Certified Child Life Specialist 1

Tampa General Hospital•Tampa, FL

About The Position

The Certified Child Life Specialist 1 (CCLS 1) supports the delivery of comprehensive, developmentally informed care within the Muma's Children Hospital and other TGH units/clinics. Responsible for planning and implementing therapeutic interventions that address the psychosocial, emotional, and developmental needs of pediatric patients and their families during hospitalization. Utilizing foundational knowledge of child development and family systems, the CCLS 1 facilitates coping and resilience through evidence-based practices such as therapeutic play, procedural preparation, education, and emotional support. Collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and allied health professionals, to integrate child life services into the overall care plan, ensuring that each child’s cultural, emotional, and developmental needs are met. Responsible for performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of Tampa General Hospital.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life related courses endorsed by Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) or related field
Certified Child Life Specialist (upon hire or within 1st year of hire)
National Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Certification (upon hire or within 1st year of hire) by SafeKids, or Helmet Safety Certification (upon hire or within 1st year of hire) by SafeKids
Completion of 6,000 Hour Child Life Internship
Entry-level knowledge of medical terminology and its implications for birth to age 18.
Proficiency in facilitating family involvement and supporting adjustment to injury, illness, or hospitalization for birth to age 18.
Ability to conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments; anticipate concerns and develop individualized care plans, including short- and long-term goals for birth to age 18.
Ability to implement developmentally-appropriate play, education, therapeutic play and coping interventions; evaluate and adapt based on outcomes for birth to age 18.
Ability to promote pain management and positive coping through preparation, distraction, and support for birth to age 18.
Developmental knowledge of infants, toddlers, school-aged and adolescent children, in addition to knowledge of neurodivergence.
Knowledge of theoretical foundations of Child Life Practice (child development, play, stress and coping, family systems, patient- and family-centered care).
Knowledge of trauma-informed care framework and application in Child Life Practice at a Level 1 Trauma Program at a Children’s Hospital within an Academic Medical Center.
Appropriate knowledge and clinical skills to serve patients in various settings of the Children’s Hospital; including Inpatient units: Pediatric Medical Surgical Unit, PICU and OR, as well as the Outpatient units: Pediatric Day Hospital, Pediatric Dialysis, Pediatric ED, Pediatric Trauma Bay, Radiology, OR and other off-site ambulatory clinics at a Children's Hospital within an Academic Medical Center.
Knowledge and skill in bereavement interventions (Example: memory making, including Beats of Love, sibling support and visitation, family support in patient care areas, as well as patient care conferences).

Responsibilities

Planning and implementing therapeutic interventions that address the psychosocial, emotional, and developmental needs of pediatric patients and their families during hospitalization.
Facilitating coping and resilience through evidence-based practices such as therapeutic play, procedural preparation, education, and emotional support.
Collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, including physicians, nurses, social workers, and allied health professionals, to integrate child life services into the overall care plan.
Ensuring that each child’s cultural, emotional, and developmental needs are met.
Performing job duties in accordance with mission, vision, and values of Tampa General Hospital.
Implementing developmentally-appropriate play, education, therapeutic play and coping interventions.
Evaluating and adapting interventions based on outcomes.
Promoting pain management and positive coping through preparation, distraction, and support.
Serving patients in various settings including Inpatient units (Pediatric Medical Surgical Unit, PICU and OR), Outpatient units (Pediatric Day Hospital, Pediatric Dialysis, Pediatric ED, Pediatric Trauma Bay, Radiology, OR and other off-site ambulatory clinics).
Performing bereavement interventions (Example: memory making, including Beats of Love, sibling support and visitation, family support in patient care areas, as well as patient care conferences).