Activities Assistant - Skilled Nursing Unit - Full Time

Activities Assistant – Skilled Nursing Unit (SNU) - Full Time 

Help Enrich Lives Through Meaningful Activities and Compassionate Care.

Join Guthrie's Skilled Nursing team and make a lasting impact by creating engaging recreational programs that promote independence, social connection, and overall well-being for our residents.

Organization Overview

Guthrie is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit integrated healthcare system serving communities throughout Northern Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York. Our Skilled Nursing Unit is dedicated to providing exceptional resident-centered care through compassion, collaboration, and innovative programming that enhances quality of life.

Role Summary

The Activities Assistant works as part of the interdisciplinary Skilled Nursing team to develop and implement meaningful recreational and therapeutic activities for residents. This role promotes residents' physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being while encouraging participation, independence, and a high quality of life. 

Schedule Details

• Full-Time

• Schedule includes weekdays, weekends, holidays, and up to three evening shifts per week 

• Holiday schedule determined by management 

Key Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation 

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits for eligible employees 

• Retirement savings plan 

• Paid time off 

• Tuition assistance and professional development opportunities 

• Employee wellness resources 

• Collaborative interdisciplinary care environment 

• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference in residents' daily lives 

• Career advancement opportunities within Guthrie 

Recognition / Awards  

• Forbes Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals – 2025 

• Forbes Best Employers for Women – 2024, 2025 

• Newsweek: America's Greatest Workplaces – 2025 

• Becker's Best Places to Work – 2024, 2025 

• America's Best-In-State Employers (Pennsylvania) – 2024, 2025 

Responsibilities 

• Compliance with rules and regulations of all federal, state, and local governments is a requirement of employment. 

• Participates in the development of the plan of treatment. 

• Participates in team and interdisciplinary conferences as needed. 

• Plans constructively with residents and families to restore residents to optimum capacity through recreational activities. 

• Provides, in conjunction with the Activity Director, an organized ongoing program of meaningful activities designed to meet the interests and physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident in accordance with the comprehensive resident assessment. 

• Promotes and maintains each resident's sense of usefulness and self-worth while encouraging residents to utilize their physical and mental capabilities to the fullest extent possible. 

• Implements planned activity programs including group and independent activities for residents at various times throughout the day and evening, seven days per week. 

• Assists in the development of individualized care plans for residents. 

• Assists the Director of Activities with orienting, training, and supervising volunteers. 

• Keeps the Activity Director informed of resident progress, concerns, and departmental needs. 

• Attends required meetings including committee meetings and resident care conferences. 

• Maintains appropriate departmental records and documentation. 

• Assumes additional responsibilities as reasonably related to the position. 

• Maintains knowledge of fire safety and disaster preparedness programs. 

• Attends designated in-service education programs.

Other Duties

• Other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required. 

Experience

• Experience working directly with individuals in a healthcare setting required. 

• Long-term care experience preferred. 

• Experience in service-related fields such as sociology, special education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, or similar disciplines preferred. 

• Knowledge of therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation services, and volunteer services preferred. 

• Act 34 Criminal Background Clearance required. 

Skills

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. 

• Ability to conduct presentations and educational sessions for individuals and groups. 

• Strong organizational and time management skills. 

• Ability to develop creative recreational programming. 

• Demonstrated commitment to resident-centered care. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams. 

• Strong documentation and observational skills. 

• Compassionate, patient-focused approach to care. 

Compensation

Compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and Guthrie's established compensation practices.

Additional Notes

• Provides services for residents 18 years of age and older, with the majority of services provided to elderly residents. 

• Position requires weekend, evening, and holiday participation based on resident programming needs. 

• Frequent exposure to blood, body fluids, communicable diseases, disagreeable sights, sounds, odors, and other healthcare-related hazards. 

• Requires frequent walking, standing, bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling throughout the workday. 

• Must be able to occasionally lift or move objects weighing up to 60 pounds and, when necessary, assist with moving more than 100 pounds using appropriate equipment and safe techniques. 

• Participates in quality improvement initiatives, resident care conferences, departmental meetings, and ongoing education. 

• Other duties may be assigned based on departmental and resident needs.

Joining the Guthrie team allows you to become a part of a tradition of excellence in health care. In all areas and at all levels of Guthrie, you’ll find staff members who have committed themselves to serving the community.

The Guthrie Clinic is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit, integrated, practicing physician-led organization in the Twin Tiers of New York and Pennsylvania. Our multi-specialty group practice of more than 500 physicians and 302 advanced practice providers offers 47 specialties through a regional office network providing primary and specialty care in 22 communities. Guthrie Medical Education Programs include General Surgery, Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Anesthesiology and Orthopedic Surgery Residency, as well as Cardiovascular, Gastroenterology and Pulmonary Critical Care Fellowship programs. Guthrie is also a clinical campus for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.