Job Title: Recreation Assistant
Location: Toms River 94 Stevens (TR94)
Department Name: Recreational Therapy
Req #: 0000270267
Status: Hourly
Shift: Day
Pay Range: $19.87 - $19.87 per hour
Pay Transparency:
The above reflects the anticipated hourly wage range for this position if hired to work in New Jersey.
The compensation offered to the candidate selected for the position will depend on several factors, including the candidate's educational background, skills and professional experience.
Recreation Assistant – Children's Specialized Hospital, RWJBarnabas Health
At Children's Specialized Hospital, part of RWJBarnabas Health, the Recreation Assistant plays an important role in supporting the emotional well-being, engagement, and quality of life of children and patients with special healthcare needs. Under the supervision of a Child Life Specialist or Recreational Therapist, this position helps plan and implement diversional recreation activities tailored to patients' developmental levels, abilities, and individual needs. The Recreation Assistant also supports therapy groups, special events, and community outings while maintaining safe, clean, and organized program areas. Working closely with patients, families, therapists, nursing staff, and volunteers, the Recreation Assistant contributes to a supportive and engaging environment that promotes participation, meaningful experiences, and high-quality, family-centered care.
A typical day for a Recreation Assistant may include:
- Planning and implementing diversional recreation activities and opportunities for patients of varying ages, developmental levels, abilities, and diagnoses to support engagement, well-being, and quality of life
- Assisting Child Life Specialists and Recreational Therapists with the planning and implementation of therapy groups, special events, and community outings
- Applying knowledge of patient development, diagnoses, and functional abilities to support appropriate activity selection and participation
- Observing and evaluating patients' overall levels of functioning to help determine appropriate recreational activities and necessary adaptations
- Adapting activities, materials, and environments to accommodate a variety of disabilities, individual needs, and abilities
- Maintaining a safe environment for patient care and recreational activities across therapy areas, nursing units, and community settings
- Cleaning and disinfecting departmental equipment and organizing closets and program areas according to established competency expectations, timelines, and hospital procedures
- Monitoring and maintaining inventory of general supplies and equipment, identifying departmental needs, and ordering supplies accurately and in a timely manner
- Communicating effectively with patients, families, therapists, nursing staff, and other members of the healthcare team to support coordinated care and positive patient experiences
- Orienting and supervising assigned volunteers and community groups in accordance with hospital policies and procedures
- Completing required documentation on the day of service when working in long-term care (LTC) programs
- Demonstrating initiative, sound judgment, enthusiasm, and flexibility when responding to changing departmental needs and patient care priorities
- Performing additional duties as assigned to support departmental operations and the delivery of quality patient care
This role might be for you if:
- You enjoy working with children and individuals with special healthcare needs and helping them participate in meaningful, engaging recreational activities
- You understand that patients have different developmental levels, diagnoses, abilities, and needs, and you enjoy adapting activities to support their participation
- You bring enthusiasm, creativity, initiative, and sound judgment to planning and implementing recreational activities
- You are comfortable working with children who may exhibit challenging behaviors and can approach different situations with patience, flexibility, and professionalism
- You communicate effectively and enjoy collaborating with patients, families, therapists, nursing staff, and volunteers
- You take pride in maintaining clean, organized, and well-stocked program areas and ensuring equipment and supplies are ready for use
- You recognize the importance of patient safety and follow established hospital policies and procedures
- You are adaptable and willing to adjust your schedule as needed to meet patient and departmental needs
- You are physically able to meet the demands of the role, including lifting and therapeutic handling of patients as required
To be considered for this Recreation Assistant opportunity:
- Higher education preferred
- Previous experience working with children required, ideally with children with special needs
- Experience working with challenging behaviors preferred
- Ability to plan, implement, and adapt recreational activities to accommodate a variety of disabilities, functional abilities, and individual needs
- American Heart Association BLS Provider certification required
- Valid driver's license required
- Flexibility with scheduled hours required to meet patient and departmental needs
- Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work collaboratively with patients, families, therapists, nursing staff, and volunteers
