Child Life Specialist, Assoc

UPMC • Harrisburg, PA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

UPMC is seeking a Child Life Specialist, Assoc to support the Child Life Department at UPMC Harrisburg. The ideal candidate will have experience across multiple hospital settings and previous experience is preferred. Applicants must have completed a Child Life Internship to qualify for the position. The role is responsible for providing developmentally appropriate education, preparation, and programming that optimizes the growth and development of children, supports and maintains normal living patterns, and minimizes psychosocial trauma associated with healthcare experiences. The specialist possesses a theoretical knowledge base of normal child development and the psychosocial effects of hospitalization and illness on children and families, and demonstrates competence in clinical skills, problem-solving, and priority setting.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Child and Family Studies, Psychology or a related health care major.
• Completion of a 600-hour Child Life Internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• Cert Child Life Counsel Certification required within 1 year of hire.
• CPR required based on AHA standards that include both a didactic and skills demonstration component within 30 days of hire.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) OR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Act 31 Child Abuse Reporting with renewal
• Act 33 with renewal
• Act 34 with renewal
• Act 73 FBI Clearance with renewal

Nice To Haves

• Experience across multiple hospital settings.
• Previous experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support, direct and assess the performances of the Child Life Assistants.
• Be active in the training and supervision of students and volunteers.
• Communicate developmentally appropriate explanations regarding medical encounters to patients and families.
• Assist patients and parents in understanding the issues of hospitalization and illness through preparation and post-procedural debriefing.
• Provide emotional support to patients during medical procedures through stress point coping techniques.
• Collect, assess and record information regarding the patient and/or family to identify developmental level and psychosocial needs.
• Develop, update and implement individualized child life plans for priority patients.
• Document in the electronic chart in compliance with the child life policy and standards.
• Maintain an environment which is safe, supportive and developmentally based.
• Provide therapeutic activities for supervised individuals and patient groups, which encourage expression of feelings and promote a sense of mastery and understanding of health care experiences.
• Discuss death, bereavement, loss and related issues with patients, siblings and families, when appropriate.
• Cooperatively communicate patient needs and normal child development issues with health care staff through documentation, rounds, patient care conferences and meetings.
• Refer patients and families to appropriate services and supporting programs as needed.
• Advocate for Patient and Family Centered Care.
• Establish rapport and orient the patient and family to the hospital environment.
• Support the child's relationship with parents, siblings and peers.
• Help the patient and family make the transition from home to hospital and from hospital to home.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level