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Marissa 15th Mar 2018 Diversional Therapist

Advice needed please!
Hi everyone, I'm a Diversional Therapist (qualified since July 2017) at a small rest home and hospital. I have been asked to write a summary of my role for the other staff to read and I'm stuck. I want to word it so that it sounds positive and all inclusive (like I'm part of the "team") but I do need to outline certain care-giving jobs that I don't do (i.e. toilet a resident when we are at our facility etc.). Has anyone else done this and how do I summarize a role which is so varied and under development? (We are currently in two separate buildings operating under the same organisation and are moving into a new premises in the next couple of years)
Thank you!

Solange 15th Mar 2018 Diversional Therapist

Hi Marissa, explain that your job is to enhance the overall quality of life of residents, make sure they engage with the larger community, rekindle past hobbies, inform, educate, and entertain.

Planning and coordinating the Activity Program is intense and laborious but you are passionate about your career choice, you want to provide residents with the best creative and fun activities.

The biggest challenge in your job is time. There are not enough hours in your shift to do what you would like to: planning activities, meetings, supervising volunteers, seeking suitable trips, fostering new staff. Tell them you would appreciate their help and give some examples:
- welcoming residents’ relatives to the facility
- escorting them to the recreation room
- assisting with toilet trips
- on entering resident rooms ask sincerely to see a photo of the latest grandchild or graduation of a relative.

Working as a team you can make a difference.

Marissa 19th Mar 2018 Diversional Therapist

Thank you Solange, that is spot on!

Solange 20th Mar 2018 Diversional Therapist

Hi Marissa, you are welcome!

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