EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE

The Experience Associate at our Riverside Senior Life Communities is responsible for enhancing the overall experience of residents, visitors, and staff by providing exceptional customer service and support. This role involves greeting visitors, assisting residents with various needs, coordinating activities, and ensuring that all interactions reflect the values and mission of Riverside Senior Life. The Experience Associate may also be required to operate a motor vehicle to transport residents or run errands as needed. Additionally, the Experience Associate plays a key role in planning and executing resident programs, accompanying residents to outside functions, and creating personalized experiences that cater to their individual needs and preferences. This is an hourly, non-exempt position that requires a friendly, professional, and service-oriented individual. Demonstrates flexibility with assignments within professional scope/duties/licensure.

Essential Duties

• Resident Assistance: Provide support to residents by assisting with daily activities, responding to their requests, and ensuring their comfort and satisfaction. Assist new residents in adjusting and orienting themselves to the facility.
• Program Development: Actively research materials to contribute new ideas for programs and events. Assist with planning, setting up, and decorating for various programs, events, and facility functions.
• Personalized Experiences: Plan and facilitate personalized experiences for the residents, including one-on-one interactions and specialized programs that cater to individual interests and abilities.
• Resident Accompaniment: Accompany residents to outside functions and drive them to and from events, personal appointments, and other outings as needed.
• Resident Assessment: Evaluate resident preferences and interests within 72 hours of their arrival, and continuously assess resident needs to adapt programs based on their abilities.
• Volunteer Coordination: Assist with training and supervising volunteers, ensuring they are well-equipped to contribute to resident experiences.
• Documentation: Complete documentation of resident participation and progress, including assessments, care plans, and MDS (Minimum Data Set) records.
• Technology Use: Encourage and assist residents with using technology, including In2L systems, to enhance their experience during their stay.
• Collaboration: Work with all departments in daily programming and creating meaningful experiences for residents.
• Monthly Planning: Assist in planning the monthly activity calendar and organizing out trips, ensuring a diverse and engaging range of activities.
• Facility Decoration: Decorate the facility seasonally and in conjunction with facility events to create a welcoming and festive environment.
• All Other Duties: Perform all other duties as assigned to support the overall mission of Riverside Senior Living Communities.

Non-essential Duties

• Administrative Support: Provide occasional administrative support, such as copying and distributing literature regarding scheduled events, answering phones, managing schedules, and assisting with clerical tasks.
• Facility Support: Assist with light housekeeping tasks, such as tidying common areas or preparing spaces for activities.
• Community Engagement: Participate in community outreach efforts to promote Riverside Senior Communities. 

Required Experience

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact positively with residents, families, visitors, and staff.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and respond to changing priorities.
• Empathy and patience when working with elderly or disabled individuals.
• Basic computer skills, including familiarity with scheduling and record-keeping software.
• Creativity in developing and implementing engaging activities for residents.

Preferred Experience

• Prior experience in a customer service or resident care role is preferred, particularly in a healthcare or senior living setting.

Required Licensure/Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
• A valid drivers license with a clean driving record is required. 
• The ability to operate a motor vehicle safely and in accordance with all traffic laws is essential.

Employee Health Requirements

Exposure to:

• Chemicals: Exposure to mild craft supplies, such as glue, paint, and paint thinner, may occur. Employees must adhere to safety protocols as outlined in the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) manual and use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when necessary.
• Video Display Terminals: Average exposure due to regular computer use for scheduling and documentation tasks.
• Blood and Body Fluids: Employees may work closely with residents, including tasks that involve transferring and assisting residents, which could lead to minimal exposure to blood and body fluids. Proper sanitation and infection control procedures must be followed, and PPE will be provided as needed.
• TB or Airborne Pathogens: Minimal exposure, with very little potential. Interaction with residents, families, and visitors requires adherence to infection control measures.

Sensory Requirements:

• Speech: Necessary for effective communication with residents, families, visitors, and staff. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as required under the ADA.
• Vision: Required for observing potential hazards, performing detailed tasks such as cutting and needlework, and working with small objects. Vision aids, such as glasses, are permitted.
• Smell: Essential for detecting smoke, fumes, and other potential hazards in the environment.
• Hearing: Necessary for listening to residents and staff, responding to alarms, and being aware of safety concerns such as someone falling or needing help. Hearing aids are permitted.
• Touch: Important for providing care and comfort to residents, as well as for performing tasks that require dexterity.

Activity/Lifting Requirements

Percentage of time during the normal workday the employee is required to:

• Sit: 10%
• Twist: 5%
• Stand: 50%
• Crawl: 0%
• Walk: 20%
• Kneel: 2.5%
• Lift: 10%
• Drive: 0%
• Squat: 2.5%
• Climb: 5%
• Bend: 5%
• Reach above shoulders: 5%

Lifting Requirements:

• Up to 10 lbs: Continuously
• Up to 20 lbs: Frequently
• Up to 35 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 60 lbs: Occasionally
• Up to 75 lbs: Not Required
• Up to 100 lbs: Not Required
• Over 100 lbs: Not Required

Lifting and Carrying Requirements: Carrying items such as chairs (waist-high), boxes (waist-high), and tables (thigh-high to waist-high). Lifting may also involve residents, assisting them from sitting to standing positions. Items may need to be lifted and carried over distances or heights ranging from 2 to 6 feet.

Maximum consecutive time (minutes) during the normal workday for each activity:

• Sit: 60
• Twist: 30
• Stand: 180
• Crawl: 0
• Walk: 90
• Kneel: 10
• Lift: 45
• Drive: 0
• Squat: 20
• Climb: 20
• Bend: 20
• Reach above shoulders: 30

Repetitive Use of Hands:

• Simple grasp (1 to 5 lbs): Often
• Pushing & Pulling (1 to 35 lbs): Often
• Fine Manipulation: Required for assisting residents, moving tables, wheelchairs, and performing fine arts and craft work.

Repetitive Use of Foot or Feet in Operating Machine Control: None

Environmental Factors & Special Hazards

Environmental Factors:

• Inside hours: 8
• Outside hours: 0
• Temperature: Normal Range
• Lighting: Average
• Noise levels: Average
• Humidity: Normal Range
• Atmosphere: Potential exposure to mild chemical odors from craft supplies.

Special Hazards:

• Chemical Exposure: Employees may be exposed to mild chemicals used in craft supplies (e.g., glue, paint, paint thinner). PPE will be provided as necessary to minimize exposure.
• Protective Clothing Required: Typically not required for daily tasks, but PPE may be provided for specific tasks involving potential exposure to hazardous chemicals or bodily fluids.