DEPARTMENT(S): PACE
REPORTS TO: Supervisor Day Center (PACE)
FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt
SALARY GRADE: E - $23.0769 - $29.8077 ($48,000 - $62,000)
JOB SUMMARY
Under the direct supervision of the Day Center Supervisor and working under the guidance of the Activity Coordinator, the Therapy Aide (Recreational) will provide therapeutic and recreational support services to CalOptima’s Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) participants in the day health center. In addition, the incumbent will perform other activities and tasks as assigned by the Day Center Supervisor.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assists in the coordination of the day center social programming and activity; communicates current events and PACE organizational issues to participants in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
- Works under the guidance of the Activity Coordinator to support and assist with care plan assessments as needed.
- Facilitates recreational programming in accordance with individual treatment plans. Facilitates and participates in social and recreation activities with participants.
- Supports the Activity Coordinator with coordinating and facilitating participant outings, special events, activity ideas, and collaborates with other departments.
- Supports supervision of participants’ level of engagement and involvement and provides feedback to the Activity Coordinator; documents activity services provided (e.g., charge tickets).
- Reports observed changes in participants’ conditions to the Day Center Supervisor and other Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) members as appropriate.
- Maintains and ensures activity supplies are consistently available for participant use.
- Demonstrates safe practices with participants utilizing proper body mechanics as needed; complies with universal precautions.
- Other projects and duties as assigned.
POSSESSES THE ABILITY TO:
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing, to a variety of persons, including participants, families, staff, and other agencies.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with CalOptima leadership and staff, in a team environment and independently with participants.
- Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks within context throughout the day.
- Care for geriatric patients in a compassionate and patient manner.
- Meet a standardized set of competencies for the specific position description established by CalOptima PACE and approved regulatory agencies before working independently.
- Conduct daily recreational and physical activities in assisting frail elders in an ergonomic manner to avoid injury.
- Bring new, thoughtful, and creative ideas to enhance the participants’ experience in recreational activities.
- Supports the Activity Coordinator regarding therapeutic services and/or monitoring of participant status.
- Be medically cleared for communicable diseases and have all immunizations up to date before engaging in direct participant contact.
- Utilize computer and appropriate software (e.g., Microsoft Office: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word) and job-specific applications/systems to produce correspondence, charts, spreadsheets, and/or other information applicable to the position assignment.
EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- 1 year of experience with the frail or elderly population within the last 3 years, preferably in a social or recreational program setting, required.
- 1 year of experience with persons with dementia required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy or related field preferred.
- Prior experience working with Activity Coordinators preferred.
- Bilingual in English and in one of CalOptima's defined threshold language (Spanish, Vietnamese, Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Chinese) preferred.
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- Geriatric population with physical disabilities and limitations.
- Proper body mechanics during provision of assistance with activities of daily living.
- Safe and sanitary personal care techniques for elderly population with physical limitations.
- Social activities, including arts/crafts and performance programming, tailored to the senior population.
CalOptima is an equal employment opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit. CalOptima wants to have qualified employees in every job position. CalOptima prohibits unlawful discrimination against any employee, or applicant for employment, based on race, religion/religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, sex stereotype, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transitioning status, age, sexual orientation, immigration status, military status as a disabled veteran, or veteran of the Vietnam era, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. CalOptima also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who has, or is perceived as having, any of those characteristics.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Human Resources Disability Management at 657-900-1134.
Required Skills
Required Experience