Therapeutic Recreation Specialist for Aging Adults

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 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