POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title: Lifestyle Team Leader
Award/Agreement: The Lutheran Aged Care, NSWNMA and HSU NSW Enterprise Agreement (As may be amended)
Location: Residential Care Facilities
Status: Full–time, Part-time or Casual
Reporting to: Facility Manager
Supervises: Lifestyle Staff
Lutheran Aged Care – Overview
Lutheran Aged Care (LAC) Albury is a significant service organisation providing a range of aged care services across a number of facilities and the community designed to meet customer needs. LAC is an independently run, not for Profit Company primarily funded by the Commonwealth. The organisation has a business structure incorporating the Lutheran Church of Australia (NSW district), the Board of Governance and Chief Executive Officer. Reporting to this structure is Administration & Finance, Hotel Services, Property & Maintenance, Pemberton View and Nicholson Park Retirement Villages, Support Services (including pastoral care and volunteer coordination), Community Care, Dellacourt, Yallaroo and Emily Gardens locations. LAC employs approximately 340 staff (including casuals) comprising nursing, personal care, maintenance, management and administrative staff.
Role Objective
The Lifestyle Team Leader is responsible for the overall day to day coordination of the Lifestyle Program and supervision of Lifestyle Team members. The role facilitates the planning, implementation and evaluation of a person centred Lifestyle Program, which meets the identified individual interests of residents. The role ensures activities are directed towards enhancing residents' quality of life, through preserving their social skills, cultural, linguistic and spiritual contacts and promotion of residents' optimum level of physical activity and independence.
Key Result Areas & Responsibilities
Provide direction and assist the Lifestyle Team in planning, implementing and evaluating the Lifestyle Activity Programs, which are developed to meet the individual needs of residents and include both individual 1:1 and group activities; provide mentoring, coaching and leadership of the Lifestyle Team by promoting a team approach in the delivery of the Lifestyle Program; maintain effective communication between Lifestyle Team members; facilitate and document Lifestyle Team Meetings.
Ensure all residents are encouraged and supported to participate in a wide range of interests and activities of interest to them.
Actively promote the range of activities available and maintain interaction with residents/families to ensure the provision of a comprehensive and multi-faceted therapy program.
Provide and maintain a Sundowner Program and Dementia specific activities to assist with challenging behaviours.
Ensure all residents are assisted to achieve maximum independence, maintain friendships and participate within the internal and external communities of the facility.
Ensure activities are directed at enhancing resident quality of life, through preserving social skills, cultural, linguistic and spiritual contacts and promotion of the optimum level of physical activity and independence.
Ensure Lifestyle programs are appropriate to the individual needs and interests of the residents in consultation with the resident/family/representative, Lifestyle Team and care staff; ensure individual interests, customs, beliefs, cultural and ethnic backgrounds are valued and fostered within the design and delivery of programs.
In conjunction with the Volunteer Coordinator, assist with the recruitment, assigning of responsibilities and supervision of Volunteers.
Foster and develop community liaison to optimise social contacts for residents in response to significant days/events/celebrations which can be shared with the broader community.
Ensure all activities and outings undertaken by staff meet the guidelines as outlined by LAC policies and procedures; provide feedback to Facility Manager to influence the ongoing development of LAC Lifestyle policies and procedures.
Ensure all Lifestyle Program financial and human resources are utilised appropriately.
Assist/coach the Lifestyle Team in accurate and appropriate documentation and in undertaking regular evaluation of the programs offered to ensure resident needs are met.
Ensure the Lifestyle Team assist with Quality Improvement activities and Accreditation processes in accordance with Aged Care Standard 3 – Resident Lifestyle; assist with development of audits/surveys/questionnaires and provide assistance to the Lifestyle Team to act upon feedback in a timely manner, to maintain positive direction.
Develop a professional rapport with residents and their families; provide feedback to the Facility Manager and Unit Managers.
Complete continuing professional development initiatives and mandatory education as defined by LAC.
Assist with performance coaching and Performance Appraisals of the Lifestyle Team.
Compliance & Systems
Ensure recognised systems are utilised by all staff to document resident lifestyle needs in line with LAC Organisational Policies, Clinical Procedures and government requirements.
Actively evaluate and enhance Lifestyle Programs and assist to develop systems to enhance the delivery standards.
In conjunction with the Facility Manager and Unit Manager, monitor and review Lifestyle Program and work practices in line with Aged Care Standards and Aged Care Code of Conduct.
Participate in the development, implementation and evaluation of contemporary practice in response to issues identified within the unit/facility.
Actively participate in and implement continuous improvement and quality processes.
Effectively utilise management systems to accurately record and research data.
