Child Life Specialist

Stanford Medicine Children's Health•Palo Alto, CA

2d•$37 - $46•Onsite

About The Position

This Child Life Specialist position will work with our Adolescents and Young Adults (AYA) in Oncology/Hematology, providing specialized psychosocial and developmental support to patients aged 12–25 with cancer. This role spans Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford (LPCH) and Stanford Hospital (Adult), offering targeted interventions to meet the unique needs of AYAs in both care environments. The role works collaboratively with all the care teams to ensure developmentally appropriate care for AYAs, regardless of their hospital setting. This position emphasizes advocacy, education, coping support, and programming designed specifically for the AYA population. The Child Life Specialist works under the supervision of leadership and the child life team to assist the child/family in their adjustment to the hospital, diagnosis, and treatment plan. This is an entry level Child Life Specialist role with entry level experience and knowledge of procedures, illnesses, injuries and other related events on the unit. The individual will require training and ongoing support and/or supervision for more advanced procedures or events. Uses basic understanding of child life theories to perform daily job responsibilities while working closely with Child Life Specialists II and/or Child Life Specialist III to develop skills. Provides pre/post procedural teachings, emotional/psychosocial support, developmentally appropriate play activities, distraction and support during procedures, and age appropriate medical play to enhance understanding of the hospital environment. Collaborates with the multidisciplinary team to create and support individualized plans of care while adhering to the professional standards of practice of the Association of Child Life Professionals.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development or a directly related field in the Behavioral Sciences or Human Development.
Successful completion of Child Life Internship that meets the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) requirement of Clinical Child Life Certification.
Basic Life Support by American Heart Association (AHA) or RQI Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support
Certified Child Life Specialist by Association of Child Life Professionals within 365 days of hire
Demonstrates good organizational skills and effective communication skills, flexibility, and a proven understanding of child development.
Demonstrates ability to work well with children of all ages.
Demonstrates ability to be a team member across multiple professional disciplines.
Demonstrates ability to work independently and a willingness to learn hospital routines, policies and procedures.
Demonstrates understanding and ability to show respect and appreciation for others and their uniqueness; remaining curious and appreciating cultural differences.

Responsibilities

Assesses and interacts with patients and families using theories of Child Life, child development, family systems and cultural background. Provides appropriate care based on the needs of the specific individual, including age.
Provides competent child life services to patients and family members, including developmentally-appropriate therapeutic activities, education, procedural preparation, coping facilitation, and support as it relates to their illness and medical treatment. Utilizes a clinical decision-making process and critical thinking to effectively deliver patient care.
Establishes family-centered plan of care with patient/family input and prioritizes he delivery of patient/family care
Assists the patient/family in their adjustment to the hospital, diagnosis, and/or treatment plan.
Establishes and maintains a healthy, balanced, and therapeutic relationship with the patient and family.
Assesses, individualizes, and evaluates plan of care based on family/patient physical, developmental, emotional, and recreational needs requiring occasional guidance, while applying the theoretical knowledge base of child development.
Provides developmentally appropriate medical play, for individual and small group support.
Identifies patient/family learning needs, readiness to learn and choices. Meets patient/family needs by using appropriate internal/external educational resources. Recognizes and respects consequences of patient/family decisions.
Identifies any barriers to teaching (such as cognitive ability, linguistic or sensory deficits).
Interacts in a cooperative manner within the healthcare team to support and contribute to the care goals. Professionally communicates plan to multidisciplinary team members and family.
Collaborates with patients, families, volunteers and multidisciplinary team members to provide optimal care and services.
Participates in team meetings and/or discussions regarding patient care and/or practice issues.
Demonstrates compliance with patient care documentation standards, providing support to newer staff regarding documentation practices as needed.
Supports a productive work environment for students once the minimum standard of hours is achieved as set forth by the Association of Child Life Professionals.
Interviews, orients, trains, supervises and evaluates child life students and volunteers.
Maintains positive interpersonal relationships with fellow employees, patients, families, and the public.
Effectively and efficiently balances the clinical responsibilities, professional growth, and development opportunities through active participation in the Child Life Clinical Advancement Ladder.
Provides ideas/topics for research and performance improvement studies. Participates in data collection.
Performs other work related duties, as assigned.