Recreational Therapist

Habitat-Health; West Covina (CA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid parental leave

Short- and long-term disability

Life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Company paid holidays

Job summary

Habitat Health in West Covina, CA, seeks a dynamic Recreational Therapist (RT) to support older adults enrolled in our PACE program. You will plan and deliver therapeutic recreation interventions to enhance physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well‑being, coordinating with the IDT to align with participant goals and regulatory requirements.

You will assess participants, create SMART goals, and tailor activities to diverse needs, while documenting progress and ensuring safety in both day

Qualifications

• Must be a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS).
• Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy or related field or equivalent work experience.
• One to three years of experience providing recreational therapy or activity programming to aging and frail populations.
• Ability to independently plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation interventions that support participants’ physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well‑being.
• Experience conducting functional assessments and documenting participant progress in alignment with care plans and regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team (IDT).
• Ability to adapt programming to meet diverse functional levels, cultural backgrounds, and individual preferences.
• Demonstrated reliability, accountability, and sound judgment in managing day‑to‑day responsibilities and participant needs.
• Aligns with our purpose and our values, and is excited about living those out in daily practice.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment with comfort navigating ambiguity, adapting quickly, and contributing to continuous improvement.
• Strong learning and growth mindset, including seeking feedback, engaging in healthy debate and using data and curiosity to inform decisions.
• Acts with integrity and ownership, considering the broader organizational impact, doing the right thing, and following through to deliver results.

Responsibilities

• Conduct therapeutic recreation assessments on time to evaluate participants’ functional abilities, interests, strengths, and needs, and document findings in accordance with PACE regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement individualized and group therapeutic recreation interventions that support physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.
• Contribute to IDT care planning by sharing assessment findings, creating SMART goals based on assessments, and creating appropriate interventions to meet the participant’s needs.
• Adapt activities and interventions to meet diverse functional levels, cultural backgrounds, and individual preferences.
• Monitor participant progress, update care plans as needed, and document interventions and outcomes in a timely and accurate manner.
• Support safe and engaging programming within the day center and community settings, ensuring appropriate supervision and adherence to safety protocols.
• Participate in care transitions by providing input on participant needs and recommending therapeutic support for home, SNF, or hospital settings.
• Maintain therapeutic supplies, equipment, and activity spaces to ensure a safe, organized, and welcoming environment.
• Engage participants with cognitive impairment, dementia, or behavioral health needs using appropriate therapeutic approaches and de escalation techniques.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance programming, workflows, and participant engagement.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Skills

CTRS

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Assessment & documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy or related field

Job description

Habitat Health empowers older adults to experiencemore gooddays in their homes and communities. Through the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), we provide comprehensive medical care along with support for daily needs such as meals, transportation, andin ‑ homeassistance. We deliver coordinated clinical and social care in our centers and directly in participants’ homes, creating a fully integrated experience that brings peace of mind and a true sense of belonging. As we expand our scalable, affordable PACE model to meet the growing and complex needs of aging populations, ourmission ‑ drivencare teams continue to help participants live well on their own terms.

Habitat Health is supported by leading healthcare organizations and investors including New Enterprise Associates, Kaiser Permanente, and Town Hall Ventures. We are entering a period of significant growth and are looking for exceptional teammates to help us scale a better model of care for older adults. To learn more, visit www.habitathealth.com.

Role Scope : The Recreational Therapist (RT) plays a key role in supporting the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well ‑ being of participants enrolled in Habitat Health’s PACE program. This role plans and delivers therapeutic recreation interventions that promote functional ability, engagement, and quality of life for older adults with complex medical and psychosocial needs. As an active member of the interdisciplinary team (IDT), the Recreational Therapist conducts assessments, contributes to individualized care plans, and collaborates closely with clinical and social care partners to ensure programming aligns with participant goals and regulatory requirements.

