Child Life Specialist

Job Title

Under general supervision, contributes to a positive hospital experience by providing psychosocial support for pediatric patients and their families to promote optimal cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of the patient and family during a hospital stay.

Under general supervision, contributes to a positive hospital experience by providing psychosocial support for pediatric patients and their families to promote optimal cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of the patient and family during a hospital stay. Assess needs of children and their families taking into consideration each child's family, culture and stage of development. Provide children and their families with a variety of developmental, therapeutic and educational opportunities in order to minimize stress and anxiety, and to provide support to patient/family during hospitalization or challenging events.

Reports to Manager of Child & Family Support Services.

Assessment & Planning:

• Assess the coping responses and needs of assigned patients/families to their healthcare experience; plan and coordinate appropriate developmental, therapeutic and educational opportunities for the patient and family during the hospital stay, taking into consideration the individuality of each child's family, culture and stage of development; develop and implement activities, resources and programs to meet patient/family needs.

Therapeutic Interventions:

• Minimize stress and anxiety for patient by providing developmentally appropriate opportunities (in activity rooms and at bedside) that encourage expression of feelings and promote a sense of mastery and understanding of health care experiences. Maintain appropriate supply of therapeutic materials.
• Prepare children and families for and provide support during tests, surgeries or other medical procedures through education, tours, rehearsal and coping skills development. Promote and support parental role.

Essential Life Experience:

• Provide essential life experiences for children to foster continued growth and development during their hospital stay; organize play activities, materials and other experiences at bedside and/or in activity rooms; coordinate special events in recognition of significant and familiar experiences (e.g. birthdays, holidays, and other family observances); participate in development and implementation of activities with individuals/community groups involved in interacting with children and their families.

Health Care Team:

• Effectively communicate observations, assessments and recommendations for care to other members of healthcare team (through verbal and written channels); accurately documents care, and services provided following established policies and procedures. Advocate for patient and family needs; and activate appropriate services/referrals.
• Assists in the maintenance of a safe and therapeutic patient care environment. As assigned, participates in quality improvement activities.
• Actively participates on inter-disciplinary teams and committees.

Education/Collaboration with Community:

• Develop and maintain own knowledge and understanding of the medical conditions and healthcare experiences of specific patient populations.
• Develop resources and provide education for medical center staff; may develop and provide education and resources for community providers regarding developmental needs of children.
• Orient, supervise and provide input into the evaluation of Child Life students, interns and hospital volunteers.
• Participate in continual professional development.

Bereavement Support:

• Provide age-appropriate emotional support and education, in collaboration with the health care team, for parents and families surrounding…