Connections Coordinator

Connections Coordinator

A co-worker’s job title is only the beginning of who he/she is to our residents because here, each co-worker serves a position and a purpose. We care for our residents the way we all would want to be treated: with dignity, compassion and respect. To honor the care and commitment that they offer to our residents every day, we work hard to provide a rich benefit package, an environment which encourages career development and competitive compensation. 

Plans, implements and oversees the Connections Community Life Program in accordance with company guidelines. Other relevant duties as may be required or assigned by management.

Routine Functions of the Position:

• Plans, implements and oversees the daily activities that ensure a balanced, meaningful, ongoing daily program of opportunities for memory support residents including:
  • Making sure daily activity calendar is posted and two week calendar is available.
  • Lead activities.
  • Coordinate trips and outings including dining out, country rides, shopping trips, and special events.
  • Manage the Dakim computer brain fitness program.
  • Coordinate with Connections Club to ensure successful bridging opportunities.
  • Coordinate intergenerational programming for the Connections Neighborhood.
  • Coordinate with Fitness Coordinator to ensure a meaningful and appropriate fitness program in the Connections Neighborhood.
  • Coordinate volunteers for the Connections Neighborhood; both residents and outside volunteers.
  • Coordinate with campus Community Life team.
  • Maintain and create new Life Skill stations as needed to ensure residents access to quality activity opportunities.
  • Drive company bus or van as needed and coordinate the on-line driver safety program for Connections Neighborhood Community Life associates.
  • Coordinate the care for Connections Neighborhood pets.
• Supervises all Connections Neighborhood Community Life co-workers to ensure their success in support of resident well-being. Supervision includes interviewing, hiring, orienting, coaching, counseling, and evaluating job performance.
• Collaborates with Executive Director, manager, and/or DOW to ensure Community Life input into care planning
• Prepares and sends a monthly newsletter and/or calendar of events to families.
• In conjunction with Executive Director and nursing staff keeps families informed of resident’s daily life.
• In conjunction with Connections ED or Manager, leads a monthly caregiver support group and maintains Memory Support Resource Library.
• Helps to plan special events including quarterly family socials.
• Develops and maintains contact with entertainers and or vendors who can provide special programs.
• Coordinates the purchasing of supplies and materials for the Connections Neighborhood and follows the guidelines of credit card usage while maintaining the Connections Neighborhood Community Life budget. 
• Work with other departments such as dining services, chaplains, and Community Life Coordinators to problem solve and to continually enhance the Connections Program.
• Works at least one evening shift a month to evaluate the Community Life program and staff capabilities and needs.
• Addresses staff development needs by presenting and participating in education programs including training of new co-workers and ongoing education.
• Practices Validation techniques and encourages co-workers to learn and practice Validation.
• Informs Executive Director and nursing staff of any unusual events, suspicion of abuse, or resident condition changes immediately.
• Recognizes and reports fire/safety hazards in building. Reports maintenance needs promptly. Takes all appropriate safety precautions to minimize risk of injury to resident, self and other co-workers. Demonstrates awareness and diligence in identifying and reporting elopement risks.
• Upholds residents’ rights. Ensures that policies, procedures, and state regulations are met.

Critical success factors:

Either possesses or is willing and able to learn the following:

• Become a Validation Associate within six months of hire and continue with formal Validation training up to and including group leader.
• Communication skills that include empathetic listening skills. This includes the ability to clearly communicate goal-oriented intentions and directions to co-workers.
• Displays an ability to adapt and be flexible enough to adjust and make changes in the program or approaches to best meet the residents’ needs, especially under emergency situations.
• Exhibits organizational and problem solving skills, including the ability to handle multiple demands/tasks concurrently.
• Demonstrated skill in or willingness to learn about interviewing, selecting, training, supervising, disciplining, coaching, and evaluating co-workers.
• Knowledge of the physiology and psychology of the older person.
• Willingness to protect resident and co-worker confidentiality.

Work environment

In a typical eight hour day co-worker will:

• Stand/walk up to eight hours
• Frequently lift/carry up to 50 pounds and more with assistance to transfer, lift residents as needed.
• Frequently kneel, bend, reach, push, stoop and, stretch.
• Workplace includes the Connections Neighborhood and surrounding grounds, laundry, beauty shop, kitchen areas, plus all areas necessitated by off-site field trips and events.

Minimum qualifications:

• Experience: Prior experience in small group socialization and programming preferred. Experience in managing volunteers and /or staff in an environment with adults.
• Education: Prefer college degree in Recreation Therapy/Human Service and/or 2 years of equivalent work experience in field. Minimum high school diploma or G.E.D.
• Certification/License: Valid driver’s license; must have clean driving record with no major violations over the past five years. Capability to drive/operate 14 passenger van.

• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Employer Contributed Family Health Insurance
• FREE Dental
• Vision Insurance
• Employer Paid Life Insurance
• Limited Medical Plan
• Short Term Major Medical Plan
• Employer Matched 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Birthday as a Holiday
• Tuition Scholarship
• Country Meadows Foundation
• Recruitment Award
• Bereavement Leave
• Jury Duty Pay
• Paid Short Term Disability
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Wellness Coaches
• $2 Meal Plan
• Cash Bonus Programs