Activity Aide Per Diem

POSITION SUMMARY:

Responsible for the performance of designated tasks related to the operation of therapeutic group programming on Geri Psych Department. The Activity Aid provides age appropriate, group and individual activities, in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provides quality patient care using varied sensory interventions appropriate to patient physical and cognitive status.
• Organize and facilitate therapeutic psychiatric groups.
• Assists in maintaining a safe and clean environment by adherence to department maintenance and infection control procedures.
• Reports any changes observed in patient status and/or unusual incidents to the appropriate staff member.
• Participates in planning, organizing and selecting patient related daily, weekly, and monthly activities and projects.
• Integrates activities into the daily milieu independently and in collaboration with other staff members.
• Displays organizational skills and inventories materials and supplies as needed, and communicates with appropriate staff.
• Maintains timely and accurate documentation, including group documentation, 1:1, and crisis plan as appropriate.
• Consistently demonstrates an awareness and concern for patient safety and complies with hospital infection control policies.
• Displays excellent communication skills, working well with others in the spirit of teamwork and collaboration.
• Appropriately refers unanswerable questions/problems to the appropriate person; seeks information to clarify requests/assignments.
• Assists in selected portions of the orientation and/or training of new employees.
• Consistently demonstrates a complete knowledge of body mechanics to avoid injury to self or patients.
• Demonstrates good judgment in appropriately prioritizing work to meet departmental needs, standards, and deadlines; seeks assistance to prioritize in cases of uncertainty.
• Reacts to change productively and performs other job related tasks and duties as assigned.

CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS:

• Is cooperative in interactions, treating patients, peers, and visitors with courtesy, respect and compassion.
• Is patient when responding to questions and answers questions appropriately.
• Responds to requests in a timely manner.
• Handles interruptions in a skillful way.
• Demonstrates communication
• Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor.
• Strives to prevent/resolve customer concerns to the customer’s satisfaction

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:

• Is responsible for ongoing development of his/her work skills through the use of available resources: in-services, Steward University, and unit specific education.
• Demonstrates knowledge of therapeutic group process for the older adult population.
• Attends and participates in staff meetings and partnership council/work groups.
• Performs analytical and decision making functions with minimal supervision.
• Recognizes and seeks assistance/consultation when appropriate.
• Demonstrates an understanding of relative Hospital and departmental policies and procedures, programs and services.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/LICENSURE/TECHNICAL/OTHER:

Required Qualifications: High School Diploma, experience working with the geriatric and/or behavioral health population, and a minimum two years of experience facilitating therapeutic groups.

Preferred Qualifications: Health related experience, CNA