Child Life Specialist

Mayo Clinic • Rochester, MN

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist promotes effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities. Provides emotional support for families and encourages optimum development of children facing a broad range of challenging experiences, particularly those related to healthcare and hospitalization. Provides information, support and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members. Plays a vital role in educating caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in child development, child life, child and family studies or related field.
• Completion of eligibility assessment by the Association for Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
• Successful completion of, at minimum, a 480-hour clinical child life internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• One year of recent work experience with children and families.
• Knowledge and experience to ensure understanding of the basic issues of infant/child/adolescent development and behavior.
• Analytical skills necessary to assess patient and family needs, to establish a plan of care and deliver appropriate interventions.
• Ability to represent and communicate the role of child life to others.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively across clinical settings.
• Ability to work as a contributing member of the multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Technical skills to effectively complete required professional documentation and correspondence.
• Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or granted acceptance to take next scheduled exam and attains certification within first year of employment.
• Maintains current Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers from one of the following programs: American Heart Association, American Red Cross, or the Military Network Training.

Nice To Haves

• One year of paid experience as a Child Life Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Promote effective coping through play, preparation, education, and self-expression activities.
• Provide emotional support for families.
• Encourage optimum development of children facing challenging experiences, particularly related to healthcare and hospitalization.
• Provide information, support, and guidance to parents, siblings, and other family members.
• Educate caregivers, administrators, and the general public about the needs of children under stress.
• Oversee Child Life program volunteers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level