CHILD LIFE AND THERAPEUTIC REC ASSISTANT

Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 23,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital is seeking a Child Life and Therapeutic Recreation Assistant to support play, leisure and developmental activities for patients aged 0–21 years. The role follows treatment plans and contributes to a child-centered care approach.

You will document in the electronic medical record, supervise volunteers, and assist rehabilitation staff to promote positive patient and family experiences within a pediatric hospital environment.

Qualifications

• Interpersonal skills to communicate courteously with patients and staff.
• CPR certification or readiness to obtain within 3 months.
• Experience with children (min 3 months or 120 hours) in pediatric settings.

Responsibilities

• Assist and coordinate play, leisure and developmental activities for patients aged 0–21 years.
• Document patient activities and behaviors in the electronic medical record.
• Supervise volunteers and assist in orientation of interns or students.
• Maintain inventory of toy supplies and equipment in Rehabilitation areas.
• Collaborate with departmental staff to support patient care activities.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Emergency response

Patient communication

Education

12 college credits in child life/therapeutic recreation

Job description

• Base Pay $17.85 - $21.95 / Hour
• Employee Type Full Time
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree

Description

Child Life and Therapeutic Recreation Assistant

Job Summary

Assist and coordinate play, leisure and developmental activities for assigned patients and/or patient groups ranging in age 0-21 years.

Essential Functions of Position

• Demonstrates skills and knowledge necessary to follow assigned treatment plan and to ensure interventions are appropriate to the developmental and /or chronological age of the patients
• Demonstrates the ability to provide patients with activities consistent with their developmental level.
• Demonstrates the ability to provide appropriate orientation, direction and supervision of volunteers as assigned.
• Summarizes group and individual patient behaviors in concise reports, and documents in the electronic medical record, as appropriate.
• Demonstrates the ability to provide siblings with appropriate interventions in Sibshops programs.
• Initiates cleaning, restocking and/or maintenance of supplies and materials without specific direction
• Demonstrates the ability to supervise and interact appropriately with visiting groups, volunteers or donors.
• Demonstrates a willingness to accept assignments.
• Demonstrates the ability to effectively manage group and individual patient behaviors with special physical and psychosocial needs in a group or individual setting.
• Reports patient behaviors to immediate supervisor verbally and in writing through departmental communication modalities.
• When incidents arise, completes incident reports, and appropriately escalates chain-of-command.
• Communicates regularly with patients, families and hospital staff.
• Maintains adequate inventory of and maintenance of toy supplies and equipment within Rehabilitation Department areas.
• Demonstrates and promotes excellence in customer service.
• Directly assists Departmental staff with patient care activities.

Position Requirements

Educational Requirements

Must have at least 12 college credits in child life, therapeutic recreation or related field.

Licensure and Certification

CPR (May be obtained within three months of employment).

Work Orientation and Experience

Required to have had at least 3 months or 120 hours of experience with children; ideally children with special needs or within a pediatric hospital setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Interpersonal skills necessary to communicate effectively and courteously with patients, visitors, and members of the healthcare team.
• Able to bend, stoop and lift children of varying weight and sizes up to 50 lbs. unassisted.
• Respiratory Training (may be obtained within six months of hire).
• Behavior management and de-escalation training (may be obtained within three months of hire).
• Ability to act quickly and decisively in emergency situations.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to the Department of Rehabilitation Director, Manager, Senior Therapists.

Supervision Exercised

Supervises volunteers. As assigned, assists in the orientation and supervision of interns or students.

Interpersonal Relationships

Directly interfaces daily with patients, patient families, visitors, other care team members and hospital staff.

Tools/Equipment Used

Operates patient care equipment specific to the age, condition and location of the patient such as adaptive equipment, feeding tubes and pumps, oxygen administration equipment and respiratory care equipment. Operates electrical games and computers.

Physical Environment/Working Conditions

Limited or moderate risk of exposure to body fluids, infectious waste or blood borne diseases requiring the use of personal protective equipment and adherence to established protocol. Subjected to irregular hours and occasional stress due to emergency situations or multiple demands.

This job description identifies the general nature and level of work to be performed. It is not to be considered an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties or skills required of an incumbent.