Exploration and Walking Guide

Exploration and Walking Guide

Responsible to                                                    Position Classifications                       

Activities Manager                                                      Hourly/Non-Exempt

Directly Supervises and Evaluates

None

Is Back Up To:                 N/A

Is Backed Up By:           N/A    

WOODLAND POND CONFORMANCE STATEMENT

In the performance of their respective duties and responsibilities, all employees are expected to conform to the following:

• Performing quality work with or without direct supervision
• Interacting professionally with other employees, residents, guests, and all others
• Working effectively and in accordance with the Woodland Pond Communication Fundamentals
• Completing tasks independently while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with other employees and organizations
• Complying with all federal, state and local standards, guidelines and regulations as well as Woodland Pond policy and procedure at all times

Position Summary      
The Exploration and Walking Guide provides compassionate supervision and guidance to a group of senior citizens from the Woodland Pond Health Center, primarily those with cognitive impairment that cannot be unsupervised, during organized walking activities and time in the WP wander-garden daily. The primary responsibility is to ensure the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of all participants. This includes managing logistics, fostering a positive group environment, and adapting to the needs of seniors with varying mobility and physical capabilities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES   (*CF indicates Critical Function)

• Safety and Supervision:
  • Maintains a register of all participants and tracks attendance for each walk (*CF)
  • Monitors the group's pace, ensuring no participant is left behind, and remains vigilant for signs of fatigue, discomfort, or potential accidents (*CF)
  • Ensures all safety guidelines are followed, including instructions for road crossings and navigating challenging terrain
  • Requires use of a hand radio to be signed out at Reception for any activities off the health center units

• Participant Support and Companionship:
  • Provides emotional support and companionship to seniors, offering a listening ear and engaging in friendly conversation (*CF)
  • Assists seniors with mobility aids (canes, walkers, wheelchairs) as needed and provides a helping hand on uneven surfaces
  • Fosters a friendly, inclusive, and positive environment that encourages social interaction among group members
  • Assists with any specific needs of individual participants, such as providing water, arranging rest breaks, pushing manual wheelchairs, or helping with meals on longer outings (*CF)
• Logistics and Administration:
  • Ensures each participant has been cleared to participate by WP rehab department representative / nursing / social services (*CF)
  • Arrives at the designated meeting point at least 15 minutes before the scheduled start time
  • Reports to nursing to review walk destination and eligible resident-participants
  • Provides a brief orientation to the group before each walk, discussing the route, safety precautions, and break schedules
  • Has familiarity with each participant's essential medical information and emergency contacts, carries this information on every offsite outing (*CF)
• Emergency Response:
  • Administers basic first aid and responds calmly and effectively to any minor incidents
  • Contacts emergency services and/or appropriate authorities in the event of a serious incident (*CF)
  • Follows established emergency protocols and reporting procedures (*CF)
  • All other duties as assigned

General Skills and Abilities

• • Patient, empathetic, and compassionate with a genuine passion for working with the elderly
  • Reliable, dependable, adaptable and responsible
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport with seniors, particularly those with a dementia diagnosis
  • Ability to exercise good judgment and remain calm in stressful situations
  • Sufficient physical stamina to walk at varying paces and distances, and assist participants with mobility as necessary

 Qualifications

1. High school diploma, or HSE
2. Proven experience working with senior citizens, particularly those with a dementia diagnosis, in a caregiving, recreational, or volunteer capacity
3. Current CPR and Basic First Aid certification, preferred 
4. Reliable transportation