Activities Coordinator

As an Activities Coordinator at Immanuel Pathways, your primary responsibilities will include designing and implementing recreational therapy programs aimed at enhancing the functional abilities of participants. You'll work under the guidance of a Certified Recreational Therapist and focus on addressing the diverse needs of our clients, including their physical, cognitive, social, and emotional well-being. This role plays a crucial part in enriching participants' lives and facilitating their engagement in meaningful activities.

To apply for the Activities Coordinator role at Immanuel Pathways, you'll need a High School Diploma or GED and a valid Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.) certificate, which can be obtained within six months of hire. Additionally, a minimum of two years of experience in a social or recreational program for the elderly is required, along with one year of full-time experience in a patient activities program within a healthcare setting.

Activities Coordinators at Immanuel Pathways are typically scheduled to work Monday through Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. This schedule is designed to promote a healthy work-life balance, allowing you to engage fully in your responsibilities while enjoying your personal time.

At Immanuel Pathways, you can look forward to an attractive benefits package, including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), employer-paid life insurance, 401K with an employer match, and paid time off that accrues from day one. Additionally, you'll have access to wellness programs, volunteer time off, and opportunities for personal and professional development, including an education assistance program.

Essential skills for an Activities Coordinator at Immanuel Pathways include strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with participants, creativity in designing activities tailored to their needs, and the ability to work collaboratively within a healthcare team. Experience in recreational or social programming and a genuine interest in enhancing the lives of the elderly population are also vital.

In answering this question, it's important to showcase your adaptability and creativity. You might suggest activities that allow for engagement without physical strain, such as seated yoga, arts and crafts projects, or music therapy. Emphasize your ability to customize activities based on individual participants' interests and capabilities.

Prepare to discuss a specific instance where you implemented an activity that had a significant positive impact on participants. Highlight your planning process, the activity itself, and the outcomes, focusing on improvements in social engagement or physical abilities, and how you received feedback from participants or colleagues.

Show your understanding of individual differences in engagement by discussing the strategies you would employ. This could include one-on-one encouragement, inviting them to observe initially before participating, or offering activities tailored to their interests. Emphasize your patience and empathy in supporting participants.

Discuss specific metrics you would use to evaluate the success of an activity, such as participant feedback, levels of engagement, or observable improvements in participants' well-being. Relay your experience in collecting this data and how it informs future programming.

Reflect on your previous roles where you interacted with diverse elderly populations. Share examples that highlight your ability to connect with participants from various backgrounds and how you adapted your activities to meet their unique needs and preferences.

Talk about your approach to conflict resolution, such as remaining calm, empathetically listening to the participant's concerns, and devising a solution or alternative activity that could cater to their emotional state. Highlight the importance of creating a supportive environment.

Express your understanding of the connection between physical activity and mental health. Stress that physical activity can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, improve mood, and increase overall life satisfaction among elderly participants. Provide examples or studies that support your perspective.

Demonstrate your commitment to professional development by mentioning any workshops, literature, or online courses you follow related to recreational therapy. Discuss how you apply this knowledge to continually enhance your activities and remain effective in your role.

Illustrate the importance of collaboration in your position by discussing your experience working alongside nurses, social workers, and therapists. Highlight examples where teamwork led to enhanced programming or improved participant outcomes.

Importance of feedback in tailoring activities can be highlighted. Discuss how you solicit input from participants and staff, analyze their responses, and adjust future programming based on this feedback, ensuring that activities meet the evolving needs of the community.