Recreation Assistant (Resident Care)

The Role

Works collaboratively with the team to provide residents with the opportunity to engage in meaningful activities and programs. Provides residents with a sense of belonging and opportunities to be actively involved in the Sunnyside community.

Supports care approaches that are evidence-informed, recognize the uniqueness of each person, put people before tasks, and support an awareness of one’s contribution to the relationship, including personal attitudes, values, and actions. Assists the Recreation Therapist in implementing and monitoring therapeutic, person-centred programs.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Works as part of a multidisciplinary team to create a caring, person-centred, home-like environment where people feel listened to and cared about. 
• Creates opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful and purposeful therapeutic programs and daily living tasks (gardening, baking, household chores, making and serving tea, etc.) and activities in accordance with the residents’ assessed interests, needs, and abilities. Sets up the environment to support meaningful engagement, including items of historic/personal interest, to promote independent, spontaneous engagement and a sense of joy and purpose. Monitors to ensure residents are not left alone for long periods without engagement.
• Encourages meaningful, relaxed, social mealtimes for residents and team members. Serves and assists during meals, assists residents with eating as directed. Documents food intake per procedures and reports unusual occurrences to RPN, RN.
• Supports family, visitor, student, and volunteer involvement in the daily running of the home area. Maintains relationships and communication with residents, staff, students, volunteers, and visitors.
• Works with the Recreation Therapist to develop and administer therapeutic, individual, and group programs to meet the needs, abilities, and interests of a diverse population of residents.
• Completes daily attendance and charting as required.  
• Responds promptly to resident call lights and assists in meeting residents’ needs. 
• Participates in rounds, BSO meetings and care conferences as directed.
• Assists the team with planning and staging rooms and corridors, ensuring infection control practices are followed. Procures equipment required to renew and stage the environment.
• Assists the Recreation Therapist with planning outings involving residents and family members. When outside the facility, ensures resident care, including appropriate medication, safety, and comfort per policies and procedures. Reports significant occurrences to registered team members on return from outings, and documents accordingly.

Additional Duties/Responsibilities

• Participates in special events, such as bus trips, outings, seasonal social events, teas, and pub night.
• Maintains required documentation to communicate observed engagement, behaviour, participation in recreation programs, and changes in functional ability. Completes daily attendance and charting as required.  
• Prepares regular reports on resident engagement, needs, and preferences to the care team.  
• Uses standard therapeutic procedures to implement programs, including assisting residents, observing and monitoring residents' progress, and adjusting program content to meet residents’ needs. Communicates significant problems and concerns to resident care staff and management.
• Works with residents on a one-to-one basis or in group programs to engage them in activities related to their interests and life histories. Ensures resident safety and wellbeing throughout the day. 
• Supports volunteers and/or students in their involvement in assisting with programs or providing one-to-one visits with residents. 
• Monitors and identifies program supplies required and obtains approval for purchases as necessary. Communicates purchases with Recreation Therapist for budget tracking. Has a p-card to make purchases/pay for events. Submits statements to supervisor for approval. Submits requisitions for petty cash purchases upon supervisor’s approval. 
• Ensures supplies and equipment are maintained and secure (e.g., pianos, bar, therapeutic courtyard, Snoezelen).
• Demonstrates/explains work procedures to help train volunteers, students and/or new staff as directed. Assigns and monitors the work of program volunteers who assist in providing care for participants during specific activities. Reports any related performance problems to supervisor.
• Keeps knowledge current through in-service training and communications. 
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a community college diploma in Recreation or equivalent, with emphasis on dementia, plus directly related experience implementing social and recreational programs.
• Knowledge of normal aging processes, illness, and cognitive impairment, as well as planning and implementing activities for people with dementia.
• Ability to implement therapeutic programs and adapt activities to the interests, abilities and skill level of individuals.
• Knowledge of best practices in person-centred dementia care and meaningful engagement for older adults, normally acquired through training and education (e.g., DementiAbility, Validation Communication, Butterfly Approach, Eden Alternative, Gentle Persuasive Approaches, Positive Approach to Care). 
• Must have a tuberculosis (TB) test and required immunization(s).
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, and related legislation. 
• Ability to demonstrate compassion, validate emotions, support dignity, and promote understanding of those living with dementia. 
• Human relations and communication skills to interact pleasantly and professionally with residents, their families, volunteers and other staff; engage residents and their families in recreation and social programs, using positive language to support emotional wellbeing; assist on outings; work with RPN and RN to provide personal care; and participate as an effective team member. 
• Ability to read and interpret resident charts, educational materials, and policy and procedure manuals. 
• Ability to document progress or changes in residents' charts; maintain monthly statistics on program participation. Ability to write letters, program plans, monthly event calendars, newsletter articles, and related projects as assigned.
• Ability to read articles, journals, and memos and participate in professional development activities to keep knowledge current.
• Organization and time management skills to plan and coordinate programs and outings. 
• Ability to work independently.
• Creativity, flexibility, organizational, advocacy, and problem-solving skills to meet changing resident needs.
• Computer skills with ability to use Microsoft Office (including Excel) and support residents using computers.
• Ability to work irregular, evening, and weekend hours.
• Working knowledge of passenger security devices, such as the Q-straint system.
• Must provide an acceptable vulnerable sector police records check. 
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.