Child Life Specialist

Company Description

At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, we know world-renowned care begins with world-class caring. That's why we combine advanced technologies and breakthrough discoveries with family-centered care. It's why we provide our caregivers with continuing education and state-of-the-art facilities, like the newly remodeled Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford. And it's why we need caring, committed people on our team - like you.

Join us on our mission to heal humanity, one child and family at a time.

This is a Fixed Term position.

This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.

The Child Life Specialist works under the supervision of leadership and the child life team to assist the child/family in their adjustment to the hospital, diagnosis, and treatment plan. This is an entry level Children Life Specialist role with entry level experience and knowledge of procedures, illnesses, injuries and other related events on the unit. The individual will require training and ongoing support and/or supervision for more advanced procedures or events.

Uses basic understanding of child life theories to perform daily job responsibilities while working closely with Child Life Specialists II and/or Child Life Specialist III to develop skills. Provides pre/post procedural teachings, emotional/psychosocial support, developmentally appropriate play activities, distraction and support during procedures, and age appropriate medical play to enhance understanding of the hospital environment. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to create and support individualized plans of care while adhering to the professional standards of practice of the Association of Child Life Professionals.

• Assesses and interacts with patients and families using theories of Child Life, child development, family systems and cultural background. Provides appropriate care based on the needs of the specific individual, including age.
• Provides competent child life services to patients and family members, including developmentally-appropriate therapeutic activities, education, procedural preparation, coping facilitation, and support as it relates to their illness and medical treatment. Utilizes a clinical decision-making process and critical thinking to effectively deliver patient care.
• Establishes family-centered plan of care with patient/family input and prioritizes the delivery of patient/family care
• Assists the patient/family in their adjustment to the hospital, diagnosis, and/or treatment plan.
• Establishes and maintains a healthy, balanced, and therapeutic relationship with the patient and family.
• Assesses, individualizes, and evaluates plan of care based on family/patient physical, developmental, emotional, and recreational needs requiring occasional guidance, while applying the theoretical knowledge base of child development.
• Provides developmentally appropriate medical play, for individual and small group support.
• Identifies patient/family learning needs, readiness to learn and choices. Meets patient/family needs by using appropriate internal/external educational resources. Recognizes and respects consequences of patient/family decisions.
• Identifies any barriers to teaching (such as cognitive ability, linguistic or sensory deficits).
• Interacts in a cooperative manner within the healthcare team to support and contribute to the care goals. Professionally communicates plan to multidisciplinary team members and family.
• Collaborates with patients, families, volunteers and multidisciplinary team members to provide optimal care and services.
• Participates in team meetings and/or discussions regarding patient care and/or practice issues.
• Demonstrates compliance with patient care documentation standards, providing support to newer staff regarding documentation practices as needed.
• Supports a productive work environment for students once the minimum standard of hours is achieved as set forth by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
• Interviews, orients, trains, supervises and evaluates child life students and volunteers.
• Maintains positive interpersonal…