Full-Time Activities Program Director

Location: Hebrew Home – Riverdale, NY

Salaried: $72,000 - $80,000 annually

The Activities Program Director plays a key leadership role in creating and maintaining a vibrant, engaging environment for residents. This position reports to Clinical Strategies and the Regional Vice President of Operations, overseeing the daily operations of the Activities Department.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supervise and support activity staff, including coordinating staff schedules.

• Develop and implement a monthly activity calendar that reflects the interests and preferences of all residents.

• Plan, organize, and lead programs and events that promote whole-person wellness — physical, emotional, cognitive, and social.

• Conduct resident assessments and maintain accurate and timely documentation.

Why Choose HealthPro Heritage?

• Purpose-Driven Work: Be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to compassionate care and innovative therapy solutions. 
• Growth Opportunities: Enjoy continuous learning and development opportunities tailored to support your professional growth.
• Collaborative Culture: Thrive in a supportive environment where teamwork, respect, and open communication are at the heart of everything we do.
• Commitment to Excellence: Join a team recognized for clinical expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality care and outcomes.
• Competitive Benefits Package: Enjoy competitive compensation along with a comprehensive benefits package designed with YOU in mind!

Join Us in Making a Difference

At HealthPro Heritage, we offer a fulfilling career where you can positively impact lives and achieve personal and professional growth. As a therapist-led, diverse organization, we provide clinical services across various settings, including nursing facilities, retirement communities, hospitals, home care, and pediatric schools and clinics. Join us to be part of a team that values your skills, listens to your input, and makes a meaningful difference in the community.

The following is a list of specific duties, which are considered to be essential functions of this job.  The list is not exhaustive as all duties are subject to change.  This is consistent with our need to be flexible and responsive to the needs of our customers, residents, co-workers and associated policies.  The employee who occupies this position is expected to assume any/all duties assigned by management, irrespective of whether such duties are specifically included in this list.  While an effort has been made to thoroughly describe the customary manner in which this job is performed, reasonable accommodation will be made upon notification, for qualified individuals with disabilities who may not be able to perform the job in the manner indicated.

• Supervise Activity Staff;
  • May include interviewing, hiring, mentoring, orientation, staff development and supervising staff members,
  • Create staff schedules, including prn and consultants while maintaining budgeted hours and cost

• Lead the Activity program
• Supervise and participate in events alongside staff and residents

• Attend to day-to-day operations of the program, including, but not limited to attending meetings, maintain employee records, perform budgeting functions, create promotional materials and conduct surveys or needs assessments.
• Oversee the process of conducting needs assessments to ascertain physical, cognitive, and emotional abilities at admission, quarterly or during a significant change of status
  • Ensure all resident assessments on residents are completed based on the MDS schedule
  • Ensure staff completes documentation including, but not limited to Section F of the MDS and resident care plans/goals and any documentation specifically required according to state or federal regulations. 
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• Utilize information from the leisure preference assessment to plan specific activities and recreational programs to help address these needs.

• Collaborate with activity staff and members of the IDT to understand the ways in which activities can promote healing and belonging.
• Determining individual interests and expectations regarding leisure time.
• responsible for the creation, scheduling and programming of recreational and therapeutic activities, ensuring these programs meet any federal or state regulations and are safe and appropriate for seniors.
• Develop an activities program that is both sufficiently diverse and sensitive to our residents’ requirements
• Advertising events well in advance of their scheduled times
• Participate in quality improvement projects as directed by Clinical Strategies, including, but not limited to documentation review, auditing the quality of resident interviews, care plan meeting participation and the overall quality of the activities being provided
• Willingness to utilize computers on a daily basis, including typing, email, video conferencing and various software programs

• Must be able to cope with the emotional stress associated with working with patients, families, and co-workers.
• Must be able to work independently with periodic (daily or less) support and directions

• Responds to and acts appropriately in emergency or disaster situations.

• Adheres to high standards of cleanliness, grooming, hygiene and dress code
• Adheres to all documentation requirements of activities department, facility, and company

• Complete continuing education requirements according to state regulations.
• Complete facility in-services or training required according to state, federal, company, or facility requirements.  
• Ensure that activity staff completes facility in-services or training required according to state, federal, company, or facility requirements.
• Plan and execute large scale events that may include members of the greater community.
• Collaborate with facility marketing team for community exposure/promotion of facility.

• Contributes to a positive work team by sharing information, using problem-solving methods, accepting new ideas, constructive feedback and advice from others
• Demonstrates superior customer service through professionalism, courtesy, consistent and timely follow-up, and positive communication
• Adheres to all policies of company, including job descriptions, certifications requirements, mission statement, HIPAA, confidentiality standards and resident rights
• Adapts to changes in responsibilities in a positive manner, is receptive to new ways of completing tasks, and is flexible in carrying out assignments
• Communicates and interacts professionally and respectfully with others in attending to and meeting their requests
• Perform all other duties as assigned and as required that are in the best interests of the company

Qualifications

• Experience and passion for working in geriatric settings, such as nursing homes or senior centers
• Excellent communication, organizational and leadership skills
• Physically able to perform duties such as standing for long periods, squatting, bending and pushing activity carts
• Proficient in the use of various computer programs
• In addition to these traits, the candidate must meet one of the following criteria:
  • Is a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist who is eligible for certification as a therapeutic recreation specialist by a recognized accrediting body on or after August 1, 1989; or
  • Has 2 years of experience in a geriatric social or recreational program within the last 5 years, 1 of which was full-time in a patient or resident activities program in a health care setting; or
  • Is a qualified occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant