Child Life Specialist

Sutter Health•Sacramento, CA

1d•$86,216 - $129,334•Onsite

About The Position

Assists Pediatric patients and families to cope with hospitalization and illness through planning and implementation of evidence-based therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions based on their emotional and development needs. Plans and implements programs and services to meet the needs identified for assigned clinical populations and the child life department. Promotes and practices the delivery of high quality family-centered care and services for patients and families.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or another area with all necessary coursework for Clinical Child Life Certification completed.
Successful completion of Child Life Internship that meets the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) requirement of Clinical Child Life Certification.
5 years recent relevant experience.
Working knowledge of child growth and development, family dynamics, therapeutic play, developmental assessment, the learning process, group process and behavior management, the reactions of children and their families to illness and healthcare encounters, interventions to support coping, collaboration with other healthcare professionals, basic medical terminology and children's illnesses.
Ability to implement therapeutic play activities for individual children and groups.
Ability to apply knowledge of child growth and development.
Ability to assess children's behaviors and needs.
Interpersonal communication skills.
Interpersonal and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) within 1 year.
Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification.

Responsibilities

Planning and implementation of evidence-based therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions based on emotional and developmental needs of pediatric patients and families.
Planning and implementation of programs and services to meet identified needs for assigned clinical populations and the child life department.
Promotion and practice of high-quality family-centered care and services for patients and families.
Utilize and teach coping strategies.
Utilize appropriate supervisory skills with volunteers, students, and interns.
Prioritize multiple demands independently and in a self-directed manner in an ever-changing environment.
Direct the day-to-day activities of patients, their families, students, volunteers, and interns.
Effectively communicate with children of all ages, families, and hospital staff, both verbally and in writing.
Independently handle crisis and emergent situations.