PACE Recreational Therapist at VCC: Glendale – Glendale, California

Overview

At Vista Community Clinic (VCC), we believe healthcare is more than medicine, it’s about hope, community, and impact. For over 50 years, we’ve been a leader in the community clinic movement, growing from a small volunteer-driven effort in Vista to a nationally recognized network of state-of-the-art clinics across San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties. Today VCC has 14 clinics serving over 70,000 patients annually, we continue our mission of delivering exceptional, patient-centered care where it’s needed most.

As a private, non-profit, multi-specialty outpatient clinic, VCC provides more than healthcare, we provide opportunity. Here your skills are celebrated, your growth is supported and your work makes a difference. We know that our success is a direct result of the exceptional talents and dedication of our employees.

✨For eligible employees, benefits include:
✅ Competitive compensation & benefits
✅ Medical, dental, vision
✅ Company-paid life insurance
✅ Flexible spending accounts
✅ 403(b) retirement plan

Why VCC?• 🏅 Winner of the 2025 HRSA Gold Medal for Outstanding Care, placing VCC among the top 10% of Federally Qualified Health Centers in the U.S.

• Recognized by HRSA as a National Quality Leader in Behavioral Health and Diabetes and for excellence in Preventive Health and Health IT.

• A robust training & development culture to help you grow and advance your career.

• A workplace built on respect, collaboration and passion for care.

Responsibilities
Job Summary

Plans, develops, implements, and evaluates age-appropriate, therapeutic recreational activities for participants including those with cognitive, developmental, and physical disabilities. Provides direction and support to Recreation Assistants and other staff members as appropriate.

Plans a variety of activities that include, but are not limited to, exercise, arts and crafts, celebrations, special events, recreational games, community outings, and cognitive groups.Organizes community outings and special events at Adult Day Health Center (ADHC). Arranges transportation, entertainment, catering, and ADHC staff needed.Develops and distributes a monthly calendar of activities.Plans and implements small group or one-on-one activities for dementia-specific population including sensory stimulation. Oversees daily flow of dementia activities area.Assists participants and caregivers by providing leisure education for activity modification or skill development and supplies for in-home use as needed.Functions as a participant of the interdisciplinary team; attends team meetings and periodic reviews. Reports changes in participants’ baseline status to appropriate staff on a daily basis.Maintains general order in activities area(s) including daily clean-up, routine supply inventory, ordering, and purchasing. Maintains overall general budgeting.Assesses involvement in activity for participants placed in group/nursing homes; may include direct visit with participants in these settings. Works with nursing home and other community based living facility staff to impact participants in these settings.Completes documentation including initial assessments, periodic reviews, individual service plans, and other data on participants as directed by the interdisciplinary team.Provides direction and support to Recreation Assistants, volunteers and other staff participants.Provides on-going support to all staff involved in dementia-specific programming related to the dementia disease process.Transports participants within the ADHC and rearranges activity rooms as needed.Maintains and promotes compliance with all regulatory requirements, reimbursement standards, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility. Completes annual competency requirements.Consistently achieves high standards of accuracy in work product and documentation.Practices universal precaution procedures and proper safety techniques in accordance with policies and procedures. Protects privacy and maintains confidentiality of associates, participants, and sensitive agency information.Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or closely related field preferred. Minimum of one year of personal, clinical/internship, or employment experience providing care or services for frail elderly population.

Preferred Qualifications

PACE experienceEducation or training in geriatrics and dementia programming preferred; good working knowledge of dementia disease process.

Required Skills/Knowledge/Abilities

Knowledge of PACE program.Working knowledge of recreational therapy techniques and practices of the elderly including assessments, care plan development, monitoring, and evaluation. Familiar with illnesses common to diverse populations including frail older, developmentally, or physical disabled adult populations.Working knowledge of physical, psychosocial, and behavioral needs of the elderly population.Excellent organizational, interpersonal and presentation skills.Excellent verbal and written communication skills.Ability to work without close supervision or professional guidance and to exercise independent judgment.Knowledge of physical, mental and social needs of frail older adults.Effective skills in physical assessment and chronic disease management for frail older adults.Effective listening and oral and written communication skills.Demonstrated ability to work effectively within the interdisciplinary team setting.Computer proficiency.Able to manage changing priorities per participant needs.Strong organizational skills.Strong Computer skillsDemonstrates necessary skills and knowledge as outlined in the position-specific Competency Assessment Profile.Requires valid driver’s license.

Pay

• $72,800 - $104,000 Depending on Experience