Activity Director

CHONC; Saratoga (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

CHONC Subacute Pediatric Hospital in Saratoga is seeking an Activity Director to oversee pediatric recreational therapy services. You will assess patient needs, deliver targeted group and 1:1 sessions, and supervise staff and volunteers while coordinating with the IDT and Zarcone School to support personalized therapeutic goals.

You will manage documentation, program planning, staff training, and family engagement to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care in a busy subacute setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy (or related field) and CTRS certification required.
• Experience with pediatric populations and medically fragile children preferred.
• Ability to document assessments, progress notes, and care plans in a timely manner.
• Strong leadership, organization, and scheduling abilities for multi-patient programs.
• Proven collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and families.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and deliver pediatric therapeutic recreation services at CHONC Subacute Hospital.
• Assess patient needs, initiate interventions, and document outcomes with measurable goals.
• Lead group and 1:1 sessions to support developmental and motor skills.
• Supervise Activity Assistants and manage the volunteer program.
• Coordinate with IDT and Zarcone School; maintain department administration.

Skills

Leadership

Documentation

Therapeutic programming

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy (or related field)

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

# Activity DirectorHot JobCRC2 - SARATOGA, CA 95070## OverviewSalary Range$28.00 - $35.00 Hourly## Description**A. Job Summary:**The Recreational Therapist / Activities Director oversees and delivers pediatric therapeutic recreation services for medically fragile children at CHONC Subacute Hospital. The purpose of this role is to assess individual patient needs and developmental levels, delivering targeted group programming, 1:1 support, and joint therapy sessions to support personalized therapeutic goals. Additionally, this position leads the Activities Department by supervising Activity Assistants, managing the volunteer program, coordinating with the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) and Zarcone School, and maintaining department administration to ensure high-quality, patient-centered care.**B. Core Responsibilities & Tasks:**I. Patient Care & Therapeutic ProgrammingThis section focuses on the direct clinical responsibilities of the role, from assessment to intervention and evaluation.1. Organize daily activities at a CHONC Subacute Pediatric Hospital2. Assess patient, treatment plan, initiate intervention, document engagement, and evaluate activities with clear therapeutic goals and outcomes3. Facilitate appropriate individualized sessions for patients to strengthen their developmental abilities, fine motor, gross motor and cognitive skills.4. Track patient activity engagement and identifying any barriers leading to decreased activity participation5. Facilitate and advocate for treatment planning that will support improved quality of life for each patient within the hospital setting6. Provides feedback or input of child’s responses to activity, observations about their physical and emotional behavior to both the responsible party during care conferences and during Interdisciplinary treatment team meetings.II. Program Management & AdministrationThis section covers the administrative and operational aspects of the job, including documentation, resource management, and facility maintenance.1. Manage activity documentations such as assessments, quarterlies, progress notes, care plans, care conference notes, and IDT notes.2. Order and maintain activity department equipment and supplies to provide a wide range of unique and engaging interventions.3. Oversee and maintain an organized and sterilize Dayroom, shed, and office. 1. Sterilize and clean Rehab room after each group or one-on-one session4. Coordinate the daily activities to ensure consistent and quality programmingIII. Staff & Volunteer SupervisionThis section highlights the leadership and management responsibilities, including training and collaborating with other staff and external partners.1. Manage and oversee Activity Assistants who assist with leading and conducting diversified recreation activities such as arts and crafts, organized games, and pet therapy. 1. Train Activity Assistants to provide patient-centered care including, but not limited to; using patient’s interests to motivate and engage patient and provide hand-over-hand support when necessary.2. Establish and sustain working relationships with staff members and a variety of internal and external working groups and individuals, including community partners3. Oversee and manage the volunteer program at the Saratoga Subacute CHONC facility. This includes recruiting new volunteers, collecting and documenting required prerequisites such as mandated reporter training, vaccine records, and background checks. You’ll also be responsible for overseeing volunteer orientation, and creating and managing schedules of volunteersIIII. Program ManagementThis category includes tasks related to the logistics, planning, and administration of the therapeutic recreation program. It focuses on the behind-the-scenes work that ensures everything runs smoothly.1. Hiring Training and Staff Management 1. Hire, manage and train Activity Assistants and coordinate their schedules 2. Manage volunteers and their schedules2. Program and Event Planning 1. Plan daily and monthly activity calendars and special events 2. Co-plan with the social committee for company-wide events 3. Increase staff morale by decorating for holidays and planning festive events 4. Coordinate with community partners and establish new community partner relationships 5. Receive and organize donationsV. Patient and Family CareThis category focuses on the direct and indirect work you do with patients and their families. It emphasizes patient-centered care, therapeutic interventions, and communication.1. Direct Patient Care and Intervention 1. Facilitate daily group and individualized programing 2. Provide developmentally appropriate play to individual children 3. Take children outside for increased quality of life and motor skill development/activities, weather permitting. 4. Manage patient’s electronic devices to be used appropriately for leisure 5. Coordinate with the rehab team to integrate and maximize therapeutic activity group time for advancing patients' rehabilitation goals. 6. Write measurable, evidence-based, and individual objectives for each patient2. Collaboration and Communication 1. Work with families, nursing staff, and activities department team to organize quarterly field trips and family-engaging events 2. Develop and present in-service training to nursing and respiratory staff on the holistic care of pediatric patients such as patient-centered care, behavioral management, and therapeutic interventions. 3. Work together with the on-site Zarcone School and report school engagement to parents during care conferences 4. Send patient’s families updates and fliers about upcoming family events.**C. Minimum Qualifications:**I. Formal Education/Training:* Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy (or related field ie art therapist, music therapist, dance therapist or occupational therapist assistant) and Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS); must meet California Title 22 requirements for Activity Director in a pediatric subacute facility.* BLS CertifiedI. Job Related Experience:1. A minimum of one (1) year experience working with children in a healthcare, daycare, or educational setting.2. Direct experience working with medically fragile individuals preferred.II. Physical Requirements:1. 1. Ability to lift 25 pounds comfortably and physically interact with children. 2. Physical mobility to safely maneuver, transfer and position patients (as appropriate) to maximize engagement during group and 1:1 interventions.III. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:1. Proficiency in timely, objective clinical documentation, including initial assessments, progress notes, and care plans.2. Ability to write measurable therapeutic goals and individual objectives tailored to each child's functional level.3. Proven ability to coordinate large group activities and maintain structured, organized scheduling for multi-patient programs.4. Ability to communicate effectively with interdisciplinary team members5. Ability to assess and meaningfully interact with infants, children, youth and families.6. Computer literate (Microsoft office).7. Demonstrates effective leadership and able to take initiative.8. Problem-solving, listening and communications skills.9. Able to work independently after given direction.