Child Life Specialist; FTE

Job Description Child Life Specialist - HMC

Under general supervision from the nursing team, a Child Life Specialist works with patients, families, and a multidisciplinary team to facilitate age-appropriate interactions, increase effective patient/family coping, promote optimal development of hospitalized children and the children of hospitalized adults. Collaborates with other disciplines as appropriate to coordinate continuity of patient care from admission to discharge. A child life specialist will also work across the hospital setting to consult with staff working with pediatric patients to enhance the pediatric experience of care at Harborview.

Under general direction, this position provides Child Life Services to inpatients using specialized skills, including assessment, treatment program planning and implementation, as prescribed by a physician and related documentation. This position will assist with pediatric program development and outreach. This position will also provide consultative support to staff in the ED and outpatient clinics as able.

Demonstrate working knowledge of disease process, precautions, typical medical treatment and diagnostic procedures, functional abilities, complications, and implications of long-term deficits related to primary diagnoses. Demonstrates advanced knowledge of the developmental stages and their effects on hospitalizations. Demonstrate proficiency in the evaluation and assessments of patients ages 0‑18 years (and adults with developmental delays placing them at a developmental age between 0‑18) with a variety of complex and multiple medical issues.

Create care plans based on admit diagnosis and medical issues impacting stay, assessment of the child’s current developmental stage, temperament, coping style, culture, spirituality, potential stressors, patient and family needs, and social supports. Provide a diverse, well‑rounded, goal directed treatment program to meet patient’s psychosocial and developmental needs. Demonstrates competence in providing developmental, educational, and therapeutic interventions for children, adolescents, and their families under stress of hospitalization, illness, death and/or loss.

Serves as a resource to other disciplines in the developmental needs of pediatric and adolescent populations; attends patient care rounds including pediatric and burn rounds regularly. Documents evaluation, intervention, strategies for treatment and recommendations for other team members in online medical records. Communicate interventions to care team members with emphasis on goals, progress, and discharge planning. Participates in selected department activities/projects to promote delivery of quality care to the pediatric population.

Provides education and training to other care team members. Monitors supplies and requests supplies when needed. Maintains professional growth and development through conferences, seminars, and professional affiliations as appropriate. Assists with training of volunteers. Provides objective feedback on peer evaluations Practices UW Service Culture Guidelines. Contributes to the efficient operation of clinic and/or workgroup. Helps create a positive work environment by demonstrating teamwork, flexibility, and service‑oriented communication with patients and co‑workers.

Complies with agency and division standards, protocols, procedures. Articulates and integrates safety policies and procedures into daily practice. May orient, train or supervise Child Life Specialist students Organizes work, appropriately prioritizes caseload and sets daily priorities under general direction. Other Duties as assigned.

Able to deal courteously and sensitively with patients, families, and caregivers. Able to communicate professionally with patients, families, caregivers, and staff. Models all standards outlined in Service Culture Guideline and Professional Image policy. Promotes a healthy work environment.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certifications. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the…