PRN Child Life Specialist – Columbia, MO

University of Missouri Health Care•Columbia, MO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

MU Health Care is looking for a passionate and dedicated Child Life Specialist to join our team. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional skills in child and family development, with a keen ability to create individualized treatment plans that foster normal growth and development in hospitalized children. We seek someone with outstanding leadership and communication abilities, who can professionally articulate patient needs and collaborate effectively with our multidisciplinary team. Your enthusiasm for using developmentally appropriate methods to prepare children and their families for medical procedures, along with your commitment to maintaining a safe, therapeutic play environment, will be highly valued. If you are proactive in your professional development, exhibit a positive attitude, and can inspire students and volunteers, we want you to be a part of our dynamic team.

Requirements

Must be a Certified Child Life Specialist or eligible to be certified and will obtain within one year of hire.
If eligible, but not yet certified, must have a Bachelor’s degree and have completed a child life internship in accordance with the standards and guidelines set forth by the Child Life Council.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional skills in child and family development
Ability to create individualized treatment plans
Outstanding leadership and communication abilities
Ability to professionally articulate patient needs
Ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team
Enthusiasm for using developmentally appropriate methods to prepare children and their families for medical procedures
Commitment to maintaining a safe, therapeutic play environment
Proactive in professional development
Positive attitude
Ability to inspire students and volunteers

Responsibilities

Develop individual treatment plans based on an assessment of the child’s development, temperament, coping style, medical plan and available social supports.
Provide interventions/activities that support the normal growth and development of the child.
Practice family-centered care by encouraging, supporting and utilizing family bonds/strengths in the care of the child.
Communicates professionally regarding patient assessment and provision of child life services to child life team and multidisciplinary team.
Effectively communicates issues/concerns and ideas to child life team and coordinator.
Use developmentally appropriate methods in preparing patients, sibling and family members for diagnostic and treatment procedures.
Seeks out information from medical staff regarding the plan for patient procedures/diagnostic test.
Follows Child Life Council standards of Clinical Practice.
Provide education concerning child development, adjustment and reactions to hospitalization/diagnosis and role model appropriate parenting skills.
Use developmentally appropriate distraction/coping methods during a child’s identified stress points.
Monitor and maintain play / activity area, toys, supplies and equipment to provide safe, therapeutic environment and to meet all developmental needs.
Abide by infection control policy regarding cleaning of equipment and playroom visiting guidelines.
Provide a safe environment for patients by being aware of all children in the room and advocating the “safe place” policy.
Identifies self-learning needs and has a plan to meet them.
Presents self professionally in appearance, positive attitude and uses feedback to improve in areas needed.
Promotes professionalism, positive communication among child life team and staff members.
Recognizes the potential for legal/ethical/risk management issues.
Provide positive and professional supervision for child life practicum students, interns and volunteers.
Provide experiences and opportunities to help students meet the goals of the practicum and internship.
Provide therapeutic interventions and support during patient’s identified stress points.
Provide therapeutic interventions to promote self-healing, self-expression and understanding of master/control.
Identify and provide crisis intervention to patients and families.