Child Life Specialist

Job Description - Child Life Specialist (250002F6)

Child Life Specialist - ( 250002F6 )

Providestherapeuticservicesandplayactivitiestopromotethephysical,emotional anddevelopmentalgrowthofpatientsandminimizepotential stress and trauma for patients and families.

• Bachelor's Degree Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Required)
• Master's Degree Master's degree in Child Life, Child Development or related field. (Preferred)
• Completion of Child Life Internship (minimum 600 hours) and all internship prerequisites including, but not limited to volunteer hours and Child Life Practicum. (Required)
• Candidate must be certified or eligible for Child Life Certification. Candidate must pass certification exam within 6 months of hire. (Required)

• Knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development based on the theories of development, including but not limited to Piaget, Erikson, Bowlby, and Vygotsky
• Knowledge of age-appropriate play and ability to utilize play as a mechanism for patient-understanding of the hospital environment and experiences
• Ability to assess patient’s development and response to hospital environment and provide developmentally appropriate interventions
• Ability to discuss medical experiences in age-appropriate, child-friendly language
• Understanding of basic human anatomy and physiology and knowledge of medical terminology
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple tasks simultaneously, utilizing critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Ability to comfortably work with internal and external customers from diverse social, cultural and educational backgrounds
• Ability to identify and work collaboratively with diverse teams
• Ability to listen, be empathetic, motivate and follow-through, and eager to seize challenges and resolve issues

• Assesses patients’ development, temperament, coping style, and adjustment using knowledge of child development and behavior, disease/injury, treatment, healthcare stressors, cultural and family systems
• Uses knowledge and resources to create developmental plan and implement appropriate child life and interdisciplinary interventions
• Provides therapeutic interactions and activities which offer emotional support, opportunities for continued growth and development, and diversion from the hospital experience
• Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of group and/or individual recreational and play activities that promote normalization, development, learning, self-expression, and coping
• Uses preparation and medical play opportunities to help alleviate misconceptions and increase understanding of hospital procedures
• Provides procedural support to patients in order to foster increased coping skills and evaluates effectiveness of interventions to better inform and individualize future support
• Provides education and support to siblings and parents related to hospital visits, effects of hospitalization, procedures, new diagnoses, etc.
• Prioritizes own caseload daily in order to meet both child and departmental needs
• Participates in the weekday, weekend, and on-call rotation, as assigned
• Regularly maintains patient care documentation in accordance with standards
• Fosters environment for patients and families to feel heard and understood, anticipates patient and family needs, and ensures needs are met
• Collaborates with child life team and other professionals to provide activities, special visitors, events, and entertainment to patients and families hospital-wide
• Encourages and coordinates patients’ and families’ participation in activities and special events to support normalization and coping
• Supports and chaperones special visitors to assigned areas of hospital
• Assists child life team, assigned area of hospital, or department with intake and distribution of donations of toys and other comforting items

• Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare team in order to provide optimal care and advocate for developmentally-appropriate patient and family needs
• Uses formal and informal methods of communication to share assessments,…