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About the Role

As a Recreation Therapist, you will provide strategic leadership, program development, and operational oversight for all therapeutic activity services within the Acute Geriatric Psychiatry Hospital (AGPH). You are responsible for designing and delivering evidence-based therapeutic programming that supports patient stabilization, recovery, and progression to the highest level of wellness. You will serve as a key member of the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDT), ensuring therapeutic activity services are clinically aligned, regulatory compliant, and integrated into each patient’s individualized treatment plan while driving program excellence, staff performance, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Develop and enhance a comprehensive therapeutic activities program aligned with best practices and patient needs.
Establish program goals, performance metrics, and outcomes tied to patient wellness and recovery.
Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including CMS, Joint Commission, and state guidelines.
Introduce innovative, evidence-based therapeutic modalities appropriate for geriatric psychiatric populations.
Oversee group and individualized therapeutic interventions and ensure alignment with patient treatment plans.
Collaborate with the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDT) to integrate therapeutic programming into care plans.
Maintain a safe, respectful, and therapeutic milieu for all patients.
Lead, supervise, and develop Recreation Coordinators, students, interns, and volunteers.
Manage staffing models, schedules, training, and performance management.
Foster a culture of accountability, compassion, and continuous improvement.
Serve as an active member of the IDT, contributing patient engagement insights and clinical observations.
Collaborate with nursing, psychiatry, and social services to support comprehensive care delivery.
Ensure accurate, timely EMR documentation, including assessments, progress notes, and care plans.
Establish documentation standards, conduct audits, and monitor compliance and quality indicators.
Promote patient dignity, engagement, and safety while reducing isolation and behavioral risks.
Conduct initial activity assessments within 72 hours of admission and ensure ongoing reassessments are completed weekly.
Ensure recreation therapy treatment plans are developed within required timeframes and updated regularly based on patient progress.
Participate in and present at treatment team meetings, providing updates on patient status, behaviors, and interventions.
Monitor patients for behavioral changes, medication side effects, and cognitive or physical changes, reporting findings to licensed staff.
Facilitate group and individual therapeutic programs across social, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and physical domains.
Maintain activity calendars and ensure appropriate supervision of patients during all programming.
Account for and secure all equipment, supplies, and potentially hazardous items after each session.
Provide patient and family education related to therapeutic programming and treatment plans.
Report incidents, safety concerns, and equipment issues in accordance with facility policy.
Participate in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) initiatives, including reviewing indicators and recommending improvements.
Assist with complaint, grievance, and compliment processes, including tracking, trending, and reporting outcomes.
Provide ongoing staff training on behavioral interventions and psychosocial care.
Ensure patient safety through adherence to fall precautions, elopement prevention, and environmental safety standards.
Maintain compliance with all facility policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
Respond appropriately to emergency situations and support a safe environment for patients, visitors, and staff.
Maintain confidentiality and uphold standards of dignity, respect, and cultural sensitivity.
Attend required in-services, trainings, and meetings.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
Alternative qualifications may include a bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, social services, occupational therapy, kinesiology) with eligibility for certification.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with mentally ill patients preferred.
Certification or eligibility for certification as a Recreation Therapist through the California Board of Park and Recreation or the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC).
CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention) certification within 90 days of hire.
Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing mental health services.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary teams.
Ability to make independent decisions and respond appropriately to cultural diversity.
Demonstrated ability to engage geriatric and mentally ill populations.
Ability to move throughout the facility throughout the day.
Ability to cope with mental, emotional, and physical demands of the role.
Ability to work with elderly, mentally ill, and emotionally distressed individuals.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or move between 25–50 pounds.
Ability to assist in emergency evacuations.
Ability to tolerate exposure to blood, body fluids, chemicals, noise, and environmental hazards.
Ability to stand, sit, bend, stoop, stretch, twist, and reach for extended periods.
Good visual and auditory acuity with fine motor skills.

Skills

Therapeutic activity services
Evidence-based therapeutic programming
Patient stabilization
Patient recovery
Patient wellness
Interdisciplinary Treatment Team (IDT) collaboration
Clinical alignment
Regulatory compliance
Program excellence
Staff performance management
Continuous improvement
Best practices
Performance metrics
Outcomes measurement
Innovative therapeutic modalities
Geriatric psychiatric populations
Group and individualized therapeutic interventions
Patient treatment plans
Therapeutic milieu management
Staff supervision and development
Staffing model management
Schedule management
Training management
Performance management
Accountability
Compassion
Patient engagement insights
Clinical observations
Care delivery collaboration
EMR documentation
Documentation standards
Auditing
Quality indicators
Patient dignity promotion
Patient engagement
Patient safety
Isolation reduction
Behavioral risk reduction
Activity assessments
Recreation therapy treatment plans
Treatment team meeting participation
Behavioral change monitoring
Medication side effect monitoring
Cognitive change monitoring
Physical change monitoring
Psychosocial care
Fall precautions
Elopement prevention
Environmental safety standards
Emergency response
Confidentiality
Dignity
Respect
Cultural sensitivity
Behavioral interventions

Location

San Francisco

Work Type

Full-time

Experience Level

2 years of experience working with mentally ill patients preferred

Education Level

Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy or related field
Master’s degree preferred
Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g., psychology, social services, occupational therapy, kinesiology) with eligibility for certification

Salary/Compensations

$41.00 to $50.00 per hour

Benefits

Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
403(b) Retirement Plan
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Tuition Reimbursement
Commuter Benefits
Weekday Shuttle Service to and from Glen Park BART Station

About the Company

Nestled in San Francisco's Excelsior neighborhood on a nine-acre campus, the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living (SFCJL) is the leading senior services organization in Northern California.
Our continuum of care includes: the Frank Residences assisted living and memory care; the Jewish Home and Rehabilitation Center, offering long-term skilled nursing, short-term rehabilitation, an acute geriatric psychiatric unit for adults over the age of 65; and our Foundation.
Founded in 1871 and formerly known as the Jewish Home, our legacy grounds us as our vision propels us forward.
Today, we've evolved to support more than 2,500 older adults each year through innovative, comprehensive programs rooted in the Jewish values of compassion, community, and excellence.
We are equally proud of our inclusive culture, where 950 team members of diverse faiths and backgrounds work together in shared purpose.

Equal Opportunity

The San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.
We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment.