Assistant?

[Guest Guest_elby]

Having recently obtained my first job in activities I am a little bit confused about my title and would like some input from others to compare. My official title is "assistant activities director" in an ALF, however I feel that I do much more than an "assistant" would do. I create my own calendar, design and run all of my own programs and outings unassisted and unsupervised, create and update my own care plans, monitor daily attendance and activities for all residents, and more. The only thing I don't do is take care of the budget or attend administrative meetings. My supervisor works in the CBRF and never oversees or attends activities in the ALF unless her residents are present. I don't mind all that I do, I just feel that this title is a way to pay me less for doing more. Can anybody help me figure out if I'm being taken advantage of?

Thanks!

[RebeKen 0]

If I were you, and in many respects I am, based on the job description you just gave, I would feel uneasy with being called the Assistant. It appears that the only difference between you and I is that I do attend admin meetings and deal with the budget. My problem is that I am the only one in the Activity Department, other than the "teamwork" that's provided on an occassional basis, from other management. It would be my guess that if you were to approach a superior about the issue, the answer you would get would sound something like "this is to be expected in the AL environment".(as opposed to LTC). ?????? That's when you run into the problem of deciding not to put up with it for principle purposes, or taking it, for the residents sake. You didn't talk about your present compensation or the size of your facility. I'm in the position of providing activities for 70 residents at the rate of $12.00 per hour, in Maryland.

[elby 0]

I am in an 80 resident facility in a midwestern city for $ 10 an hour, and barely surviving at that rate. I really appreciate your help!

[Guest Guest]

Elby,

"Barely surviving" is different from one person to the next. Does that mean that you've decided that you're good where you are at $10/hour, or not? Or, have you decided that they are gettin' way more than their money's worth from you? Of course, this is something to be thought of, without consideration for the residents and your fellings toward them. Just curious.

[Diana 0]

HI Elby,

I was in a 101 bed facility and was only making $9 an hour.

 

In comparison to what I am doing now, I am in a 131 bed facility, with extremely high turn over rate each week (about 20 - 25 ins and outs total) due to our Rehab department and Medicare, along with lots of managed care patients who are only alotted 20 days or less) with no Activity Assistant. YOU are doing fine!

 

I know it may seem unfair and that we ALL deserve to be paid the same as the highest paid floor nurse (I could argue that till I am blue in the face - won't get me that type of raise). I have been at this facility 5 years, with the company 6 and I still have not been deemed worthy of an assistant!

 

Take each day as it comes and utilize your volunteers wisely and you'll be fine!

 

Then, when you are ready, take your experience and look for a larger facility with a bigger chance of getting paid more.

 

Good luck!

[RebeKen 0]

Diana,

It would be my guess that you're my supervisor, even though all us Directors were deemed by corporate, as equal. Based on your statement of "take each day as it comes and utilize your volunteers, and you'll be fine." ...makes me think about Cat.

ELBY, don't listen to her!

[klbradt 0]

Hi I work in a 178 bed facility as an activity assistant and make 13.00 per hour in Indiana, I am also a certified activity director.

[Guest Guest_wonytineres]

A quick thought... I am the Activity Director/Manager for a large retirement community- SNF/CBRF/indep. living and Alzheimers Unit. I too have an assistant activity director on my staff. I know there are times when she feels her title is unfair due to the work she does. She also does the activity calendar, MDS/progress notes and runs some groups in our 100 bed SNF. I am sure she feels she should have the title Activity Director vs. Assistant Activity Director. My response is that 1) She has only been out of college for 2 years and lacks the management experience needed to oversee a department our size and 2) When push come to shove (which it often does) I am the one who takes the heat for things that go wrong. If an individual is not content with the position they currently hold then only they can make a change. There is a reason for the varied positions, no organization out there keeps staff on board if there is not a real reason for their position. If you are in an Assistant Director role use this time to learn from your more experienced Director and prove yourself to be the best assistant ever by not complaining to others about your role/title, following up and completing the tasks assigned to you in a timely fashion and maybe someday you will find yourself in the coveted title of Director. Trust me... it's not all it's cracked up to be.