Child Life Specialist Pediatric ED

Banner Health•Tucson, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This Child Life Specialist position will provide services to pediatric patients ages birth through 21 years of age and will cover our new state of the art pediatric ED which includes 22 dedicated beds consisting of our medical/surgical unit. You will be providing preparation, procedure support, education, sibling support, trauma, and bereavement support. This position offers the opportunity to work collaboratively on initiatives and expanding Child Life services with the multidisciplinary medical team as well as the Child Life Team. This position addresses the unique developmental needs of children from birth to 18 years of age, and their families, to reduce the stress accompanying hospitalization by providing child-friendly, family-centered care.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Child Life or related field
Completed Child Life internship supervised by a CCLS. As of January 1, 2019, the clinical internship requirement = 600 hours.
Professional Child Life Certification, or eligibility for Certification. Those without current Child Life Certification will be required to obtain Certification within one year of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification
Strong skills in the following areas: growth and development, play and activities, the learning process, coping, assessment, interventions to prevent emotional trauma, collaboration with other health professionals, and a basic understanding of children’s illnesses and medical terminology.
Proficient with commonly used office software.

Nice To Haves

Additional related education and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides opportunities for and facilitates a variety of play and activity forms, which promote self-healing, self-expression, understanding and mastery. Uses developmentally appropriate methods in preparing children and families for diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Extends support and offers counsel to family members, with respect to their own stress and needs. Supports family bonds and utilizes family strengths in the care of the child. Offers counsel specific to the impact of health care experience.
Provides consultation on the impact of environmental factors on the child’s adaptation to hospitalization and treatment. Utilizes stress reduction techniques to facilitate adaptive coping. Provides emotional support during identified stress points.
Provides child health care education. Provides or cooperates with programs, which assure continuity in the child’s normal life experience, e.g. school programs, personal and holiday celebrations.
Provides inter-disciplinary in-service on child development and the impact of illness, injury, and hospitalization on children and families.
Provides consultation to the health care team regarding the developmental status and individual needs of children to promote adaptation to treatment. Documents Child Life services in the patient’s care record, as well as program service statistics.
Although based in Pediatrics, incumbent may be assigned to serve in the Emergency Department, the Preioperataive Areas, or the Outpatient Treatment Center, in addition to general Pediatrics and Pediatric Intensive Care. Incumbent may also be called to consult in any area of the hospital where there are children. The position will serve one facility, but will consult with other facilities at any time in keeping with the purpose of the position. The internal customers served by this position are the patients and their families, as well as volunteers. The external customers are individuals and groups in the community who contact the department with requests, or offers of assistance.