Child Life Specialist - PRN

Denver Health and Hospital Authority • Denver, CO

2d

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist I is a key member of the pediatric healthcare team. Under general supervision in a healthcare setting, the Specialist focuses on the emotional and developmental needs of children and their families. The role reduces stress associated with healthcare experiences and helps children and families cope through play, developmentally appropriate explanations of medical information, and encouragement of family involvement in care. The Specialist collaborates with a multidisciplinary healthcare team and other professionals across ambulatory care, emergency care, and inpatient settings.

The Specialist develops and provides interventions for children and families, including family and sibling support, preparation for medical procedures, developmental and therapeutic play, education about diagnoses, and grief support. The role assesses developmental and psychosocial needs, communicates relevant information to staff and families, documents care, manages Child Life Program materials, and supervises program volunteers and participants.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Eligible for CCLS certification or Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) certification through the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP).
• Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification through the American Heart Association.
• Skills in active listening, oral and written communication, critical thinking, customer service, objective setting and strategy development, interpersonal relationships, work organization and prioritization, problem solving, psychosocial support, creative thinking, and time management.
• Intermediate knowledge of normal human growth and development and intermediate skill in clinical Child Life interventions to decrease medical trauma and stressors in a medical setting.
• Entry-level ability to systematically analyze problems, draw relevant conclusions, and devise appropriate courses of action.
• Entry-level skills in assessing the psychosocial needs of children and families and implementing interventions to mitigate psychological trauma and provide emotional safety.
• Familiarity with technology platforms such as Apple products (iPad) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint).

Nice To Haves

• Two years of experience as a Certified Child Life Specialist in a hospital setting is highly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop plans of care and interventions to address the needs of children and their families.
• Provide family-centered support that considers patients’ and families’ individual, cultural, and social needs, including developmentally appropriate education and support for siblings.
• Prepare children for medical procedures using expressive or medical play and other techniques to reduce stress and fear.
• Use normative and therapeutic play to support emotional expression, coping, mastery, and understanding of healthcare experiences, while recognizing developmental issues related to healthcare.
• Explain diagnoses, injuries, illnesses, or death using developmentally appropriate language.
• Provide grief support, including memory-making and legacy-building items, family education and resources, and facilitating bedside visits.
• Monitor children’s reactions to hospitalization and provide timely information to staff to supplement healthcare services.
• Consult with families and staff to support clear communication and ensure the patient’s best interests are met.
• Educate others about Child Life services, the impact of healthcare on development, developmentally appropriate and emotionally safe medical care, and professional boundaries.
• Assess patients’ developmental levels and provide interventions to enhance development.
• Complete Psychosocial Risk Assessments in Pediatrics to evaluate and mitigate pediatric medical traumatic stress.
• Document services in patient charts and update documentation as care plans change.
• Select and maintain Child Life Program materials, including developmental and normative toys, distraction items, and technology.
• Supervise volunteers and others participating in the Child Life Program.

Benefits

• Social Security replacement retirement plan with a 3% employer contribution.
• On-site employee fitness center and wellness classes.
• Community resource navigation support.
• Childcare discount programs.
• Discounts and perks on large brands, travel, and more.
• Tuition assistance and education and development opportunities, including career pathways and coaching.
• Career advancement pathways and professional development.
• Loan forgiveness eligibility and employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level