Recreational Therapist / Therapeutic Arts Specialist

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

Location :
Client homes throughout the South Bay region of the Bay Area (San Jose, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Mountain View)

Hours :
Part-time (20-30 hours per week)

Compensation :
$39-41/hour

About Sage:
Since 2001, Sage Eldercare Solutions (SES) has dedicated itself to creating solutions that promote quality of care and quality of life for older adults. Our team of professionals are expert problem-solvers, advocates, service coordinators, and QOL Engagement Specialists. With a well established professional network, we have an intimate knowledge of resources in the communities we serve. Our understanding of aging related issues enables our team members to best serve the interests and needs of our clients and family members, with equal attention to quality of care and quality of life.

The Hummingbird Program was born out of the firm belief that quality of life is as important as quality of care. Our clients, like all of us, are unique individuals with a capacity for joy and the need to feel connected to other people and engaged in the world around us. So, we created a unique group of trained professionals solely dedicated to quality of life—the emotional, intellectual, creative, environmental, physical, vocational and spiritual needs we all share as human beings.

Working in close collaboration with the Director of Hummingbird Project Service and the Manager of Hummingbird Project Services, the QOL Engagement Specialist plays a key role in planning and delivery of Hummingbird services, grounded in creative best practices, The QOL Engagement Specialist provides in-person or virtual billable direct services 85% of their total paid time.

This is an ideal role for a creative, dynamic and self-driven therapeutic arts or recreation professional with wide ranging experience in the delivery of quality of life services within the field of aging. A successful QOL Engagement Specialist is passionate about working with older adults and adults with disabilities and is a tenacious and ‘out-of-the-box thinker and problem-solver. They are able to bring optimism about what is possible for our clients into all of their work, as well as a commitment to upholding a culture of excellence.

Responsibilities include:

I. Direct Service: Planning and Delivery of Creative, High Quality Hummingbird Services

• Conducts initial phone calls with prospective clients and community members:
  • Demonstrates a holistic understanding of the client’s quality of life interests and needs
  • Clearly articulates how The Hummingbird Project is uniquely equipped to address these needs in a way that is customized to the specific history, interests, and abilities of the client
• Conducts in-home assessments of new clients, gathering information that will guide the formulation and delivery of creative, customized Quality of Life Plans that will significantly enhance clients’ quality of life in the 7 domains of wellness.
• Develops written Quality of Life Plans upon completion of the initial client assessment that focus on creativity and bringing joy to the clients lives, and can be shared with the client and/or responsible party
• Implements all aspects of the Quality of Life Plan, including obtaining needed materials, identifying barriers to implementation, and strategizing ways to overcome barriers
• Regularly develops new Quality of Life activities, ensuring they reflect creative best practices, and are targeted to achieving optimal individualized quality of life outcomes in identified domains of wellness
• Updates and modifies individual Quality of Life Plans to meet clients’ changing needs and to regularly introduce new ideas, as appropriate
• Establishes positive and engaging working relationships, communicating effectively with wide ranging clients and responsible parties, from the initial start up of engagement with a new client, and throughout their work together.
• Navigates family dynamics to maximize success in achieving quality of life goals
• Develops and implements curricula appropriate for implementation in group settings, including assisted living facilities, family caregiver support groups and care provider training.
• Responsible for planning and delivery of Sage’s Home Care Quality of Life Programming, including:
  • Monthly consultations and training with Personal Care Assistants (PCAs);
  • Developing written instructions and providing ongoing support for QOL activities that can be delivered by PCAs to Home Care Clients
  • Completing a monthly report for each Home Care client served, includes summaries of activities delivered, that are clearly written, provide a compelling overview of activities implemented, describe the clients’ response, and the client’s enhanced quality of life domains..

II. Documentation and Communication

• Maintains up-to-date documentation of work, including:
  • Engagement Plans that are clearly written and provide a roadmap for engagement activities and a description of the desired impact on Quality of Life
  • Summaries of engagement activities delivered, that are clearly written, provide a compelling overview of activities implemented, describe the clients’ response, and the client’s enhanced quality of life domains.
• Communicates regularly, in writing, by phone, or in person, with elder care professionals including: Care Managers, Fiduciaries, family members, Care Providers, Home Care staff, and other appropriate community members to advocate for clients’ needs and optimal outcomes

III. Community Relationship-Building : Works collaboratively with the Director of Hummingbird Project Service and the Manager of Hummingbird Project Services to build relationships throughout the communities we serve, with the goal of elevating Hummingbird’s profile among professionals (i.e. fiduciaries and geriatric care managers), and relevant community members. Relationship building cultivates connections that lead to new business development and referrals of new clients.

• Represents The Hummingbird Project in community and professional forums.
• Helps to maintain an active list of professional contacts and regularly reaches out to share information, provide updates on new services, and explore opportunities for collaboration and new business.

IV. Actively Contributes to the Hummingbird Team’s Knowledge of Best Practices and Shared Experience in the Delivery of Services

• Generously shares knowledge, and offers support and guidance to team members in their work, by actively contributing to monthly team meetings, sharing information from workshops, readings, and experience in the delivery of services.
• Takes initiative to present or otherwise share new knowledge that is useful to team members in effectively planning and delivering Hummingbird services

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to provide sound professional guidance, grounded in in-depth knowledge and experience in the field of aging, arts, and therapeutic therapeutic activity best practices
• In-depth knowledge of all aspects of the aging process, and conditions affecting older adults and adults with disabilities
• In-depth knowledge of the impact of clinical mental health issues in the aging population, including, but not limited to: depression, dementia, substance abuse, sleep and eating disorders, apathy, resistance, and assessment of danger to self and others
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement in making decisions regarding mandatory reporting and legal issues
• Highly skilled in formulating holistic quality of life assessments and in developing Quality of Life Plans that incorporate effective use of resources, creative problem-solving, and a wide variety of quality of life activities
• Highly skilled in curriculum development and training
• Proven ability to skillfully navigate complex family and professional dynamics in order to overcome challenges and achieve positive outcomes for clients
• Resourceful and creative in the use of local and other eldercare resources
• Able to support clients, staff, and interdisciplinary teams from a strength based perspective and to inspire and help others to achieve their best work
• Impeccable attention to detail
• Integrity, honesty and commitment to high standards of excellence and professional ethics
• Commitment to working collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent listening and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to prioritize work and manage time effectively
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive, Google Chrome, Zoom

Qualifications:

• Mental Health Professional or comparable training and experience in Therapeutic Arts including a credential in music, art, recreation, drama or expressive arts therapies OR a bachelor's degree and 10 years of experience working with older adults using art and recreation
• A minimum of 5 years of experience working with older adults
• Empathetic and compassionate with a creative approach to developing individualized activity plans.
• Proficient in holistic quality of life, life enrichment, and engagement practices.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to engage and comfort a diverse range of individuals.
• Excellent written communication skills and time management abilities.
• Experienced with G-Suite and video communication platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, and Google Hangouts.
• May transport clients as part of job responsibilities. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and meet the organization’s auto insurance requirements.

Why Sage?

• Impactful work: Every day, we're improving the lives of older adults.
• Work-life balance: We prioritize the well-being of our clients and our team.
• Innovation and support: We value your ideas and foster a learning culture.
• Medical, dental, vision, and FSA plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• 401(K) and 401(K) matching
• Employee Referral Program
• Annual pay increases
• Continuing Education
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Reimbursement of travel time and mileage within the serviced county for this position.

At Sage Eldercare Solutions, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment and building teams that represent a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. Sage is an equal-opportunity employer.

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