Child Life Specialist-Lead

University of Mississippi Medical Center • Jackson, MS

13d • Onsite

About The Position

Provides expert child life services by helping reduce the stress and anxiety in children in a hospital setting and provides a variety of emotional, psycho-social, recreational, and health related educational needs. Acts as a resource to other child life staff. Assists child life staff in the development, implementation, and evaluation of child life services. Maintains quality standards in child life services. Delegates when appropriate. Consults with medical and other health care staff regarding patient care. Functions as a lead child life specialist to the unit and/or team.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• two (2) years working as a Child Life Specialist
• one of those years must be in a hospital setting
• Certification in Child Life from the Child Life Council
• maintain active membership in the organization
• Knowledge of child cognitive, social, and skills development methods and techniques.
• Interpersonal skills to effectively interact with patients, family members, and staff.
• Ability to provide a supportive and caring environment for children, families, and staff.
• Ability to alleviate stress and anxiety in children.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree

Responsibilities

• Supervises and performs the coaching, training, and education of child life specialists, child life assistants and recreational therapists.
• Supervises overall management of playrooms, activity rooms, and classrooms.
• Fosters positive and professional interpersonal relationships with patient/families, hospital staff, community representatives, and visitors.
• Supports families during hospital stay or challenging events.
• Participate in patient/family teaching about hospital and/or procedures.
• Participate in professional development by attending workshops, reading professional journals and networking with coworkers.
• Ensures child life is using evidenced based practice.
• Provides in-services for department/unit staff and child life staff.
• Supervises therapeutic and diversional play.
• Assesses and proficiently prioritizes patient needs through chart review, collaboration with staff and co-workers, and personal contact with patients and family members.
• Prepares children for and assists children during medical tests and procedures through education, rehearsal, and coping skill practice.
• Maintains knowledge and mastery of child life theory and best practices.
• Ability to quickly build report with patients/families of diverse populations.
• Advocates for patients and families in the medical setting.

What This Job Offers

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