Part Time Program Associate/ Activity Aide

The Program Associate is accountable to the Director of Programs & Support Services and provides recreation activities for individuals with disabilities or illnesses. Using a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, animals, sports, games, dance and movement, drama, music, and community outings. Program Associates improve and maintain the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the resident. Under the direction of the Program Director he/she helps individuals reduce depression, stress, and anxiety; recover basic motor functioning and reasoning abilities; build confidence; and socialize effectively. They carry out recreational interventions consistent with the residents' needs and interests as directed by the Program Director.

Background/Qualifications:

- Diploma in recreation, or related field.
- Minimum 1 year experience in a social or recreation program preferred.
- Able to identify new methods to incorporate recreation into programing for residents.
- Basic knowledge of medical terminology an asset.
- Ability to assume leadership in a group.
- Must have patience, tact, friendly disposition, enthusiasm, and developed communication skills.
- Highly flexible, with solid interpersonal skills that allow one to work effectively in a diverse working environment.
- Must have a basic understanding of the elderly and aging process.
- Excellent time management and project management skills.
- Able to deal with people sensitively, tactfully, diplomatically, and professionally at all times.
- Understanding of Microsoft Office programs and good organizational skills.
- Demonstrated understanding of patient /client safety procedures.
- Strong customer service skills.

Core Competencies:
Resident-Centred Care
Definition: Ensures and maintains resident satisfaction with the product and services offered by the organization.

Communication:
Definition: Clearly conveys information to a variety of audiences using the tools necessary, engaging the audience to ensure the message is delivered and understood, creating a positive first impression with confidence and respect.

Energy & Stress
Definition: Consistently demonstrates high level of drive, infectious to the surrounding environment, and preserves effectiveness, drive and focus for extended periods of time, while maintaining composure in highly stressful or adverse situations.

Team Work
Definition: Promotes cooperation and commitment with the team towards the attainment of common goals. Gets others excited about and committed to furthering the organization’s objectives. Enables cooperative and productive group interactions.

Quality Orientation
Definition: Completes tasks keeping in mind all aspects involved regardless of magnitude, checks tasks and processes while having attention to details. Follows occupational health and safety regulations as per homes policies and procedure.

Problem Solving
Definition: Resolves difficult and complicated challenges.

Time Management/Accountability/ Dependability
Definition: takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and achieves results with no oversight, including following guidelines, standards regulations and principles. Maximizes time in order to accomplish tasks.

Operating Equipment
Definition: uses tools, machines and vehicles to transport or create products or services.

Ethics and Integrity
Definition: earns the trust and respect of others through consistent honesty and professionalism in all interactions. Diplomatically handles challenging or tense interpersonal situations

Job Duties:
Plan and perform group and one to one activities meeting the needs of each resident and encourages participation.
- Ensure each resident’s physical, social, intellectual, spiritual and sensory emotional needs are met through independent activities or group in accordance with Program Directors direction.
- Encourage residents who are isolated from others or who have limited social skills to have recreational interaction with others.
- Assists in developing and updating the recreational interventions addressing the needs of the residents.
- Encourage residents to continue independent activities.
- Observe and document the individual resident attendance, participation, reactions, and progress.
- Instruct residents in relaxation techniques to reduce stress and tension, stretching and limbering exercises, proper body mechanics for participation in recreational activities, pacing and energy conservation techniques, and team activities.
- Use interventions to develop specific skills, while providing opportunities for exercise, mental stimulation, creativity, and fun.
- Deliver treatment plans set by Program Director to meet needs of residents.
- Encourage residents with special needs and circumstances to acquire new skills and get involved in health-promoting leisure activities, such as sports, games, arts and crafts, and gardening.
- Confer with members of treatment team to plan and give input into th