PRN Child Life Specialist - Columbia, MO

Shift: PRN - variable shifts with some call and holiday coverage.

Work Arrangement:
On-Site

Department:
Child Life Services

Facility:
University Hospital - 1 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO

Compensation:
Base Pay Range: $25.00 per hour, flat rate.

MU Health Care is looking for a passionate and dedicated Child Life Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional skills in child and family development, with a keen ability to create individualized treatment plans that foster normal growth and development in hospitalized children. We seek someone with outstanding leadership and communication abilities, who can professionally articulate patient needs and collaborate effectively with our multidisciplinary team.

Your enthusiasm for using developmentally appropriate methods to prepare children and their families for medical procedures, along with your commitment to maintaining a safe, therapeutic play environment, will be highly valued. If you are proactive in your professional development, exhibit a positive attitude, and can inspire students and volunteers, we want you to be a part of our dynamic team.

MU Health Care is proud to be named one of Forbes' Best-in-State Employers seven years in a row, and that's largely a result of the incredible culture and team we've built. At MU Health Care, we have an inspired, hard-working and collaborative environment driven by our mission to save and improve lives. Here, we believe anything is possible and rally around solutions.

We celebrate innovation and offer opportunities to be a part of something bigger - to have a voice and role in the work that is serving our community and changing the field of medicine.

Our academic health system - the only in mid-Missouri - is home to seven hospitals, including the region's only Level 1 Trauma Center and region's only Children's Hospital, as well as over 90 specialty clinics. Here you can define your career among our many clinical and nonclinical positions - with growth, opportunity and support every step of the way.

Learn more about MU Health Care.

Learn more about living in mid-Missouri.

• Child & Family Development
  
  Skills:
  
  Develop individual treatment plans based on an assessment of the child's development, temperament, coping style, medical plan and available social supports. Provide interventions/activities that support the normal growth and development of the child. Practice family-centered care by encouraging, supporting and utilizing family bonds/strengths in the care of the child.
• Leadership/Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Communicates professionally regarding patient assessment and provision of child life services to child life team and multidisciplinary team. Effectively communicates issues/concerns and ideas to child life team and coordinator.
• Patient and Family Teaching/Distraction
  
  Skills:
  
  Use developmentally appropriate methods in preparing patients, sibling and family members for diagnostic and treatment procedures. Seeks out information from medical staff regarding the plan for patient procedures/diagnostic test. Follows Child Life Council standards of Clinical Practice. Provide education concerning child development, adjustment and reactions to hospitalization/diagnosis and role model appropriate parenting skills. Use developmentally appropriate distraction/coping methods during a child's identified stress points.
• Playroom / Activity Room Safety and Management:
  Monitor and maintain play / activity area, toys, supplies and equipment to provide safe, therapeutic environment and to meet all developmental needs. Abide by infection control policy regarding cleaning of equipment and playroom visiting guidelines. Provide a safe environment for…