Certified Child Life Specialist

Banner Health•Glendale, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Certified Child Life Specialist addresses the developmental needs of children from birth to age 18 and their families, reducing the stress of hospitalization through child-friendly, family-centered care. The role provides support to children and families during cancer care and collaborates with oncology patient navigators, social workers, providers, and foundations to support comprehensive care. The specialist may also support child life services in other departments as needed. The position is based in Pediatrics and may include assignments in the Emergency Department, preoperative areas, the Outpatient Treatment Center, general Pediatrics, and Pediatric Intensive Care. The specialist may be asked to consult anywhere in the hospital where children are present and may consult with other facilities. Internal customers include patients, families, and volunteers; external customers include community individuals and groups contacting the department.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Child Life or a related field.
Completed Child Life internship supervised by a Certified Child Life Specialist; as of January 1, 2019, the clinical internship requirement is 600 hours.
Professional Child Life Certification or eligibility for certification; those without current certification must obtain it within one year of hire.
Current Child Life Certification is required for BSS applicants.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Strong skills in growth and development, play and activities, learning processes, coping, assessment, interventions to prevent emotional trauma, and collaboration with other health professionals.
Basic understanding of children’s illnesses and medical terminology.
Proficiency with commonly used office software.

Nice To Haves

Additional related education and/or experience.

Responsibilities

Facilitate play and activities that promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding, and mastery.
Prepare children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures using developmentally appropriate methods.
Support and counsel family members regarding stress, needs, and the impact of health care experiences.
Support family bonds and use family strengths in the care of the child.
Consult on environmental factors affecting a child’s adaptation to hospitalization and treatment; use stress-reduction techniques and provide emotional support during identified stress points.
Provide child health care education and support programs that promote continuity in children’s normal life experiences, including school programs and personal or holiday celebrations.
Provide interdisciplinary in-service education about child development and the effects of illness, injury, and hospitalization on children and families.
Advise the health care team about children’s developmental status and individual needs to promote adaptation to treatment.
Document Child Life services in patient care records and maintain program service statistics.
Collaborate with oncology patient navigators, social workers, providers, and foundations, and support child life specialists in other departments when needed.