Core Responsibilities & Expectations for the Role

• Conduct therapeutic recreation assessments on time to evaluate participants’ functional abilities, interests, strengths, and needs, and document findings in accordance with PACE regulatory requirements.
• Develop and implement individualized and group therapeutic recreation interventions that support physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.
• Contribute to IDT care planning by sharing assessment findings, creating SMART goals based on assessments, and creating appropriate interventions to meet the participant’s needs.
• Adapt activities and interventions to meet diverse functional levels, cultural backgrounds, and individual preferences.
• Monitor participant progress, update care plans as needed, and document interventions and outcomes in a timely and accurate manner.
• Support safe and engaging programming within the day center and community settings, ensuring appropriate supervision and adherence to safety protocols.
• Participate in care transitions by providing input on participant needs and recommending therapeutic support for home, SNF, or hospital settings.
• Maintain therapeutic supplies, equipment, and activity spaces to ensure a safe, organized, and welcoming environment.
• Engage participants with cognitive impairment, dementia, or behavioral health needs using appropriate therapeutic approaches and de  escalation techniques.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to enhance programming, workflows, and participant engagement.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS)
• Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy or related field or equivalent work experience
• One (1) to three (3) years of experience providing recreational therapy or activity programming to aging and frail populations.
• Ability to independently plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic recreation interventions that support participants’ physical, cognitive, emotional, and social well ‑ being.
• Experience conducting functional assessments and documenting participant progress in alignment with care plans and regulatory requirements.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team (IDT).
• Ability to adapt programming to meet diverse functional levels, cultural backgrounds, and individual preferences.
• Demonstrated reliability, accountability, and sound judgment in managing day ‑ to ‑ day responsibilities and participant needs.
• Aligns with our purpose and our values, and is excited about living those out in daily practice
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment with comfort navigating ambiguity, adapting quickly, and contributing to continuous improvement
• Strong learning and growth mindset, including seeking feedback, engaging in healthy debate and using data and curiosity to inform decisions.
• Acts with integrity and ownership, considering the broader organizational impact, doing the right thing, and following through to deliver results.

Nice to have:

• Bilingual: Spanish, Mandarin, or Cantonese
• Knowledge of PACE, CMS, and state regulatory requirements related to activity programming and participant engagement.

Essential Functions & Physical Requirements

The following statements describe the general nature of work and physical expectations common across roles at Habitat Health. Specific responsibilities may vary by position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Team members in this role may be expected to:

• Work in healthcare, administrative, community, or remote environments, depending on role needs.
• Communicate effectively with participants, caregivers, team members, and other stakeholders in person, by phone, and through electronic systems.
• Remain stationary and/or move about for extended periods, consistent with job duties.
• Operate standard office equipment and/or clinical tools (e.g., computers, phones, medical devices, documentation systems).
• Travel between work sites or community locations as needed.
• Follow safety procedures, infection control protocols, and use personal protective equipment (PPE) when required.
• Perform tasks that may involve bending, reaching, lifting, or assisting participants, depending on role responsibilities.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull supplies, equipment, or materials typically up to 25-50 pounds, with assistance or mechanical aids, depending on job duties and role responsibilities.

Compensation: The anticipated salary range for this position is $30 - $35 per hour.This position is also eligible for a target annual bonus of5% and may be eligible for additional incentive compensation, as applicable. The final compensation offered will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's qualifications, skills, experience, education, certifications, geographical location, and business needs. In addition, this position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; paid parental leave, short- and long-term disability coverage; life insurance; flexible spending accounts; a 401(k) savings plan that includes a match; paid time off; and company paid holidays.

• medical, dental, and vision insurance
• paid parental leave
• short- and long-term disability coverage
• life insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• a 401(k) savings plan that includes a match
• paid time off
• company paid holidays

At-Will Employment

Employment with Habitat Health is at-will. This means that either the employee or the employer may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice, subject to applicable law. Nothing in this job posting or any other company document is intended to create a contract of employment, express or implied, or to alter the at-will nature of employment.

Any written or oral statements to the contrary are not authorized unless made in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the Company.

To helpmaintaina safe environment for our participants and team members, Habitat Healthmaintainsvaccination and infection control policies applicable to certain roles and work locations. For COVID-19 and influenza, team members who are working in a participant care setting are required to provide either proof of vaccination or a signed declination form and comply with applicable masking requirements while in a care setting to the extent permitted by law in the applicable jurisdiction.

Habitat Health will consider requests for reasonable accommodation based on an applicant's disability, medical condition, or sincerely held religious belief, practice, or observance in accordance with applicable law.

As a condition of employment, team members are expected to comply with all applicable infection control protocols, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and vaccination requirements associated with their role and work location, and to the extent required by law and as permitted in the applicable jurisdiction.

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

Habitat Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed tothe principles of equal opportunity and inclusion. Employment decisions at Habitat Health are based on qualifications, merit, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, military or veteran status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, reproductive health decision-making, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Habitat Health is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. Consistent with applicable law, we provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to individuals with religious beliefs, practices, or observances that require accommodation.

If you require a reasonableaccommodation toparticipatein the application or interview process, perform the essential functions of a position, or receive other employment benefits and privileges, please contact us at [e-mail] .

We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, even if their experience does not align perfectly with every qualification listed.

Habitat Health participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with information from your Form I-9 to confirm your authorization to work in the United States.

If E-Verify cannot confirm your authorization to work, Habitat Health will provide you with written instructions and an opportunity to contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and/or the Social Security Administration (SSA) to resolve the issue before any adverse employment action is taken, including termination of employment.

E-Verify is used only after an applicant has accepted an offer of employment and completed the Form I-9 and to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Habitat Health complies with all federal and state employment eligibility verification requirements.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Habitat Health’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.