Child Life Specialist - PRN - Satellite Locations
About The Position
The Child Life Specialist is a clinical expert in child development, emotional safety, and trauma-informed care. The specialist assesses and provides interventions to mitigate negative experiences in medical settings, while supporting patients’ and caregivers’ coping, emotional safety, and optimal development. The role provides leadership and expertise in applying child development principles to challenging medical experiences. The position is located at the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Westchester and works during the day. It is designated PRN. The specialist collaborates with patients, caregivers, interdisciplinary teams, and hospital staff to provide developmentally attuned psychosocial care, education, training, and quality improvement. The position also supports professional development, student supervision, and the adoption of programs, technology, equipment, systems, and resources that promote quality, safety, and efficiency.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with knowledge of child and adolescent development, typically acquired through study focused on child development, child and family development, or a related field.
- Current Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential from the Association of Child Life Professionals; may be acquired within 12 months of hire.
- Basic Life Support certification, required within 6 months of hire.
Nice To Haves
- 1–2 years of experience preferred.
- Spanish language abilities strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Integrate emotional safety into patient and family care through individualized, timely, effective, trauma-informed interventions and quality improvement projects.
- Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and caregivers and assess coping, temperament, adjustment, emotional support needs, and psychosocial wellbeing to inform interventions.
- Document interventions in the medical record based on clinical assessment and professional standards.
- Advocate for and address children’s and families’ psychosocial, developmental, spiritual, and cultural needs throughout care, using anti-bias practices and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary team members to address patient care goals and support broader systems and policy change.
- Participate in team conferences, rounds, staff meetings, new staff orientation, and in-service education as appropriate.
- Provide formal and informal training on the psychosocial care of children to patient care teams and hospital staff.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on unit-based, hospital-wide, and interdisciplinary committees, explaining the therapeutic and clinical work of child life staff.
- Assist with preparing and disseminating information about the hospital and Child Life Program to community groups, organizations, and news media.
- Pursue professional development through seminars, coursework, and hospital education programs to maintain credentials and support best practices.
- Participate in and lead quality improvement projects that integrate innovations and evidence-based practices into daily workflows.
- Participate in implementing improved programs, technology, equipment, systems, and resources that promote quality of care, safety, and efficiency.
- Supervise child life students.
- Perform other job functions as assigned.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Employer-paid group term life and disability insurance
- Employer contribution toward a Health Savings Account
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid holidays
- Paid parental leave
- 403(b) with a 5% employer match
- Supplemental life, AD&D, and disability coverage
- Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage
- Tuition assistance
- Student loan servicing and support
- Adoption benefits
- Backup childcare and eldercare
- Employee Assistance Program and specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members
- Discount on services at Lurie Children’s facilities
- Discount purchasing program
- Potential differentials for some hourly employees
- Potential leadership incentives for select roles
- Wellbeing programs
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Entry Level
