Child Life Specialist

Sutter Health•San Francisco, CA

19d•$49 - $73•Onsite

About The Position

Assists pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients and families in coping with hospitalization and illness through evidence-based therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions tailored to emotional and developmental needs. Plans and implements programs and services for assigned clinical populations and the child life department. Promotes and practices high-quality, family-centered care for patients and families.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or another area with all coursework necessary for Clinical Child Life Certification completed.
Successful completion of a Child Life Internship meeting the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) requirement for Clinical Child Life Certification.
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within one year.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification.
Five years of recent relevant experience.
Working knowledge of child growth and development, family dynamics, therapeutic play, developmental assessment, learning and group processes, behavior management, children's and families' reactions to illness and healthcare encounters, coping interventions, collaboration with healthcare professionals, basic medical terminology, and children's illnesses.
Ability to implement therapeutic play activities, apply child development knowledge, and assess children's behaviors and needs.
Ability to use and teach coping strategies and provide appropriate supervision to volunteers, students, and interns.
Ability to prioritize multiple demands independently and work in a self-directed manner in a changing environment.
Interpersonal communication skills and ability to direct day-to-day activities of patients, families, students, volunteers, and interns.
Ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, with children of all ages, families, and hospital staff.
Interpersonal and organizational skills and ability to independently manage crisis and emergent situations.

Responsibilities

Support pediatric and NICU patients and families in coping with hospitalization and illness.
Plan and implement evidence-based therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions based on emotional and developmental needs.
Plan and implement programs and services for assigned clinical populations and the child life department.
Promote and practice high-quality, family-centered care.
Implement therapeutic play activities for individual children and groups.
Assess children's behaviors and needs and apply knowledge of child growth and development.
Use and teach coping strategies.
Direct day-to-day activities of patients, families, students, volunteers, and interns.
Prioritize multiple demands independently in a self-directed manner.
Handle crisis and emergent situations independently.