.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Receives a thorough report from nursing staff before taking patients to off unit activities.
• Assists with activity planning by offering new activity ideas and has the ability to plan and lead all activities.
• Attends and participates in Recreation monthly meetings and may be asked to work on committees or teams.
• Self-motivating - does not need to be reminded of specific or general duties by peers or supervisor. Works well and cooperates with staff in other departments. Reports concerns in a timely manner to direct supervisor.
• Performs non-patient duties between activities such as cleaning sinks, art room counters at the end of day, and putting exercise equipment away. May be asked to transport patients in hospital vehicles, learn to use various copiers or fax machines, and attend therapeutic community outings.
• Completes an activity assessment on every patient within 48 hours.
• Counts sharps at the beginning of each group, helping to keep the recreation areas neat and organized while maintaining a safe environment.
• Helps maintain safety checks and cleaning logs.
• Checks with supervisor to approve spending.
• Maintains supplies and keeps inventory, ordering from central supply and kitchen.
• Keeps supplies in order: check markers, crayons, projects, sand paper, steel wool, glue, safety scissors, etc.; cleans out old projects;
• Keeps aware and helps enforce hospital and departmental policies and procedures.
• May assist in orientation of new employees.
• Exercises good judgment and sets positive examples, using TQM principals.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to set, climb or balance, stoop, knell or crouch, and smell. The employee must occasionally lift or assist a patient and be able to move up to 100 pounds. Incumbent will be expected to participate as necessary in the physical restraint of patients, have the ability to respond to rapidly escalating patient situations, and adapt to the many varied resultant physical posturing as a result of such circumstances after Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described herein 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently is required to talk, hear, and use hands to finger, handle or feel objects. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to set, climb or balance, stoop, knell or crouch, and smell. The employee must occasionally lift or assist a patient and be able to move up to 100 pounds. Incumbent will be expected to participate as necessary in the physical restraint of patients, have the ability to respond to rapidly escalating patient situations, and adapt to the many varied resultant physical posturing as a result of such circumstances after Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience working with people in an activity, supportive, or service capacity.

MEPAP 1 course completion a plus

Language Skills:

Ability to read and interpret instructions, documents and follow procedures.

Ability to write routine reports and speak effectively with patients and their families, employees, and public.

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables as needed. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Certificates, Licenses, Registration:

Valid West Virginia driver’s license.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Ability to work flexible hours,

Ability to work with children, adolescents or adults experiencing mental health disturbances or dual diagnoses.