Certified Child Life Specialist-Full-Time

Erlanger Health System • Chattanooga, TN

9d

About The Position

The Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) at Children’s Hospital at Erlanger plans and provides therapeutic activities and psychosocial and developmental care for pediatric and adolescent patients and their families. The role aims to minimize stress and anxiety and maximize positive coping throughout the healthcare experience, in cooperation with the multidisciplinary team.

The CCLS provides expert psychosocial support by conducting comprehensive assessments, delivering emotional and developmental support, facilitating therapeutic medical play, and advocating for patient and family needs. The specialist collaborates with the multidisciplinary team and communicates relevant observations to support coordinated care and improve patient and family experiences.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Child Life, Child Development, or a related field.
• Internship and/or work experience in a hospital setting focused on the psychosocial needs of hospitalized children and their families.
• Child Life Certification, or certification from the Child Life Certification Commission (CLCC) within 9 months of exam eligibility.
• Ability to provide comprehensive psychosocial care appropriate to patients’ ages and developmental levels.
• Strong assessment skills, including the ability to reevaluate and prioritize care based on patient and family needs.
• Proficiency in providing therapeutic play opportunities and diversions to reduce stress and improve the hospitalization experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Compassionate and empathetic approach to patient and family interactions.
• Flexibility and adaptability in managing changing patient and family needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive psychosocial evaluations of patients and families to identify strengths, concerns, and needs.
• Develop and implement individualized short- and long-term goals based on assessment findings.
• Provide emotional, social, and developmental support to patients and families throughout illness, injury, end-of-life, and bereavement.
• Address psychosocial challenges related to patients’ medical conditions to enhance quality of care.
• Facilitate medical play and preparation sessions to help patients and families understand medical procedures and develop coping strategies.
• Use play therapeutically to reduce anxiety and improve the medical experience.
• Identify and advocate for patient and family needs within the healthcare system.
• Reassess intervention effectiveness regularly and adjust strategies to meet evolving needs.
• Provide engaging, therapeutic activities suited to patients’ ages and developmental stages to support cognitive and emotional growth.
• Participate proactively and effectively as a member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Share relevant patient observations and insights with healthcare professionals to facilitate coordinated, comprehensive care.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time