Child Life Assistant

Banner Health • Tucson, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position helps to maintain a safe, healing environment for children. Assists in meeting the needs of children and families to reduce the stress accompanying hospitalization. Serves patients from birth to 18 years of age. The position requires skills and abilities typically gained through 1 year of experience in working with children. Must demonstrate responsibility, flexibility, and sensitivity to children. Basic Life Support (BLS) certification is a requirement of the job. Banner - University Medical Center Tucson is nationally recognized for providing exceptional patient care, teaching future health-care professionals and conducting groundbreaking research. Also located on the campus is Diamond Children's - recognized for its specialized pediatric services including neonatal and intensive care, emergency medicine and cancer therapies. Banner - University Medical Center Tucson is a Level 1 Trauma Center, meaning we care for the most critically injured patients. The hospital is consistently listed among the nation's top hospitals in the prestigious Best Hospitals ranking by U.S. News & World Report. The academic medical center has earned Magnet Recognition becoming the only hospital in southern Arizona to meet the rigorous standards of the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Magnet Recognition Program® for nursing excellence. The hospital's physicians are full-time faculty of the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Tucson. Our specialty services include comprehensive heart and cancer care, advanced neuroscience techniques and a multi-organ transplant program.

Requirements

• 1 year of experience in working with children
• Demonstrate responsibility, flexibility, and sensitivity to children
• Basic Life Support (BLS) certification

Nice To Haves

• Hospital pediatric experience
• Special education or experience working with developmentally disabled children
• A Bachelor's Degree in a related area

Responsibilities

• Trains and supervises volunteers, including university students who are completing volunteer hours as part of their course of study surrounding child development, pediatric nursing, etc. This function includes the orientation, supervision and recognition of volunteers of all ages and walks of life, to provide training specific to the needs of the hospitalized child, ensure a safe environment for pediatric patients, and effective use of volunteer time. Also encompasses networking with community groups and organizations to nurture relationships, and to draw volunteer talent in exchange for rewarding experience and education.
• Monitors and maintains safe, organized, and clean playroom, toys, and other materials used to provide activities for children. Includes following infection control policies and procedures to maintain regulatory standards, and teaching these procedures to volunteers. Knowledgeable about isolation practices and educates volunteers and visitors about these practices and the reasons for them.
• Assists in planning and conducting group activities in the playroom and individual activities in the patient's room. Activities must be tailored to the specific developmental needs of hospitalized children.
• Interacts with potential donor groups regarding the needs of hospitalized children, children’s medical center, and how they can help. Provides tours, receives donations, determines appropriateness and prepares for use. Professionally acknowledges all donations.
• Assists with detailed planning of events, hosts and monitors visits from entertainers, community groups, or others interested in helping our patients. Assists with the maintenance of patient confidentiality and safety throughout these visits. Provides education to community groups wishing to learn about the developmental needs of hospitalized patients.
• Provides assistance to nursing staff with high need patients. Assesses needs of hospitalized children, and communicates in a developmentally appropriate manner. Interactions with children and families reflect an understanding of growth and development, family centered care, and of the potential stress associated with illness, injury and the health care experience. Knowledgeable about available resources and provides assistance with coping through identification and use of these resources.
• Although based in pediatrics, incumbents may be called to serve in any area of the hospital where there are children, including emergency services areas, surgery and waiting areas for the adult units. The position will serve on facility. The internal customers are patients and their families and volunteers. External customers are individuals and groups in the community who contact the department with offers of assistance or requests.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree