Recreation Student

Job Title: Recreation Student
Department: Therapeutic Recreation

Job Purpose

Under the direction of the Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator and Therapeutic Recreation Programmer, the Recreation Student is responsible for the planning, documenting, and implementing meaningful recreation and leisure activities suited to meet the individual needs, interests, and abilities of all residents.

Assigned areas of work

The Recreation Student will be required to work throughout Nakile Home for Special Care and outside areas as well as taking the residents on outings in the community.

Specific Responsibilities

• Responsible to organize and implement daily resident activities, according to their different levels of functioning.
• Responsible to keep accurate attendance records of each activity implemented by the Recreation Student.
• Responsible for one on one visits with residents.
• To provide sensory stimulation for the residents with dementia.
• To educate residents willing to become familiar with the computer (i.e creating their own e-mail address)
• Plan and facilitate special events and/or themed weeks (i.e Abuptic Celebration, Acadian Week, Family Day etc.)
• Participate in the multidisciplinary team in planning implementing and evaluating individualized care plans for each resident.
• Responsible to transport residents to and from activities.
• To assist in the monthly planning of the activity schedule.
• Responsible to ensure residents are informed of upcoming events.
• To assist in gathering information for residents social histories.
• Responsible for the resident canteen.
• Responsible for assisting residents fill their bird feeders.
• Responsible for assisting residents with their vegetable gardens and planters.
• To ensure the recreation equipment is in good working order.
• Responsible to co-ordinate a fundraiser for Resident Council.
• To follow Back Care guidelines on Lifting and Transferring Residents and Objects.
• Other duties as assigned by Nakile Team and Residents.

Hours of Work

35-40 hours per week for 14 weeks backcare - change to PACE

Two (2) fifteen-minute break and a thirty (30) minute lunch or supper break depending on the hours worked during a day.

Hours worked per day will be flexible due to the nature of recreation.

Job Knowledge

• A sincere interest in caring for and working with the elderly, as well as an understanding of the special needs of the aged residents and chronically ill.
• Knowledge of the Home's mission statement, goals and objectives, policies and standards.
• Knowledge of the standard for Recreation as outlined by the Department of Health and Nova Scotia Recreation Professionals in Health.
• A knowledge of the Disaster and Emergency procedure and Fire Regulations for Nakile Home.
• An understanding of WHMIS guideline and products.
• An understanding of the Back Care Guidelines.

Details of physical activities

• Lifting when transferring resident from wheelchair to chair or vice versa, in the facility, in the bus or on an outing elsewhere.
• Lifting furniture such as tables and chairs.
• Bending while performing many of the activities, such as Bowling, darts, ring toss, etc.
• Pushing or pulling wheelchairs while bringing residents to and from activities.
• Upper body movement (stretching) while performing exercises with residents in chairs.

Working conditions

• Part of the multidisciplinary team.
• Availability of a wheelchair accessible bus to bring residents on outings.
• Availability of meals to purchase on site
• A home-like atmosphere provided by the Resident Kitchenette.
• Access to staff lounge with refrigerator, toaster, percolator and microwave.

Possible Hazards

• Possible back injury due to improper lifting
• Subject to bus malfunctions.
• May be subject to scents.

Training required

• WHMIS program
• Back Care Course
• First Aid
• Food Handlers