Recreational Activities Aide (Pediatric Feeding Disorders)

Kennedy Krieger Institute; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 18,000 - 25,000; Full time

Job summary

Kennedy Krieger Institute is seeking a Recreational Activities Aide to support pediatric patients in the Playrooms of the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program. You will supervise play areas, engage children, and help run developmentally appropriate social and recreational activities in a therapy-focused environment.

The role emphasizes safety, patient confidentiality, data reporting, and collaboration with the supervisor to improve program activities.

Qualifications

• CPR certification required; Behavior Management and Ventilator/Tracheostomy Training must be completed within 90 days.
• Experience as a paraprofessional in a classroom or with special needs population is desirable.
• Experience with developmental disabilities or severe behavior problems is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide general supervision of patients in the play areas.
• Interact and engage with children in a welcoming, stimulating, and child-oriented environment.
• Assist in facilitating developmentally appropriate social-recreational activities and positive adjustment.
• Maintain safety, cleanliness, and orderliness of playroom toys and equipment; follow routine toy washing per infection control standards.
• Monitor and manage behavior and prevent crisis situations calmly and supportively.
• Collect and report data on patient behaviors; provide daily record of patient care activities.
• Decorate playroom areas reflecting patients' artwork.
• Meet regularly with the Supervisor, Patient Services to report concerns and discuss program development.
• Provide physical care (toileting, personal hygiene) appropriate to patient abilities.
• Maintain patient confidentiality and model appropriate behavior for patients and families.
• Assist in training activities for new Recreational Activities Aides as needed.
• Complete medical, behavioral, and other in-service trainings as needed.

Skills

CPR

Behavior Management

Ventilator & Tracheostomy Training

Education

High School diploma / GED / equivalent

Job description

Overview

The Recreational Activities Aide assists staff in the implementation of developmentally appropriate play activities and management of patient behavior. The incumbent will work as part of a team to maintain a safe, therapeutic, and positive play environment for the patients in the Pediatric Feeding Disorders Program playrooms.

Responsibilities

• Provide general supervision of patients in the play areas.
• Interact and engage with children in an environment that is welcoming, stimulating, and child-oriented.
• Assist in facilitating developmentally appropriate social-recreational activities that foster a positive adjustment.
• Maintain the safety, cleanliness, and orderliness of the playroom toys, supplies, and equipment. Utilize a checklist system to ensure routine scheduled toy washing in accordance with infection control standards.
• Monitor and manage behavior and prevent crisis situations in a calm and supportive manner.
• Accurately collect and clearly report data on specified patient behaviors. Provide daily record of patient care activities.
• Creatively decorate the playroom areas to reflect patients' artwork.
• Regularly meet with the Supervisor, Patient Services to report patient or safety concerns, identify facility issues, and discuss opportunities for program development.
• Provide physical care (toileting, personal hygiene, etc.) appropriate to patient level of adaptive skills and needs.
• Maintain patient confidentiality, respect patient rights, and model appropriate behaviors in the presence of patients and their families.
• Assist in training activities for newly hired Recreational Activities Aides as needed.
• Complete medical, behavioral, and other in-service training as needed.

Qualifications

Must possess and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification and complete Behavior Management training, Ventilator & Tracheostomy Training, and other employee competency trainings that are provided by department within 90 days of employment

Education

High School diploma, GED, or equivalent required.

Experience

• Experience as a paraprofessional in a classroom or with special needs population is desirable.
• Previous experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and/or individuals with severe behavior problems is desirable.