Certified Child Life Specialist, Child Life, Full Time, Days

Prisma Health•Greenville, SC

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides optimal developmentally and psychosocially appropriate care for pediatric patients and families. Assesses children's developmental and coping needs and delivers therapeutic interventions—including play, medical play, psychological preparation, and rehearsed coping—to reduce distress related to the healthcare environment and foster resiliency. Collaborates with an interdisciplinary healthcare team to develop and administer individualized plans of care. The role delivers Child Life services tailored to patients' developmental and emotional needs, supports patients and families through diagnoses, treatments, and hospitalization, and contributes to family-centered care. It also includes accurate documentation, participation in care conferences, and guidance for volunteers and students. The specialist maintains clinical competency, pursues professional development, contributes to departmental operations and goals, and supports cost-effective programming and fundraising efforts.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field.
Completion or near-completion of a Child Life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist and following ACLP standards.
Must obtain Child Life Certification within one year of employment.
Strong knowledge of infant, child, and adolescent growth and development.
Demonstrated experience working with infants, children, and adolescents in healthcare or related settings.
Excellent organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a positive, team-oriented environment.
Goal-oriented, able to set priorities and achieve results while maintaining high professional standards.

Responsibilities

Deliver Child Life services, including therapeutic play, education, procedural preparation, and coping support tailored to each patient's developmental and emotional needs.
Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate individualized care plans that promote growth, development, and psychosocial well-being.
Use developmentally appropriate, medically accurate information to prepare children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures and reduce fear, pain, and anxiety.
Facilitate medical play to help children explore and express feelings and gain mastery over their hospital experience.
Collaborate with patients, families, and the interdisciplinary team to develop and integrate family-centered goals of care.
Educate patients and families about diagnoses, treatments, and the impact of hospitalization to minimize trauma and developmental disruption.
Provide culturally sensitive emotional support while respecting individual values and beliefs.
Maintain accurate and timely patient care documentation in accordance with hospital policies.
Participate in care conferences and interdisciplinary team meetings and contribute to treatment planning.
Train, guide, and provide feedback to volunteers and students involved in Child Life services.
Demonstrate clinical competency in direct patient care and meet the core Child Life competencies established by ACLP.
Pursue professional growth through mentorship, continuing education, and other learning opportunities.
Participate in in-service training and continuing education, and share relevant knowledge with the department through in-services or presentations.
Support cost-effective programming, follow budget guidelines, and support fundraising through donor engagement.
Participate in departmental projects, initiatives, and committees.
Collaborate with team members to achieve departmental goals and performance targets.
Perform other duties as assigned.