Qualities of a good assistant

[trixiedg 0]

I may be needing to look for a new assistant soon. The assistant I have now was already hired when I took the AD position, so I have no experience in knowing what to look for. My current assistant has decided she wants to go back to the floor as a CNA. I wear several hats at my facility, so my assistant has to be able to do most of the activities on her own. I plan them and make sure the supplies are ready to go. Up until this month we had been doing two large group programs a day with a couple of snack times each day. We are a 60 bed facility and we have around 12 - 15 residents on the in room program on average. This month I added a small group that is held twice a week. I also added a 4:00 activity twice a week that I do. I added the 4:00 activity so I could have time with the residents since I usually don't get to attend many of the other programs. Is it too much to ask for an assistant to do all of this?

[Miguel 4]

Hi Trixie,

You want an assistant that you can train or someone who knows what they are doing. I suggest you require that all candidates spend at least a few hours with you in an activity program so that you can get a feel for how they are around residents.

 

It is always wise to hour someone who is stronger where you are weaker so the two of you can work together to get things done.

 

have a set job description so that they can fully understand their job duties. I suggest a really good Policy and procedures book to purchase is that of Beth Hall and Michele Nolta.. Its Awesome!

 

 

-Miguel

[eightdozenroses 0]

I may be needing to look for a new assistant soon. The assistant I have now was already hired when I took the AD position, so I have no experience in knowing what to look for. My current assistant has decided she wants to go back to the floor as a CNA. I wear several hats at my facility, so my assistant has to be able to do most of the activities on her own. I plan them and make sure the supplies are ready to go. Up until this month we had been doing two large group programs a day with a couple of snack times each day. We are a 60 bed facility and we have around 12 - 15 residents on the in room program on average. This month I added a small group that is held twice a week. I also added a 4:00 activity twice a week that I do. I added the 4:00 activity so I could have time with the residents since I usually don't get to attend many of the other programs. Is it too much to ask for an assistant to do all of this?

 

 

One wouldn't think so, but then every assistant brings different strengths and weaknesses to the position. Let's face it; some persons are slackers no matter in which field they work. I'm not saying your assistant is a slacker; but when I was a retail store manager, my assistant WAS not only a slacker, but pretty dumb and very mean. I inherited her. Every manager before me tried to get her fired - guess what? I'm gone and she's still there, messing things up and offending customers left and right. So I am not unfamiliar with the pain and frustration of having an assistant who can not or will not "assist", even though the scenario was different.

 

I would start by googling "activity assistant job description" or "activity assistant jobs" - this should bring you to job boards such as Monster. Some of the job descriptions are very generic, but some are extremely detailed.

 

I'm only a brand new assistant myself, but I have a lifetime of putting my heart into everything I do. Don't rule out over 50s as possible assistants.

 

Finally, if you do hire a really good assistant, I would implore you to let him or her help plan some of the activities. Anyone with drive, passion and a brain WILL have ideas and WILL want to be more involved.

 

Good luck to you.