Position Summary: The Life Enrichment Coordinator (LEC) is responsible for the planning, directing, and providing hands-on program implementation at the retirement residence locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The Life Enrichment program is intended as a program which is designed to meet the social and recreational needs of the sisters including specialized programming for memory care. The LEC collaborates with key staff positions including the Sister Life Ministers, Administrator and Healthcare Coordinators. The LEC has primary responsibility for program design, development and ongoing implementation, including best practice memory care initiatives. The LEC reports to the Regional Director of Health and Wellness with dotted line responsibility/accountability to Facility designees.
Position Responsibilities:
* Develop, implement and evaluate the care programs provided in the Life Enrichment Program at the retirement residence sites.
* Lead/ direct the Program team in providing innovative and individualized daily life activities to promote health and wellbeing.
* Contribute to creating an environment that is warm, accepting and respectful in which the Sisters can interact positively within the program and with other Sisters living at the retirement residences.
* Coordinate appropriate interdisciplinary assessment for each Sister and recommend suggestions and interventions.
* Assist the Sisters in maintaining and maximizing their highest level of functioning for as long as possible.
* Participate in care planning meetings and work with interdisciplinary team to initiate and update care initiatives.
* Provide person-directed care for the Sister based on behavioral, physical, cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and psychological capacity.
* Create an environment that promotes a person-centered care philosophy that respects and promotes the strengths, abilities and preferences within the program and throughout the community
* Collaborate with other disciplines, families and physicians in meeting the needs of Sisters by providing emotional support and information on available resources as well as continual program development, evaluation and expansion.
* Collaborate with the appropriate staff in developing and providing education to staff on the needs and care of those with dementia, including orientation and ongoing education to maintain staff competency in dementia care. This includes educating other Sisters, family, volunteers, etc. to the program.
* Serve as a role model in management of Sisters with behavioral concerns.
* Participate with the team in responding to Sisters having behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, applying a holistic evaluative approach to address symptoms, promoting the least restrictive interventions
* Develop and review policies and procedures as needed.
* Suggest modification of day-to-day operations to address Sisters' needs and direct staff in day-to-day operations through education and modeling
* Participate in meetings and committees as required.
* Continuously enhance professional knowledge level and skills in senior care/specialized programming and apply knowledge and skill to function as the "resident resource" in care and advocate accordingly.
* Participate in advocacy initiatives with professional associations that promote evidence-based practices and research in the field of senior care well-being.
* Serve as resource/facilitator for Life Enrichment program development and implementation throughout the Mid-Atlantic Community.
* Directly collaborate, teach and coach the direct care staff.
* Comply with all Sister of Mercy Human Resource policies and procedures.
* Perform all other duties as assigned by the Regional Director of Health and Wellness.
Position Qualifications:
* Bachelor's degree in Healthcare, gerontology or related field
* Training and/or certification as therapeutic recreational director, activities director, nurse or social worker
* A minimum of three years' experience in Long Term Care, preferably with senior adult program development
* Knowledge of gerontology/dementia care standards of care
* Knowledge of medications/behavior management
* Ability to work independently and within a team environment
* Strong communication, organizational, time management and interpersonal skills
* Demonstrated ability in program development and implementation
* Proven ability in hands-on application with ongoing staff training, education and development
* Maintains a current driver's license in good standing
* Ability and willingness to travel as necessary to other retirement residences.
* Ability to cultivate effective working relationships with broad range of co-workers and external contacts.
Physical Requirements
•Push, pull, lift, or carry up to as much as 20 pounds occasionally, generally sedentary
•Must be able to sit for long periods of time and be able to file documents
Visual/Audible Acuity Requirements
•Must be able to read and distinguish small print
•Must be able to speak clearly and make yourself understood while also understanding others using the English language
Key Competencies:
•Performance leadership
•Verbal and written communication
•Attention to detail
•Problem solving
•Service orientation
•Creative and innovative thinking
•Interpersonal influence
