Child Life Specialist - Multiple Openings + Bonus

Children's Nebraska•Omaha, NE

About The Position

Children's is hiring Child Life Specialists for multiple openings in Adaptive Care, as a Facility Dog Handler in the Behavioral Health & Wellness Center, and in Inpatient/Specialty Pediatric Clinic settings. The role provides therapeutic, educational, and recreational programs for patients, with developmentally appropriate activities that support growth and development and the psychosocial needs of patients and families during testing, treatment, or hospitalization. The Facility Dog Handler opportunity provides an animal-assisted therapy program addressing children's emotional, developmental, and social needs. The Child Life Specialist assesses patients' developmental and emotional states, provides medically accurate, developmentally appropriate education, advocates for patients and families, documents care, and collaborates with healthcare professionals. The role also supports therapeutic play, family involvement, education and outreach programs, school re-entry programs or support groups, and a safe learning environment for interns and practicum students. Responsibilities include maintaining a clean, safe, well-stocked play area, following infection control procedures, and keeping current with Child Life practices. A qualifying internship meeting Association of Child Life Specialists standards is required before hire; applicants in the final stages of internship are encouraged to apply. A clinical internship must include at least 600 hours under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. A bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field is required. Certification as a Child Life Specialist is required within two years, and Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association is required upon hire. The employer offers a $2,000 hiring bonus and relocation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or a related field.
Successful completion of an internship meeting Association of Child Life Specialists standards before hire.
Clinical internship of at least 600 hours under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
Certified Child Life Specialist credential required within two years.
Basic Life Support certification from the American Heart Association required upon hire.
Experience with healthy and hospitalized children, generally acquired through field experience and a qualifying Child Life internship.
Interpersonal skills to establish professional rapport with patients and families.
Assertiveness to advocate effectively for patients and families.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a hospital setting as a Child Life Specialist.

Responsibilities

Assess patients' developmental and emotional states using formal and informal techniques.
Use developmentally appropriate and medically accurate teaching aids and techniques to increase knowledge and support emotional needs.
Advocate for patients and families by sharing pertinent information with healthcare professionals and ancillary services.
Write concise, objective, accurate clinical notes in a timely manner.
Facilitate interaction among patients, siblings, and parents, and incorporate family involvement into care.
Use therapeutic play to help children gain mastery and cope with healthcare experiences.
Communicate with patients and families using knowledge of human growth and development, family systems, and cultural background.
Coordinate Child Life services with families and professionals and promote Child Life within the department or area.
Coordinate and participate in educational programs about Child Life Services, including new employee orientation.
Coordinate school re-entry programs, support groups, outreach programs, and pre-operative preparation education as needed.
Provide education to hospital and community groups when relevant, adapting teaching to verbal and nonverbal cues and individual learning needs.
Provide a safe learning environment for interns and practicum students and participate in the volunteer program.
Maintain play areas in a safe, orderly, child-friendly condition; clean and maintain toys using approved products and ensure toys are available for different ages and developmental levels.
Follow infection control and safety procedures and policies.
Incorporate Child Life trends and best practices into care and identify professional development resources and opportunities.
For the Facility Dog Handler opportunity, provide animal-assisted therapy that supports children's emotional, developmental, and social needs and encourages mastery, play, learning, and family and peer interaction.