Recreational Therapist - PACE

Empath Health; Florida; On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Benefits & Wellness

PTO 5+ weeks

CEU support & tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Empath Health’s PACE program in Pinellas Park, FL is seeking a compassionate Recreational Therapist to assess participant needs and develop individualized therapeutic recreation plans. You will plan, organize, and participate in a comprehensive program for frail elderly participants, including dementia-focused activities and community outings.

You’ll join an interdisciplinary team, document progress, and mentor Activity Assistants.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field required.
• CPR certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• Minimum two years experience in a social or recreational program for frail/elderly population, including full-time work in a patient activities program in a health care setting (past 5 years).
• CTRS or CTRS Eligible preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct initial, quarterly, and ongoing participant assessments and contribute to interdisciplinary care planning.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized and group recreational activities supporting cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being.
• Lead dementia-specific programming, including sensory stimulation and one-on-one engagement.
• Coordinate community outings, special events, and monthly activity calendars.
• Document participant progress, incidents, and program outcomes in compliance with organizational standards.
• Train and support Activity Assistants and staff on recreational and dementia-related programming.
• Assist with participant ADLs, nutrition monitoring, and meal services under RN supervision.
• Maintain supplies, oversee activity areas, coordinate volunteers, and support quality improvement initiatives.

Skills

Recreation Therapy

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy

Job description

PACE, a member of Empath Health is seeking a compassionate and detail-oriented Recreational Therapist to join our interdisciplinary PACE team in Pinellas Park, FL. In this role, the Recreational Therapist assesses the needs, interests and capabilities of participants and develops individualized therapeutic recreation plans. In addition, the Recreational Therapist plans, organizes, directs and participates in a comprehensive therapeutic recreation program tailored to the general and individualized needs and limitations of frail elderly program participants.

What is PACE?

The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) is a unique care model designed to help older adults remain safe and independent in their own homes.

• Relationship-Based Care with Real Impact: Build long-term connections with participants, supporting them through all stages of care—this is a meaningful alternative to traditional inpatient or facility-based care.
• Team-Driven, Preventive Focus: Collaborate closely with physicians, social workers, therapists, and other clinicians in a proactive care model focused on prevention, wellness, and holistic well-being.

What You’ll Do

• Conduct initial, quarterly, and ongoing participant assessments and contribute to interdisciplinary care planning.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate individualized and group recreational activities that support cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being.
• Lead dementia-specific programming, including sensory stimulation and one-on-one engagement.
• Coordinate community outings, special events, and monthly activity calendars.
• Document participant progress, incidents, and program outcomes in compliance with organizational standards.
• Train and support Activity Assistants and staff on recreational and dementia-related programming.
• Assist with participant ADLs, nutrition monitoring, and meal services as needed under RN supervision.
• Maintain supplies, oversee activity areas, coordinate volunteers, and support quality improvement initiatives.
• Ensure participant confidentiality and compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Why Join Empath Health?

• Earn Competitive Pay: Your skills and contributions are recognized and rewarded.
• Benefits & Wellness: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement with company match, plus wellness programs to support your mind and body.
• Industry-Leading PTO: 5+ weeks to rest, recharge, and live your Full Life.
• Grow Your Career: CEU support, tuition reimbursement, and advancement opportunities.
• Make a Difference: Join a mission-driven team dedicated to kindness, compassion, and Full Life Care for All.

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field required.
• Valid CPR certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association.
• Minimum two years experience in a social or recreational program providing and coordinating services to a frail or elderly population within the past 5 years, one of which was full-time in a patient activities program in a health care setting.
• Education or training in geriatrics, including dementia, preferred.
• CTRS or CTRS Eligible preferred.

Unified in empathy, we serve our communities through extraordinary Full Life Care for All.

Empath Health is a not-for-profit healthcare organization providing Full Life Care through a connected network of services across Florida—including hospice, home health, grief care, geriatric primary care, elder care (PACE), HIV and sexual health (EPIC), and dementia support.

Full Life Care means caring for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—with empathy and dignity. Our care goes beyond medicine to help people feel seen, supported, and valued at every stage of life.

At Empath Health, you’ll find purpose, partnership, and possibility in a culture where compassion drives excellence and every team member helps make life’s journey more meaningful.

Empath Health is committed to complying with all applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended ("ADA"), and applicable state and local laws. It is Empath Health's policy not to discriminate against any qualified person or applicant with regard to any terms or conditions of employment on the basis of such individual's disability. Consistent with this policy of non-discrimination, Empath Health will provide reasonable accommodations to an individual with a disability, as defined in the ADA or applicable law, who has made Empath Health aware of his/her disability, unless doing so would cause an undue hardship to Empath Health. If you are an applicant and need a reasonable accommodation when applying for job opportunities within Empath Health or to request a reasonable accommodation to utilize Empath Health's online employment application, please contact [e-mail]. Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. For more information, please refer to this machine-readable PDF to Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. If viewing in HTML, please see Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal in English or Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal in Spanish.