Recreation Assistant

Job Description

Job Description

Join the Team Voted Best Place to Work in North County!

Why Work for Gary and Mary West PACE?

Because you're looking for more than just a job - you want work/life balance and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of North County seniors and their families.

At Gary and Mary West PACE, we support your personal and professional well-being with:

• Generous pay and a comprehensive benefits package focused on your health and wellness.
• 11 paid holidays, 13 days of PTO, and 5 days of sick time.
• A 5% employer match to our 403(b) retirement plan.
• No on-call time – because your time matters.

We invest in our team with an annual education allowance and a commitment to professional growth, helping you expand your skills and advance your career.

You'll thrive in a supportive, mission-driven culture where collaboration feels like family. As part of our multi-disciplinary team, your voice is heard, and your work is truly valued.

Join us and do your best work-because here, your contribution matters.

About PACE

Philanthropists Gary and Mary West founded West Health with the mission of enabling seniors to successfully age in place with access to high-quality, affordable health and support services that preserve and protect their dignity, quality of life, and independence. The Gary and Mary West PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), affiliated with West Health ( is a non-profit that delivers medical, social, and behavioral services to the frail elderly to the North County of San Diego. This PACE center is entrepreneurial in nature and focuses on innovations and bringing new processes to the traditional PACE environment.

We're looking for passionate healthcare providers who want to be part of a team dedicated to enable seniors to live in their communities as independently as possible by providing compassionate, comprehensive health and supportive care.

One Team One Mission

Position Summary:

Under the supervision of the Recreation Supervisor, the position will assist with implementation of a comprehensive, outcomes-based recreation therapy program tailored to the goals as outlined I the care plan process that meet the needs of the frail and elderly.

Essential Functions:

• Leads and/or assists in large groups, small groups, one-on-ones, and individual activities (exercise, arts and crafts, games, current events, sensory, etc.)
• Observe participants at events and during activities to gauge their enjoyment and obtain their feedback to improve events and group programs
• Promote and encourage participants to participate in group activities with others for socialization
• Assists in the organizing of special events
• Assist in developing facility newsletter and calendar of events
• Assists with preparing and cleaning up after activities
• Assists in the ordering of supplies for department as requested and maintains equipment in good condition.
• Attends weekly team meetings.
• Attends any other meetings regarding participant care as assigned by the Recreation Supervisor.
• Adhere to and support the center's policies, practices, and procedures.
• Accept assigned duties in a cooperative manner, and perform all other related duties as assigned.
• Be flexible in schedule of hours worked
• May require use of personal vehicle.

Education and Certification:

• High school diploma/GED required. Completion of a state approved activity training course is preferred.
• Current Basic Life Support and CPR /First Aide Certification required
• Proof of auto insurance and active valid driver license.

Skills and Experience:

• Experience working in a long-term care facility or with a community-based geriatric program preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of documented experience working in a social or recreational program, providing and coordinating services for a frail or elderly population.
• Must be able to communicate effectively (written and oral form) in a care setting with participants, families, staff.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously as part of an interdisciplinary team, the elderly, providers of services, and peers.
• Passion for caring for elderly.

Medical Clearance:

Employees must have medical clearance for communicable diseases and up-to-date immunizations before having direct participant contact.

Job offers are contingent upon a successful pre-employment drug screen, background check, and physical assessment.

Gary and Mary West PACE provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, pregnancy, military and veteran status, age, physical and mental disability, genetic characteristics, gender, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation or any other considerations made unlawful by applicable state or local laws.