Child Life Specialist Entry

Job Overview

The Child Life Specialist (CLS), Entry is an entry level position for uncertified Child Life Specialists. The CLS Entry works in health care and community settings to address the psychosocial, emotional, and family concerns that accompany the illness and injury of children, adolescents, and young adults. This CLS Entry utilizes developmentally appropriate information, procedure support, emotional processing, play, self‑expression, and empowerment to improve the coping and adjustment of patients and families.

The CLS Entry collaborates with the multidisciplinary healthcare and psychosocial teams to ensure that emotionally safe and family‑centered care is being provided. In addition, the CLS Entry assists in developing and maintaining resources and in planning and facilitating special events.

The Child Life team in Colorado Springs is an exceptional group of tenured CCLS who are looking to expand the team and scope of coverage. We are looking for child life specialists who desire a great team culture, are willing to develop programming, and want to grow their skills.

The team is looking for new grads and those with experience to contribute to the growth in Colorado Springs. We care for children with a variety of medical conditions, are a level 2 trauma center and provide outstanding emotional care to the whole family unit.

Job

Location:

Colorado Springs
Department Name: CSH Child Life
Job Status: full time, 40 hours/week

Shift: 4-10 hour days (1p-11p)
Coverage Schedule rotates every 6 months (Sun-Weds or Weds-Sat)
This position would serve as a primary Child Life Specialist in a dedicated 40 bed pediatric Emergency Department Level II Trauma center and provide Child Life Services inpatient on the weekends and during the evenings. Team members provide assigned rotating Holiday coverage. Adjustments to the schedule listed may be made and communicated in advance to the team member on as needed basis to support department needs/vacancies.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Counseling Psychology, Social Work, Education, or related fields.
• Experience:
  
  Successful completion of 600 hours of child life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Certification(s):
  Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) must be obtained within one (1) year of hire.

Population Specific Care

• Neonate – 30 days to 1yr
• Toddlers – >1yr to 3yrs
• Pre‑Schoolers – >3yrs to 5yrs
• School age – >5yrs to 13yrs
• Adolescent – >13yrs to 18yrs
• Adult – >18yrs to 65yrs

Essential Functions

• Under direct supervision, provides, develops, and implements child life services that provide basic support for end of life, new diagnosis, and traumatic experiences for patients and families.
• Helps patients, families and communities cope with the social, emotional and psychological impact of illness, injury and medical care.
• Provides effective and timely clinical services including, but not limited to, assessing the psychosocial risk level of patients.
• Consistently meets departmental productivity requirements.
• Assesses coping responses and the needs of children/adolescents and families related to healthcare experiences.
• Communicates appropriate information to members of the healthcare team to promote an understanding of the unique psychosocial/emotional needs of the child/adolescent and coordinate plan of care under direct supervision.
• Creates opportunities which strengthen the patient’s self‑esteem, independence, and understanding of the medical care and diagnosis.
• Demonstrates beginning skills in facilitating basic interventions which allow children/adolescents to express feelings, process difficult events, and explore positive coping skills.
• Practices and promotes patient/family‑centered care.
• Utilizes up‑to‑date and appropriate resources for patients, families and the community.
• Utilizes best practice and/or evidence‑based practice to ensure high level of care.
• Under direct supervision, provides education to healthcare staff, patients and families regarding the scope of child life services, the impact of health care on development, providing developmentally appropriate and…