Recreation Assistant

**Villa Cathay Care Home invites you to join us in making a difference**

Villa Cathay Care Home is committed to providing the highest quality, individualized and professional care to our seniors. By creating a safe, warm, and culturally focused Home, our elderly residents and their families find comfort, respect, and dignity. Our interdisciplinary team of professionals provide care with love and respect, honoring the dignity of seniors.

**JOB SUMMARY**:
Under the direction of the Recreation Therapist and guided by the mission, vision, and values of Villa Cathay Care Home Society, this position assists in planning, organizing, and implementing meaningful recreation programs for groups and individuals to meet the physical, social, cultural, and spiritual needs of the residents.

**RESPONSIBILITIES**:
Reporting to the Recreation Therapist, and working closely with other care team members, the Recreation Assistant, helps to create and implement recreation programs for residents suited to their ability, care needs, and preferences. Duties may include:

- Implementing resident recreation programs such as arts and crafts, sports, music, gardening, exercises, and outings according to the established program guidelines protocols.
- Coordinating a variety of programs for residents according to their functional ability, care needs, interests, and preferences.
- Observes and documents residents’ preferences and responses. Reports to and consults with the Recreation Therapist for adjustments to the residents’ person-centered recreation plan.
- Reporting relevant observations of residents' progress and behaviour by communicating concerns and/or changes in residents' condition to the Recreation Therapist and/or inter-disciplinary team members. Following interdisciplinary behavioral modification plan if applicable.
- Setting up the activity area as necessary and assisting with transporting residents to and from programs, if required.
- Encouraging resident’s participation and coaching residents to learn or improve techniques or skills participation.
- Coordinating with care team members to support residents’ participation in their recreation programs of choice.
- Taking attendance, overseeing the programs, and providing input to the Recreation Therapist for further program development.
- Organizing and implementing outings during the summer months and for special occasions.
- Promoting social interaction among residents by leading assigned activities or special events; assisting new residents with orientation to the building and to the recreation program, and introducing them to the others within the residence, and promoting conversation and social interaction among residents.
- Liaising with the care team to prepare residents for outings and events to create positive social experiences that enhance their sense of health and wellbeing.
- May be required to operate a bus with seating capacity of up to 15 passengers (including the driver) to transport residents to and from community activities.
- Collaborating and coordinating with other team members and volunteers to safely embark and disembark residents from the facility bus.
- Performing routine inspections of the facility bus and reporting maintenance requirements as needed.
- Providing direction and orientation to volunteers for the recreation programs. Monitoring and reporting to the Recreation Therapist volunteers’ effectiveness and goal alignment with the organization.
- Maintaining the inventory of supplies and materials and reporting malfunctioning equipment and supply requirements to appropriate staff.
- Assisting with the maintenance of department records including assessments and evaluations of planned programs, detailing individual participation, and charting.
- Maintaining effective communication and good working relations with residents, families, volunteers and staff of other departments, keeping them informed of current and upcoming events.
- Performing other related duties as assign.

**QUALIFICATIONS**

**Education, Training and Experience**
- Diploma from a recognized recreation program or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Minimum 1 year of recent experience in delivering activity/recreation programs in a residential care setting.
- Current Basic First Aid and CPR Certificate.
- Current BC Class 4 driver’s license.

**Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Attributes**
- Demonstrated interest and passion for working with seniors to promote all aspects of wellbeing.
- Ability to effectively listen to residents and to understand their needs through verbal and non-verbal communication.
- Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and ability to resolve issues effectively and collaboratively.
- Physical and psychological ability to carry out the duties of the position.
- Ability to organize work and prioritize tasks according to the organizational goals.
- Ability to use basic function of Microsoft Office sui