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Program Assistant Jobs in West Des Moines, IA (NOW HIRING)

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Program Assistant information

See West Des Moines, IA salary details

$21.1K

$44.9K

$61.9K

How much do program assistant jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for program assistant in West Des Moines, IA is $44,889.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36,800.00 and $46,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a program assistant do?

A program assistant provides administrative support for a program office, such as an academic department or a unit of a non-profit. As a program assistant, your job duties may include scheduling travel, coordinating logistical issues for executives or other team members, filing, and performing other clerical tasks as needed. To become a program assistant, you typically need at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and administrative work experience. Some employers may also require a college degree. Additional qualifications include strong multi-tasking, organizational, and communication skills, along with computer proficiency.

What does a program assistant do?

A Program Assistant provides administrative and organizational support to program managers and teams within an organization. Their responsibilities often include scheduling meetings, maintaining records, coordinating events, handling correspondence, and assisting with project logistics. Program Assistants play a vital role in ensuring that programs run smoothly by managing day-to-day tasks and supporting communication among team members. They may also help with data entry, preparing reports, and liaising with clients or participants. The specific duties can vary depending on the organization and the type of program they support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a program assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Program Assistant, you need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in administrative tasks, typically supported by a high school diploma or associate degree. Familiarity with office software like Microsoft Office Suite, database management, and scheduling systems is commonly required. Excellent communication, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities help you effectively support program operations and interact with diverse stakeholders. These skills ensure smooth program administration, efficient workflow, and high-quality support for team goals.

What are some typical challenges a program assistant might face when supporting multiple projects simultaneously?

Program Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities across various projects, which can make prioritization and time management challenging. Balancing competing deadlines, handling last-minute changes, and coordinating with diverse team members require strong organizational skills and adaptability. Successful Program Assistants proactively communicate with supervisors and colleagues, use digital tools to track tasks, and remain flexible to shifting priorities. Developing these habits helps ensure projects run smoothly and supports overall team effectiveness.

What skills do you need to be a program assistant?

A program assistant needs strong organizational and communication skills to manage tasks and coordinate activities effectively. Attention to detail, proficiency with office software, and the ability to multitask are also important for success in this role.
More about Program Assistant jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Program jobs in West Des Moines, IA?

The most popular types of Program jobs in West Des Moines, IA are:

What cities near West Des Moines, IA are hiring for Program Assistant jobs?

Cities near West Des Moines, IA with the most Program Assistant job openings:

Program Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Program Assistant job openings in West Des Moines, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 14% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $44,889 per year, or $21.6 per hour.

Hospital Elder Life Program Assistant

UnityPoint Health

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$36K - $46K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

UnityPoint Health rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 364 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

305th of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) Program Assistant is an integral HELP Team member and provides administrative clerical, as well as clinical duties, to support the daily operations of the Hospital Elder Life Program. The HELP Program Assistant is responsible for screening for and enrolling patients appropriate for HELP services; assisting with volunteer orientation and continuing education; marketing and outreach for HELP; participates in conducting the Virtual Dementia Tour (VDT); maintaining the HELP office space, supplies, and equipment; collecting, entering, and mining HELP patient data; providing HELP interventions to patients; and performing other duties as assigned by the HELP Coordinator.


At UnityPoint Health, you matter. We’re proud to be recognized as a Top 150 Place to Work in Healthcare by Becker's Healthcare several years in a row for our commitment to our team members.  

Our competitive Total Rewards program offers benefits options that align with your needs and priorities, no matter what life stage you’re in. Here are just a few:   

  • Expect paid time off, parental leave, 401K matching and an employee recognition program.   
  • Dental and health insurance, paid holidays, short and long-term disability and more. We even offer pet insurance for your four-legged family members.  
  • Early access to earned wages with Daily Pay, tuition reimbursement to help further your career and adoption assistance to help you grow your family.   

With a collective goal to champion a culture of belonging where everyone feels valued and respected, we honor the ways people are unique and embrace what brings us together.

And, we believe equipping you with support and development opportunities is a vital part of delivering an exceptional employment experience. 

Find a fulfilling career and make a difference with UnityPoint Health. 


The Hospital Elder Life Program Assistant supports both the clinical and administrative operations of the Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP), helping improve the well-being of older adult patients while coordinating program activities and volunteer engagement.

Clinical & Patient Care (50%)

  • Provide direct support and interventions for patients enrolled in HELP.
  • Promote patient mobility, cognitive engagement, comfort, and functional well-being.
  • Assist patients with mobility, activities, meals, and relaxation interventions.
  • Collaborate with nurses, volunteers, and other care team members to support patient needs.
  • Follow safety, infection prevention, and patient handling practices.
  • Support scheduling and delivery of the Virtual Dementia Tour educational program.

Administrative Support (25%)

  • Support daily HELP program operations.
  • Screen and enroll eligible patients into the program.
  • Maintain patient records, care plans, patient lists, and program data in the EMR and other systems.
  • Coordinate communication among patients, volunteers, and HELP team members.
  • Manage program supplies, equipment, and resources.
  • Assist with outreach, recruitment, and marketing activities.

Volunteer Development & Education (25%)

  • Assist with volunteer orientation, training, and continuing education.
  • Support volunteer competency validation and compliance requirements.
  • Maintain communication with volunteers and help coordinate schedules.
  • Contribute to volunteer recruitment and engagement efforts to ensure adequate program coverage.

Additional Expectations

  • Collect, enter, and analyze program and patient data.
  • Maintain HIPAA compliance and regulatory standards.
  • Demonstrate strong communication, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Support UnityPoint Health values and provide compassionate, patient-centered service

Education

  • High school diploma or GED required.
Experience
  • Prior healthcare clinical and support experience is required.
  • Experience working with older adults (65+) preferred.
Certifications
  • Must possess and maintain current Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtain certification within three (3) months from date of hire.
  • Mandatory reporter training for child abuse and dependent adult abuse required based on state regulations.
  • Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification preferred. 
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. 
  • Knowledge of medical terminology. 
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and organizational needs.
  • Knowledge of Epic or other electronic medical record (EMR) systems preferred.

What UnityPoint Health employees say

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Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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About UnityPoint Health

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At UnityPoint Health, we provide care in nine regions throughout Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin. As the nation's fourth largest nondenominational health system in America, UnityPoint Health keeps people at the center of all we do. We are looking for dynamic and talented individuals to join our team. You'll find opportunities for every sized dream.

Industry

Hospitals

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

West Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1995

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