Child Activity Coordinator I

A Child Activity Coordinator is responsible for supporting the psychosocial and developmental needs of patients and their families in a patient and family centered care environment. A Child Activity Coordinator plans and implements developmentally appropriate interactions and activities for patients to promote safe and developmentally appropriate play and normalization experiences for patients and families and helps plan and staff events and programs and group activities. The Child Activity Coordinator processes and distributes toys, supplies and donations and acts as a hospital representative for entertainers and special guests during unit-based visits with patients.

Title and rate of pay will be based on education and experience.
Responsibilities:

• Communicates patient and family information with the CLS and unit team in order to provide customized experiences to meet the patient's needs. Advocates for specific needs as identified by the patient and family. Interacts with patients and family members to promote the patient's development and positive adjustment to the hospital setting.
• Manages and utilizes technology tools, hospital resources (sensory room, Dream Big Studio, Matt's Maker Space, library, etc. ) and applications in providing appropriate activities for patients.
• Coordinates and participates in events and programs for patients and. Accountable for assigned event role including set up, tear down, registration, hosting, overseeing volunteer activities, transporting patients and supporting event success.
• Assume a leadership role with department and/or hospital-related committees and projects. Develop, implement, and coordinate new and existing specialty programs under the supervision of the Child Life Director.
• Display a strong personal commitment in providing quality Child Life service. Assume a leadership role with staff, promotes skills in others and orients new staff members. Mentor new CLAs in working with hospitalized patients. Active in decision making responsibilities and delegation in the absence of the Child Life Director and unit Child Life Specialist.
• Recognized as a child development resource for clinical practice and operational systems. Respected by hospital personnel for opinions on issues related to developmentally appropriate practice and family centered care in meeting the developmental needs of children and their families.
• Maintains the Child Life activity areas in an organized, clean and safe manner. Is knowledgeable about and follows all hospital policies and procedures for safety, security and infection prevention. Completes the Activity Center Preparation and Daily Activity Center Sign In forms daily and submits monthly to Manager.
• Develops monthly orders and processes expense reports and answer developmentally age appropriate play and program consults and documents in the electronic charting system.
• Receives, organizes and distributes holiday and community donations. Processes donations, sorts items appropriate for use, and coordinates usage plan with designated departments and staff members.
• Collaborates with the unit CLS and/or CL Manager, to plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities and projects for individual and groups of patients. Acts as a resource to families about special programs.
• Act as a role model to staff regarding issues related to the developmental aspects of the hospitalized child, improving the clinical practice and skills, and team cohesiveness. Demonstrate high quality Child Life programming in a variety of health-related environments. Ability to assess high priority patients and customize care independently. Utilize exceptional communication skills.
• Orients and supervises volunteers and work study students to assure safe, developmentally appropriate and effective patient and family experiences. Completes annual volunteer evaluations.
• Updates posted information to assure timeliness of communication. Informs and encourages participation in planned events and activities when appropriate. Escorts patients safely to and from activities and events.
• Play an active role in developing, implementing, and evaluating changes on the units, within the Child Life Program, and within the Hospital.
• Participates in scheduled meetings with unit CLS, Director, child life assistant group, event coordinator, and other special interest group assignments and planning teams.

Associate's degree in Child Development, Child Care or related major or currently enrolled in a Bachelor's degree program in Child Development, Child Care or related major at the 3rd or 4th year level. 2 years of work experience with children and families required.
Licensure, Certifications, and Clearances:

• Act 33 with renewal
• UPMC is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)