Child Life Specialist - Full Time - Sioux Falls

Sanford Health•Sioux Falls, SD

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Sanford Health, the largest rural health system in the United States, is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. The Child Life Specialist will develop, coordinate, and implement the delivery of developmentally appropriate play activities, expressive arts, and special events for pediatric patients and their families within the health care setting, both at the bedside and in playroom settings. This role serves as the child's advocate when collaborating with the healthcare team to determine suitable therapeutic interventions. The specialist will utilize expert knowledge of child development, family systems theories, and the developmental effects of stress and trauma on children to establish appropriate interventions to alleviate distress. They will promote family-centered care and facilitate the strengthening of positive coping and resiliency skills within the healthcare setting, while also providing ongoing assessment of interventions used and oversight for the utilization of volunteers in the Child Life department. The position requires expert knowledge of medical diagnosis and procedures, and an understanding of the special needs of children with chronic or disabling conditions, with expertise in the use of play activities in a health care environment and in-depth knowledge of research regarding children in health care settings.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Human Development, or related field required.
Completion of Child Life internship required.
Certification as a Child Life Specialist (CCLS) is required or must be obtained within one year of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

Minimum two years experience working with various age groups of children is preferred.
Experience working with pediatric population in a therapeutic setting desired.

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate and implement the delivery of developmentally appropriate play activities, expressive arts, and special events for pediatric patients and their families within the health care setting, both at the bedside and in playroom settings.
Serves as the child's advocate when collaborating with the healthcare team to determine suitable therapeutic interventions.
Utilizes expert knowledge of child development, family systems theories, and the developmental effects of stress and trauma on children to establish appropriate interventions to alleviate distress.
Promotes family-centered care and facilitates the strengthening of positive coping and resiliency skills within the healthcare setting.
Provides ongoing assessment of interventions used.
Provides oversight and direction for utilization of volunteers in Child Life department.
Possesses expert knowledge of medical diagnosis and procedures.
Understands special needs of children with chronic or disabling conditions, with expertise in the use of play activities in a health care environment and in-depth knowledge of research regarding children in health care settings.