Ensure the upkeep/maintenance of the environment through regular inspection and reporting systems as part of Work Health and Safety responsibilities.
Ensure equipment is in good working order, utilising maintenance systems to promptly report any defects or need for replacement.
Human Resources
In conjunction with the Unit Manager and Facility Manager, manage the work practices of Lifestyle Team and other staff (as appropriate) within the unit/facility.
Assist the Facility Manager and Unit Manager with ongoing assessment of staff performance and provide regular feedback in line with LAC's performance appraisal process, related policies and the performance expectations of staff.
In conjunction with Unit Managers, ensure relevant staff comply with appropriate Work Health and Safety practices, care standards and LAC policies and procedures.
Knowledge
Maintain a thorough knowledge of contemporary issues relating to the biopsychosocial needs of frail aged people.
Maintain an understanding of the Aged Care Act 1997 (as amended), Health Services Act (NSW), Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW, Guardianship Act (NSW) and the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI).
Maintain thorough knowledge of LAC's policies and work practices including those related to employment conditions.
Work Health & Safety
Take reasonable care for his / her own WHS ensuring that actions or omissions do not adversely affect the WHS of others in the workplace.
Monitor and ensure the WHS of Lifestyle Staff, residents', visitors, volunteers and work experience participants as appropriate.
Understand the operations and general hazards / risks in the workplace and monitor performance regarding incidents, hazards and risks.
Participate in mechanisms for consultation with staff regarding WHS issues.
Lead by example and provide visible commitment to WHS and procedures.
Contribute to the ongoing development of WHS procedures.
Monitor Lifestyle Staff compliance with relevant WHS policies, procedures and practices.
Ensure that Lifestyle Staff work within their capacity, experience and training.
Assist with the conducting of/participation in incident investigations, recording findings and making recommendations for improvement, as appropriate.
Share control of the work environment and take immediate action to rectify any unsafe situations or acts/practices.
Consult, cooperate and coordinate activities with external agency staff or representatives of another organisation as appropriate.
Immediately advise the Facility Manager and Human Resources Manager of staff injuries, serious incidents and other incidents (including those involving unsafe practice).
Consult with residents and/or families/representatives as appropriate regarding the WHS implications of housekeeping and any equipment, appliances or personal items brought into the facility.
Support injured staff working under return-to-work programs.
Maintain equipment safety through recognised maintenance systems.
Team
As Lifestyle Team Leader participate in department initiatives and projects as directed.
Contribute to the effective operation of the Lifestyle Team by leading and contributing at staff and team meetings.
Provide assistance to Lifestyle Staff as identified/required/instructed.
In consultation with staff, deliver a lifestyle program supported by a cost effective Lifestyle Staff Roster which meets the identified and individualised needs of all residents'.
All other duties as reasonably requested and relevant to Lifestyle Team Leader position.
Personal Qualities
Honesty, initiative, reliability and discretion
Leadership, cooperation and team participation
Communication and interpersonal skills
Empathy and consideration for older persons
Willingness to develop professionally
Self-motivation and organisation
Flexibility and responsiveness
Selection Criteria
Essential
Minimum qualification of Certificate IV in Leisure and Health, or equivalent.
Demonstrated experience in the provision of Lifestyle Programs in a residential aged care environment with proven ability in staff management and care planning.
Demonstrated ability to plan, implement and evaluate the program of Lifestyle Activities designed to meet the individual needs of residents.
An understanding and commitment to Quality Improvement.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience in meeting Aged Care Standards and accreditation process(s).
Ability to lead and motivate staff to provide innovative, creative and individualised activities for residents', achieve and maintain contemporary best practice.
Demonstrated leadership skills and team building experience.
Highly developed written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
Ability to set realistic goals and objectives and achieve them within set timelines.
Proficient computer skills with experience in using electronic documentation systems.
Desirable
Tertiary/Post Graduate qualification in Leisure & Lifestyle/Aged Care
Level 2 First Aid
Food Safety Handling Level 1
Certified training in the use of complimentary therapies
Relationships
This role has specific responsibility to develop strong internal and external relationships to facilitate the effective management of the role. Key relationships include:
Internal Liaisons: Management Team, Facility Manager, Unit Managers, Lifestyle Staff, Lutheran Aged Care Staff, Care Recipients (Residents)
External Liaisons: Residents' Relatives / Representatives, External Health and Service Providers, Community Organisations, Government Organisations inclusive of Aged Care Regulatory Departments and/or their representatives as appropriate and delegated, Board Members, Diversional Therapy Associations, Regional Diversional Therapy Networks.