Senior Living Recreation Therapist & Program Lead

San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision

403(b) Retirement Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Commuter Benefits

Weekday Shuttle Service to Glen Park

Job summary

San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL) seeks a Recreation Therapist to lead therapeutic activity services within our Acute Geriatric Psychiatry Hospital. You will design evidence-based programs that support stabilization, recovery, and progressive wellness for older adults, while aligning with each patient’s treatment plan.

You will supervise staff, coordinate with the IDT, ensure documentation quality, and maintain safety and regulatory compliance across programs, delivering

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field required.
• Master’s degree preferred.
• Two years of experience with mentally ill patients is preferred.
• CPI certification within 90 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Develop and enhance a comprehensive therapeutic activities program aligned with best practices.
• Ensure compliance with CMS, Joint Commission, and state guidelines.
• Lead, supervise, and develop Recreation Coordinators, students, interns, and volunteers.
• Maintain EMR documentation and treatment plans.
• Collaborate with IDT to integrate programming into care plans.

Skills

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Staff leadership

Therapeutic programming

Regulatory compliance

EMR documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CPI certification

Job description

Nestled in San Francisco's Excelsior neighborhood on a nine-acre campus, the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL) is the leading senior services organization in Northern California. Our continuum of care includes: the Frank Residences assisted living and memory care; the Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center, offering long-term skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, an acute geriatric psychiatric unit for adults over the age of 65; and our Foundation.

Founded in 1871 and formerly known as the Jewish Home, our legacy grounds us as our vision propels us forward. Today, we've evolved to support more than 2,500 older adults each year through innovative, comprehensive programs rooted in the Jewish values of compassion, community, and excellence. We are equally proud of our inclusive culture, where 950 team members of diverse faiths and backgrounds work together in shared purpose.

WHY WORK WITH US

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Meaningful work that positively impacts the lives of older adults every day
• Inclusive community, welcoming to all (you do not need to be Jewish to live or work here)
• Supportive, team-oriented environment
• Opportunities for professional growth and development
• Collaborative leadership focused on enhancing the employee experience

POSITION SUMMARY
As a Recreation Therapist, you will provide strategic leadership, program development, and operational oversight for all therapeutic activity services within the Acute Geriatric Psychiatry Hospital (AGPH). You are responsible for designing and delivering evidence-based therapeutic programming that supports patient stabilization, recovery, and progression to the highest level of wellness. You will serve as a key member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDT), ensuring therapeutic activity services are clinically aligned, regulatory compliant, and integrated into each patient’s individualized treatment plan while driving program excellence, staff performance, and continuous improvement.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Develop and enhance a comprehensive therapeutic activities program aligned with best practices and patient needs.
• Establish program goals, performance metrics, and outcomes tied to patient wellness and recovery.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including CMS, Joint Commission, and state guidelines.
• Introduce innovative, evidence-based therapeutic modalities appropriate for geriatric psychiatric populations.
• Oversee group and individualized therapeutic interventions and ensure alignment with patient treatment plans.
• Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDT) to integrate therapeutic programming into care plans.
• Maintain a safe, respectful, and therapeutic milieu for all patients.
• Lead, supervise, and develop Recreation Coordinators, students, interns, and volunteers.
• Manage staffing models, schedules, training, and performance management.
• Foster a culture of accountability, compassion, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as an active member of the IDT, contributing patient engagement insights and clinical observations.
• Collaborate with nursing, psychiatry, and social services to support comprehensive care delivery.
• Ensure accurate, timely EMR documentation, including assessments, progress notes, and care plans.
• Establish documentation standards, conduct audits, and monitor compliance and quality indicators.
• Promote patient dignity, engagement, and safety while reducing isolation and behavioral risks.
• Conduct initial activity assessments within 72 hours of admission and ensure ongoing reassessments are completed weekly.
• Ensure recreation therapy treatment plans are developed within required timeframes and updated regularly based on patient progress.
• Participate in and present at treatment team meetings, providing updates on patient status, behaviors, and interventions.
• Monitor patients for behavioral changes, medication side effects, and cognitive or physical changes, reporting findings to licensed staff.
• Facilitate group and individual therapeutic programs across social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical domains.
• Maintain activity calendars and ensure appropriate supervision of patients during all programming.
• Account for and secure all equipment, supplies, and potentially hazardous items after each session.
• Provide patient and family education related to therapeutic programming and treatment plans.
• Report incidents, safety concerns, and equipment issues in accordance with facility policy.
• Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives, including reviewing indicators and recommending improvements.
• Assist with complaint, grievance, and compliment processes, including tracking, trending, and reporting outcomes.
• Provide ongoing staff training on behavioral interventions and psychosocial care.
• Ensure patient safety through adherence to fall precautions, elopement prevention, and environmental safety standards.
• Maintain compliance with all facility policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Respond appropriately to emergency situations and support a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
• Maintain confidentiality and uphold standards of dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity.
• Attend required in-services, trainings, and meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Alternative qualifications may include a bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, social services, occupational therapy, kinesiology) with eligibility for certification.
• Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with mentally ill patients preferred.
• Certification or eligibility for certification as a Recreation Therapist through the California Board of Park and Recreation or the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
• CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certification within 90 days of hire.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing mental health services.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.
• Ability to make independent decisions and respond appropriately to cultural diversity.
• Demonstrated ability to engage geriatric and mentally ill populations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
• Ability to move throughout the facility throughout the day.
• Ability to cope with mental, emotional, and physical demands of the role.
• Ability to work with elderly, mentally ill, and emotionally distressed individuals.
• Ability to lift, push, pull, or move between 25–50 pounds.
• Ability to assist in emergency evacuations.
• Ability to tolerate exposure to blood, body fluids, chemicals, noise, and environmental hazards.
• Ability to stand, sit, bend, stoop, stretch, twist, and reach for extended periods.
• Good visual and auditory acuity with fine motor skills.

OUR INVESTMENT IN YOU

Comprehensive benefits, including Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage; a 403(b) Retirement Plan; Paid Time Off (PTO); Tuition Reimbursement; Commuter Benefits; and Weekday Shuttle Service to and from Glen Park BART Station.

The San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.

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