Certified Child Life Specialist

Hurley Medical Center•Flint, MI

20h•Onsite

About The Position

This position will assist in the implementation of the Child and Family Life Program as Hurley Children’s Hospital reintroduces Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) services to their patients and families. Looking for a self-motivated CCLS who is interested in the opportunity to execute Child Life assessments and interventions as outlined by the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) across multiple populations. Eagerness to provide direct patient care and good time-management are required. The CCLS will share responsibility in supporting pediatric patients and families as they adjust to illness or injury with the goal of minimizing trauma in the healthcare setting. In this position the CCLS will assess the developmental, psychosocial, emotional, and cultural needs of patients and their families. The CCLS will provide developmentally appropriate procedure preparation and support, education, non-pharmacological pain management, therapeutic play, and at times, legacy and bereavement support in an equitable and caring manner. Management of volunteers, supervision of interns, interdisciplinary education, programming, and activities in partnership with Children’s Miracle Network and The Hurley Foundation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Elementary Education, Child Development, Special Education, Psychology, or a directly related field.
Must have completed a 600-hour Child Life Internship under the supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Certified as Child Life Specialist by Child Life Council within 6 months of hire date. Failure to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire shall result in termination of employment.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of the development of children and adolescents, specifically their social, emotional, and physical needs.
Sound judgment in difficult or sensitive situations
Compliance of HIPAA and patient confidentiality.
Sufficient strength to lift children.
Ability to use positions of comfort to ensure patient’s safety and success when appropriate.
Ability to stand, sit and walk for long periods of time.
Ability to reach with hands and arms.
Ability to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
Ability to solve practical problems.
Ability to apply intermediate mathematical skills.
Ability to provide effective coordination for staff, volunteers, and students.
Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written modes.
Ability to interact successfully and work harmoniously with the public, medical staff, employees, and external agencies.

Responsibilities

Prioritize patient needs based on clinical assessment of development, coping, and stress potential of pediatric patients.
Assists in providing developmentally appropriate preparation/education for hospitalized children and their families regarding medical tests, procedures, and surgery.
Provides direct patient and family support during medical experiences to aid in decreasing medical trauma, including but not limited to: line placement/removal, dressing changes, laceration repair, anesthesia induction, medical tests, imaging, and life-altering diagnoses.
Attends interdisciplinary meetings to communicate and collaborate with team members for best patient outcomes.
Advocate for patient and family-centered care through communication, involvement, partnership with and empowerment of patients and family members.
Documentation of intervention and goals required for all direct patient interactions; Flowsheet and narrative-style documentation to be completed in EMR (EPIC) within 24 hours of patient interaction. Collection of ACLP data required on a weekly basis.
Assists in orientation and direction of volunteers, CLA’s, and interns assigned to department or service.
Meets regularly with the Child and Family Life Director for evaluation, direction, support, and overall program planning.
Maintains expertise, knowledge of current career developments, and Child Life certification through the ACLP through appropriate educational/organizational/association activities. Utilizes knowledge gained to develop recommendations for department policy/procedure modifications.
Adheres to and embraces all standards set forth by the ACLP with direct focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Participates in hospital committees related to care of pediatric patients. Attends committee meetings in absence of the departmental director.
Participates in quality assessment and continuous quality improvement activities.
Demonstrates effective judgment and ability to understand, react competently, and treat (if appropriate) the unique needs of the patient population and age groups served.
Performs other related duties as required in a courteous and customer-focused manner according to the Hurley Family Standards of Behavior.
Utilizes new improvements and/or technology that relates to job assignment.
Complies with all appropriate safety and infection control standards
Acts in accordance with all hospital and departmental policies and complies with all regulatory, accreditation standards, and job/department specific competencies.