Activity Aid - Day Program

Position Summary

The Activity Aide supports HIT, Inc. Day Services by preparing materials and assisting qualified Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) with supervised recreational, social, and group activities. The position helps create a welcoming, person-centered environment that respects each individual’s dignity, independence, informed choices, rights, and meaningful participation. Activity Aides supplement qualified DSPs; they do not provide independent direct care, implement individual service plans, or assume responsibility for participant supervision or safety.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Duties are limited to non-hazardous tasks appropriate to employees aged 16 and older. Assignments must remain within the approved Activity Aide scope and applicable law.

• Prepare and organize supplies for arts and crafts, games, music, seasonal events, and other approved activities.
• Assist qualified DSPs with supervised group activities by distributing materials, explaining simple activity instructions as directed, and encouraging voluntary participation.
• Support respectful conversation, social interaction, and inclusive participation without providing individualized instruction or direct-service interventions.
• Perform light, routine housekeeping of activity materials and spaces using approved nonhazardous supplies; identify and report hazards rather than undertaking hazardous cleanup.
• Promptly communicate observations, participant requests, incidents, or concerns to the assigned DSP or manager; do not independently assess or document services.

Supervision and Scope of Responsibility

• Work under the Day Program Manager and the immediate direction of an assigned qualified DSP; a qualified staff member must remain responsible for all participant care and supervision.
• Never be assigned sole responsibility for any person receiving services, including during breaks, staffing shortages, bathroom coverage, activities, or emergencies.

Prohibited Duties

The following duties are prohibited for all Activity Aides regardless of age. The separate Prohibited Duties and Responsibilities Acknowledgment provides additional detail.

• Driving any vehicle for work or transporting people as responsible staff.
• Personal cares, including toileting, bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding assistance, transfers, repositioning, and mobility assistance.
• Operating or assisting with mechanical lifts, hoists, adaptive transfer equipment, or participant restraints.
• Preparing, handling, administering, or documenting medications.
• Implementing Overall Service Plans (OSPs), behavior-support plans, physical interventions, or individualized habilitation instruction.
• Completing Therap service notes, goal tracking, behavioral assessments, or Medicaid billing/service verification.
• Handling sharps, bodily fluids, contaminated materials, hazardous chemicals, or unsafe cleanup as assigned duties.
• Operating prohibited or hazardous machinery or power-driven equipment restricted for minors.
• Any other task prohibited for employees under 18 or outside the approved Activity Aide scope.

Professional Responsibilities

• Follow HIT policies, ethical standards, lawful supervisory directions, and required training.
• Maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries with participants, families, coworkers, and visitors.
• Promptly report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, rights violations, safety hazards, and emergencies as required by law and HIT policy.
• Communicate promptly, accurately, and respectfully; maintain reliable attendance and punctuality, subject to applicable leave and accommodation requirements.
• Follow emergency procedures within training and immediately summon qualified staff or emergency services as directed.

Qualifications

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate respectfully with individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and coworkers.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions, recognize hazards, and seek assistance promptly.
• Organizational skills, creativity, patience, teamwork, and attention to confidentiality.
• Basic computer skills for approved nonclinical administrative tasks.

Education, Experience, and Other Requirements

• Must be at least 16 years old, subject to applicable child labor, school attendance, and DD program requirements; high school diploma is not required.
• Experience with recreational activities, volunteering, or supporting people with disabilities is helpful but not required.
• Complete applicable background checks, orientation, mandatory reporting, confidentiality, safety, and other required training before assigned duties.
• No driver’s license, medication certification, or personal-care competency is required because those tasks are not part of this role.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

With or without reasonable accommodation, the employee performs routine activity-related tasks that may involve sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and handling lightweight materials. Work may occur indoors or outdoors in supervised settings with variable noise. Individuals may display challenging behaviors; the Activity Aide must obtain qualified assistance rather than engage in physical intervention. No participant lifting, transfers, hazardous equipment operation, or assigned exposure to biohazards is permitted. HIT will engage in the interactive accommodation process as required by law.