Child Life Specialist

MultiCare Health System•Tacoma, WA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist is responsible for providing educational, emotional and social support to patients, their families, and the community by conducting educational and recreational programs that minimize the psychological trauma for infants, children, and adolescents in the health care setting. Program goals are to provide positive, developmentally supportive experiences which assist patient in reducing fear and anxiety associated with hospitalization. Child life specialists provide ongoing opportunities for play, diversional activities, self-expression and interactions with other hospital children. This position requires strong organization skills, prioritization, good judgment, independent thinking, and decision making within the scope of the positions responsibilities. Internal contacts include patient care staff and management throughout the organization. External contacts include patients, families, physicians, and outside organizations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in child development, child life, or related field required
Child Life Specialist Certification within one year of hire
Clinical and/or internship experience (600 hours under Certified Child Life Specialist) required
Current BLS Certification required

Nice To Haves

Previous work experience with infants, children, and adolescents as well as a working knowledge of children and/or adolescents under stress preferred

Responsibilities

Providing educational, emotional and social support to patients, their families, and the community
Conducting educational and recreational programs that minimize the psychological trauma for infants, children, and adolescents in the health care setting
Providing positive, developmentally supportive experiences which assist patient in reducing fear and anxiety associated with hospitalization
Providing ongoing opportunities for play, diversional activities, self-expression and interactions with other hospital children