Child Life Specialist

Sutter Health • San Francisco, CA

3d

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist assists pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) patients and families in coping with hospitalization and illness. The role plans and implements evidence-based therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions based on emotional and developmental needs, and develops programs and services for assigned clinical populations and the child life department. The specialist promotes and practices high-quality, family-centered care and services for patients and families.

This is a per diem/casual, non-exempt position with variable days, day/evening shifts, and weekend work as needed, approximately once a month. The posted pay range is $48.78 to $73.17 per hour. Starting pay may vary based on factors including experience, education, skills, licensure, certifications, departmental equity, training, and organizational needs. Eligible positions also include a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, Child Development, Psychology, or another area, with all coursework necessary for Clinical Child Life Certification completed.
• Successful completion of a Child Life internship meeting the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) requirement for Clinical Child Life Certification.
• Obtain Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) certification within one year.
• Basic Life Support (BLS) Healthcare Provider certification.
• Five years of recent relevant experience.
• Working knowledge of child growth and development, family dynamics, therapeutic play, developmental assessment, learning processes, group processes, and behavior management.
• Knowledge of children’s and families’ reactions to illness and healthcare encounters, interventions to support coping, collaboration with healthcare professionals, basic medical terminology, and children’s illnesses.
• Ability to apply child development knowledge and assess children’s behaviors and needs.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands independently and work in a self-directed manner in a changing environment.
• Interpersonal communication, organizational, and supervisory skills, including the ability to direct day-to-day activities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with children of all ages, families, and hospital staff, verbally and in writing.
• Ability to independently manage crisis and emergent situations.

Responsibilities

• Help pediatric and NICU patients and families cope with hospitalization and illness.
• Plan and implement evidence-based therapeutic, recreational, and diversion interventions tailored to emotional and developmental needs.
• Plan and implement programs and services that address the needs of assigned clinical populations and the child life department.
• Promote and provide high-quality, family-centered care and services.
• Implement therapeutic play activities for individual children and groups.
• Assess children’s development, behavior, and needs, and use appropriate coping strategies.
• Teach coping strategies and use appropriate supervisory skills with volunteers, students, and interns.
• Prioritize multiple demands independently in a self-directed manner in a changing environment.
• Direct day-to-day activities involving patients, families, students, volunteers, and interns.
• Communicate effectively with children of all ages, families, and hospital staff, verbally and in writing.
• Independently handle crisis and emergent situations.

Benefits

• Eligible positions include a comprehensive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level