Child Life Specialist McKay-Dee Hospital
About The Position
The Child Life Specialist works directly with pediatric patients, families, and health team members to facilitate age-appropriate interactions and activities that make the health care experience easier. The role reduces patient and family distress, promotes effective coping and patient independence, and supports optimal development. The specialist provides supervision to volunteers, child life pre-internship students, and child life assistants. This full-time position is based in the Child Life areas at Intermountain Health McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden, Utah. It works four 10-hour shifts per week, covering evenings and weekends in the Emergency Department while also supporting the hospital’s Pediatrics, Lab, ICU, NICU, and other units as needed. The specialist works with a team of three at McKay-Dee and is part of Intermountain Health’s broader child life department, which provides additional support and resources.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; the degree will be verified.
- Documentation of a successfully completed 600-hour internship supervised by a Child Life Specialist.
- Child Life Certification from the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) is required within 15 months of hire.
- Experience with pediatric patients in a medical, hospital, or behavioral health setting.
- Experience with Child Life Core Competencies, including supportive relationships; addressing the needs and development of children and family members; education and communication; coping support and comfort management; therapeutic play; and ongoing assessment and written documentation of clinical care.
- Computer experience with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, or similar applications.
Nice To Haves
- One year of experience with pediatric patients in a medical, hospital, or behavioral health setting.
- Work experience as a child life assistant.
- Experience as a child life pre-internship or practicum student.
- Experience supervising volunteers while working with children and adolescents.
- Spanish-speaking ability.
Responsibilities
- Assess, prioritize, and document pediatric patient and family care accurately.
- Develop, implement, and evaluate effective pediatric patient- and family-centered health care plans.
- Provide developmentally appropriate education, psychological procedural preparation, coping support, comfort management, and play opportunities for pediatric patients and families.
- Participate in the selection, supervision, and training of new hires, students, and volunteers.
- Provide education for staff, including in-services and newsletter articles.
- Assist with community outreach and Foundation partnerships.
- Adhere to the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) Child Life Code of Ethics and meet child life department expectations.
Benefits
- $3,000 sign-on bonus for new hires.
- Benefits package covering programs intended to support wellness and well-being.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
