Activities Director (Behavioral Health Unit) - Ahwatukee Post Acute

About the job

General Purpose

The primary purpose of the Activity Director position is to plan, organize, develop, and direct the overall operation of the Activity Department in accordance with current federal, state, local, and corporate standards, regulations, and guidelines. The Activity Director is responsible for ensuring an ongoing, resident-centered activity program designed to meet, in accordance with comprehensive assessments and care plans, the interests and physical, mental, emotional, and psychosocial needs of each resident, with particular attention to the specialized needs of residents in the behavioral health unit.

Essential Duties

• Plan, develop, organize, implement, evaluate, and direct resident-centered activities throughout the facility.
• Keep abreast of current federal and state regulations, as well as applicable professional standards.
• Provide effective communication between employees of all levels, residents, their families, support personnel, government agencies/personnel, and the public to ensure the needs and best interests of residents, the community, and facility are met to the extent possible.
• Participate in community planning related to the interests of the facility and the services and needs of residents and their families.
• Participate in facility surveys conducted by authorized government agencies.
• Assist in reviewing and developing plans of correction for activity deficiencies noted during survey inspections and provide a written copy of such reports to the Administrator.
• Participate in regular meetings, including General Staff, Department Head, Quality Improvement, Quality Assurance (TEAM, Infection Control), Safety Committee, Marketing, and Family and Resident Council meetings.
• Assist the Quality Assurance and Assessment Committee in developing and implementing appropriate plans of action to correct identified quality deficiencies.
• Participate in discharge planning, development and implementation of activity care plans, and resident assessments.
• Assist in arranging transportation for residents when necessary, including resident outings, transportation to and from appointments, or discharge.
• Develop a monthly activity schedule for residents, including resident outings, regularly scheduled group activities, and in-room activities for bed-bound or isolated residents.
• Encourage residents to participate in self-initiated activities, including hobbies, crafts, and reading. Provide materials as necessary, including reading materials in Braille or audiobooks when appropriate.
• Ensure that all charted activity progress notes are informative and descriptive of the services provided and the resident's response to those services.

Behavioral Health Unit-Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and implement structured daily activity programs specifically designed to meet the recreational, social, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial needs of residents in the behavioral health unit.
• Establish consistent daily activity schedules that promote routine, positive engagement, socialization, and meaningful use of residents' time.
• Provide individualized and group activities appropriate for residents with varying behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and functional needs.
• Incorporate recreational activities such as music, art, crafts, exercise, sensory activities, games, and other structured programming to encourage participation and positive engagement.
• Utilize appropriate communication, redirection, and engagement techniques when working with residents who may demonstrate behavioral challenges, agitation, withdrawal, or difficulty participating in activities.
• Work collaboratively with nursing, social services, and other interdisciplinary team members to identify resident needs, address behavioral concerns, and develop appropriate activity interventions.
• Monitor resident participation and response to activities, documenting progress and communicating changes in engagement, behavior, or activity preferences to the interdisciplinary team.
• Maintain a safe, structured, and supportive activity environment while promoting resident dignity, independence, choice, and respect.
• Adapt activities and programming based on resident response, individual care plans, interests, and changing behavioral or psychosocial needs.
• Encourage positive social interaction and provide opportunities for residents to develop interpersonal skills, participate in group settings, and build meaningful connections with others.

Supervisory Requirements

Assist with the overall supervision and management of the Activity Department staff. Provide direction, guidance, and support to activity staff to ensure department responsibilities and resident programming are carried out effectively.

Qualifications

Education and/or Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Preferably one year of experience in a long-term care facility.
• Experience working with individuals with behavioral health needs, mental health challenges, dementia, or other cognitive and psychosocial needs preferred.
• Experience developing and leading structured group and individualized recreational programs preferred.

Language Skills

• Ability to read technical procedures.
• Ability to read and comprehend policy and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers, employees, residents, and families.

Mathematical Skills

• Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

• Ability to solve practical problems.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Ability to recognize resident needs and adjust activities and programming appropriately.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Activity Director certification.

Physical Demands

The essential functions of this position require the following physical abilities: Standing and/or walking very frequently. Sitting occasionally. Reaching with hands and arms frequently. Pushing/pulling very frequently. Talking and/or hearing very frequently. Tasting and/or smelling very frequently. Lifting up to 50 pounds frequently. Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling occasionally. Close, distance, color, peripheral, and depth perception in vision; ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. The position requires regular interaction with residents in a behavioral health setting and the ability to maintain a calm, supportive, and structured environment.

Additional Information

Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.