Recreational Therapist / Therapeutic Arts Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Role Title:
Internally at Sage this role is called: Quality of Life Engagement Specialist

Location :
Client homes throughout Orange County, CA (Laguna Beach, Newport Beach, Mission Viejo, Irvine)

Hours :
Part-time: around 15-20 hours per week based on client needs and caseload growth. Note this will be a variable schedule and hours cannot be guaranteed. There is potential for the role to grow into a full-time position over the long term.

Compensation :
$39-41/hour. Offered compensation will be determined based on education and experience.

About Sage:

Want a meaningful career where you can make a difference in people's lives? We're on a mission to provide the best care and quality of life for older adults - and we need your energy, skills, and creativity!

At Sage Eldercare Solutions, we're setting the standard for excellence in eldercare. Forget stuffy offices and rigid rules - we're a fast-paced, close-knit group who support each other and get creative to help create the best outcomes for our clients.

Since 2001, we've made it our goal to enhance quality of life through understanding clients' unique needs. Our team of nurses, social workers, and gerontologists act as advocates, counselors, and problem solvers to address physical, social, and emotional well-being. We have art, music, and recreational therapists who enrich the quality of our clients' lives. And we have care providers who bring amazing passion and attention to detail to their work along with a team of dedicated home care managers who support them and help them shine.

About the team:

The Hummingbird Project team is a group of creative, dynamic professionals dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults and adults living with cognitive, physical, developmental, neurological, or mental health challenges. Grounded in the belief that quality of life is as important as quality of care, our Engagement Specialists create highly individualized, relationship-centered experiences that foster purpose, creativity, connection, autonomy, and joy. Working collaboratively with clients, families, interdisciplinary teams, leadership, and community partners, the team develops Quality of Life Engagement Plans rooted in the Hummingbird Project Seven Domains of Wellness and each client's unique history, strengths, interests, abilities, and goals.

What you'll do:

• Conduct comprehensive quality of life consultations, assessments, and intake visits, and develop individualized Quality of Life Engagement Plans based on each client's strengths, interests, history, culture, preferences, evolving needs, and the Seven Domains of Wellness.
• Deliver engaging, relationship-centered therapeutic sessions using evidence-informed and creative approaches; adapt interventions as client needs change and promote dignity, autonomy, purpose, creativity, connection, and meaningful engagement.
• Recognize and communicate significant changes in client status and collaborate with clients, families, fiduciaries, conservators, Care Managers, Home Care teams, healthcare professionals, Personal Care Assistants, and other community partners to support holistic outcomes.
• Complete timely, accurate documentation, including Quality of Life Engagement Plans, engagement session reports, progress summaries, and required reports, while maintaining organized schedules, client records, mileage tracking, timekeeping, and organizational systems.
• Meet established productivity, utilization, documentation, confidentiality, safety, ethical, and operational expectations through reliable follow-through, responsiveness, sound judgment, and effective time management.
• Serve as a positive ambassador for The Hummingbird Project by building relationships with referral partners, community organizations, facilities, and professional networks and participating in outreach, educational presentations, networking, and marketing initiatives as requested.
• Actively participate in supervision, team meetings, continuing education, and organizational initiatives; share creative ideas, resources, and best practices and contribute to a collaborative, respectful, learning-focused culture.
• Model Sage Eldercare Solutions' Core Values and Hummingbird's commitment to Best Possible Outcomes while taking initiative to improve client experiences, team effectiveness, organizational success, and stewardship of resources, relationships, and reputation.

Who you are:

• Bachelor's degree or higher preferred. Degree or formal training in Expressive Arts Therapy, Recreation Therapy, Music Therapy, Art Therapy, Drama/Psychodrama Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Poetry Therapy, Play Therapy, Nature-Based/Eco-Art Therapy, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Gerontology, Counseling, Education, Human Services, Healthcare, or a related field preferred. Equivalent combinations of education, professional training, certification, and relevant experience may be considered.
• Minimum two (2) years of experience working with older adults or individuals living with dementia, neurological conditions, developmental disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic illness, or other populations requiring individualized therapeutic engagement preferred.
• You bring strong relationship-building and therapeutic engagement abilities, excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, and exceptional organization, planning, time management, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
• You understand aging, dementia, mental health, therapeutic engagement, person-centered care, and relationship-centered practices and can adapt thoughtfully to changing client needs while exercising sound professional judgment.
• You work independently while collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary teams, use organizational technology and documentation systems confidently, and are committed to continuous learning and professional development.
• You are able to travel throughout the assigned service area and conduct visits in homes, senior living communities, healthcare settings, community locations, and virtual environments. A valid driver's license, reliable transportation, and current automobile insurance are required.
• You are able to facilitate therapeutic engagement activities in varied indoor and outdoor environments and occasionally lift, transport, organize, and set up activity materials, adaptive equipment, and program supplies.

Why Sage?

• We are living our mission and are creating great outcomes for clients every day
• We focus on quality of life for our clients AND our employees - emphasizing work-life balance and wellbeing
• We're a forward-thinking organization that values your creativity and innovation
• We have a supportive, inclusive culture that embraces diverse perspectives and celebrates authenticity
• We offer professional growth through continuing education funds, mentorship, and promotion opportunities
• A few of our benefits include: PTO and paid holidays, health insurance (medical, dental, and vision), 401(k) employer match, and an annual gift when the company goals are met.

Career Pathway: Quality of Life Engagement Specialist I → II → III → IV – Mentor → Manager of Hummingbird Project Services (MHP I) or Operations Manager of Hummingbird Project Services → Senior Leadership Pathways.

Sage Eldercare Solutions is an equal-opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Let's do work that matters! Apply now and join our ambitious efforts to provide the best possible quality of care and quality of life for our clients.

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