Certified Child Life Specialist- Child Life

Tampa General Hospital•Tampa, FL

About The Position

The Certified Child Life Specialist 1 supports comprehensive, developmentally informed care at Muma's Children Hospital and other Tampa General Hospital units and clinics. The role plans and implements therapeutic interventions addressing pediatric patients’ and families’ psychosocial, emotional, and developmental needs during hospitalization. Using foundational knowledge of child development and family systems, the specialist supports coping and resilience through evidence-based practices, including therapeutic play, procedural preparation, education, and emotional support. The specialist collaborates with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to integrate child life services into care plans and ensure that each child's cultural, emotional, and developmental needs are met. The role also serves as a clinical resource and advocate for best practices in pediatric psychosocial care, and performs duties in accordance with Tampa General Hospital’s mission, vision, and values.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Child Development, or Child Life-related courses endorsed by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
Completion of a 6,000-hour Child Life Internship.
Certified Child Life Specialist credential upon hire or within the first year of hire.
National Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Certification by SafeKids upon hire or within the first year of hire.
Helmet Safety Certification by SafeKids upon hire or within the first year of hire.
Entry-level knowledge of medical terminology and its implications for patients from birth through age 18.
Ability to facilitate family involvement and support adjustment to injury, illness, or hospitalization for patients from birth through age 18.
Ability to conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments, anticipate concerns, and develop individualized care plans with short- and long-term goals.
Ability to implement developmentally appropriate play, education, therapeutic play, and coping interventions, and evaluate and adapt them based on outcomes.
Ability to promote pain management and positive coping through preparation, distraction, and support.
Developmental knowledge of infants, toddlers, school-aged children, and adolescents, as well as knowledge of neurodivergence.
Knowledge of the theoretical foundations of Child Life Practice, including child development, play, stress and coping, family systems, and patient- and family-centered care.
Knowledge of trauma-informed care frameworks and their application in Child Life Practice at a Level 1 Trauma Program in a Children's Hospital within an Academic Medical Center.
Knowledge and clinical skills to serve patients in pediatric inpatient settings, including Medical Surgical, PICU, and OR, and outpatient settings, including Pediatric Day Hospital, Pediatric Dialysis, Pediatric ED, Pediatric Trauma Bay, Radiology, OR, and off-site ambulatory clinics.
Knowledge and skill in bereavement interventions, including memory making, Beats of Love, sibling support and visitation, family support in patient care areas, and patient care conferences.
Familiarity with disaster protocols and competent decision-making in complex and emergency situations at a Level 1 Trauma Center.
Ability to communicate through patient documentation, other written communication, and interpersonal communication.
Ability to provide procedure support, coping support, and diagnosis education across the listed children's hospital specialties, including Oncology, Hematology, Gastrointestinal, Nephrology, Neurology, Orthopedics, Level 1 Trauma, Ophthalmology, Pediatric Inpatient Rehabilitation, Endocrinology, Burn, Plastic, Dental, Dermatology, ENT, Gynecological, eating disorders, Behavioral Health, Pulmonology, and Radiation.
Ability to prioritize assigned activities and demonstrate time-management and organizational skills.
Ability to support adult consults related to bereavement, family support, and new diagnoses involving a child.
Ability to delegate appropriate assignments to Child Life technicians and volunteers.
Entry-level ability to identify and resolve problems while modeling accountability.

Responsibilities

Evaluate the effectiveness of child life interventions and adapt them based on results.
Participate in daily huddles, weekly departmental meetings, and multidisciplinary team processes, promoting respect, trust, cooperation, and family-centered care.
Document services and interventions, including assessments of the child's physical and psychosocial well-being, in the medical record.
Serve as a clinical resource and advocate for best practices in pediatric psychosocial care, contributing to improved patient and family outcomes through communication, documentation, and education.
Support and participate in process improvement and evidence-based practice initiatives.
Promote and educate on safe practices as a Child Safety Advocate, including car seat and helmet fittings.
Educate hospital staff on providing emotionally safe care to patients.
Orient and supervise volunteers and contribute to student learning through shadowing; eligible to have intern students after performing 4,000 hours as a CCLS.
Remain current in the field through continuing education and professional development.
Collaborate with Public Relations and the Foundation to facilitate donations.
Manage time effectively, balancing workload and patient priorities.
Maintain organized, safe, and professional work areas.
As needed, plan one annual Child Life event, such as Christmas Eve, Fall Festival, Halloween Parade, or Easter Egg Hunt.
As needed, participate in data collection, such as research data or program improvement.
As needed, provide community education.
As needed, participate in mass casualty drills.