Child Life Specialist, Child Life, Per Diem

UMass Memorial Health•Worcester, MA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Creates a welcoming, stress reducing environment in a variety of pediatric settings, including inpatient units, outpatient clinics, radiology, pediatric surgery, and the emergency department. Through the direct intervention strategies of pre-procedure and preoperative teaching, medical and therapeutic play, the Child Life Specialist provides psychosocially sound, family-centered support to children 0-21 years of age and their families. This position may have a signing bonus available; a member of the Recruitment Team will confirm eligibility during the interview process. At UMass Memorial Health, everyone is a caregiver – regardless of their title or responsibilities. Exceptional patient care, academic excellence and leading-edge research make UMass Memorial the premier health system of Central Massachusetts, and a place where we can help you build the career you deserve. We are more than 20,000 employees, working together as one health system in a relentless pursuit of healing for our patients, community and each other. And everyone, in their own unique way, plays an important part, every day. The Certified Child Life Specialist will assist in the implementation of UMMHC Kid’s Comfort Promise (KCP) programming and principles for pediatric patients ages birth-21 years. Through advocacy, education, creation of materials and direct patient care, this staff member will advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration and family centered care.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Child Life, Child Development or related field.
Must have current Child Life Certification or pass Child Life Certification Exam within one year of employment.
Incumbent must be enthusiastic and dedicated to providing quality Child Life services to children and families in a in a variety of health care settings.
Ability to demonstrate positive and effective interpersonal and communication skills required.
Must be a self-starter, flexible, and possess ability to work well independently.
Must be comfortable with public speaking and advocating for Kids Comfort Promise principles.

Nice To Haves

Unless certification, licensure or registration is required, an equivalent combination of education and experience which provides proficiency in the areas of responsibility listed in this description may be substituted for the above requirements.

Responsibilities

Assesses and interacts with patients and families using theories of human growth and development, family systems, and cultural background.
Creates a therapeutic, safe environment for individual patients or small groups on inpatient units, playrooms, clinic and emergency waiting areas, and in treatment rooms.
Facilitates the child/adolescent mastery of and coping with the healthcare experience through a variety of interventions, to include: divisional and recreational play, medical play, developmental/skill retention support and seasonal celebrations.
Provides emotional and educational support to patient and family coping with life-threatening, terminal illness or death.
In collaboration with the health care team on the various units served or through physician/R.N. consultation, creates individualized pre-procedure and pre-surgery preparation which is developmentally appropriate and best meets the child/adolescent learning style and emotional state.
Creates coping strategy with child/family and accompanies family to procedure/surgery.
Functions as a member of the interdisciplinary health care team, relaying pertinent patient assessments through direct report, charting, family care conferences and team meetings.
Provides consultation and direct teaching on variety of Child Life issues for parents, medical and nursing staff and students, including: normal growth and development, health care impact on coping and stress, and ameliorative interventions.
Facilitates acquisition of hospital or homebound tutor for child/adolescent experiencing extended school absence due to accident or chronic illness.
Participates in a variety of Children’s Medical Center, fundraising events and outreach programs.
Follows all safety and infections control guidelines in each setting, monitoring toys and materials for age-appropriateness and wear.
Maintains adequate level of toys and materials through review of inventory and timely acquisition of new items to ensure a safe, developmentally appropriate, and family-friendly environment.
Complies with established departmental policies, procedures and objectives.
Attends variety of meetings, conferences, seminars as required or directed.
Demonstrates use of Quality Improvement in daily operations.
Complies with all health and safety regulations and requirements.
Respects diverse views and approaches, demonstrates Standards of Respect, and contributes to creating and maintaining an environment of professionalism, tolerance, civility and acceptance toward all employees, patients and visitors.
Maintains, regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
Performs other similar and related duties as required or directed.
Assesses and develops individualized procedural support plans and supports patients during procedures such as blood draws, IV starts, immunizations, port accesses, etc.
Advocates, educates, and helps facilitate KCP principles such as comfort positioning, use of treatment room, numbing, distraction, and sucrose/breastfeeding.
Serves as an active member of the Kid’s Comfort Promise Initiative team attending all committee meetings and trainings.