Child Life Specialist (.7 FTE)

Gillette Children's•St Paul, MN

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a 0.7 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) position for a Child Life Specialist. The work schedule is Monday - Friday, with specific hours varying between 24 and 32 hours per pay period across two weeks. The role involves coverage in both outpatient and inpatient settings. The primary goals of the Child Life program are to reduce stress and anxiety related to medical events and to promote normal growth and development, ultimately helping children cope with their medical experiences and return home. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare fosters a culture of belonging and purpose, dedicated to an environment where all feel welcomed, respected, and supported. Their values emphasize acting with love, embracing the bigger picture, and collaborating with patients, families, and colleagues to help every child reach their full potential. Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare is an E-Verify employer.

Requirements

BS in Child Life, Child Development, Child Psychology or related field
Internship (professional) in Child Life Program
CL certification or certification eligible within one year of hire
Current CPR certification (BLS through American Heart Association) required, or must obtain certification within 90 days of hire.
Knowledge of child development & children’s coping mechanisms
Knowledge of family systems
Knowledge of the effects of hospitalization and healthcare at different developmental stages
Knowledge of basic medical terminology
Knowledge of preparation issues at different developmental levels and techniques to use to prepare and accompany children for procedures and healthcare experiences.
Experience with children and adolescents at all developmental levels and various abilities
Ability to build rapport with children and families
Ability to manage resources

Responsibilities

Conducts assessments of normal growth and development and emotional reactions of children to the healthcare setting.
Gathers information for interventions.
Shares information with appropriate team members.
Documents in patient’s medical chart within 24 hours of intervention.
Provides appropriate interventions to facilitate adjustment to the healthcare setting.
Provides developmentally appropriate play, medical play, active listening, advocacy for a non-threatening environment.
Prepares for procedures, provides support during procedures, and emotional support to patient and families.
Serves as a resource to staff by providing information on topics such as normalization, growth & development, reactions to healthcare, coping and therapeutic play.
Participates in interdisciplinary meetings to communicate information, identifies needs and coordinates service delivery.
Respects and uses expertise of other team members and accepts fair share of work load.
Supports the family and patient by providing focused patient/family care.
Supports the family as having the central role in the child’s life.
Interacts with families in ways that show sensitivity and respect for diverse family styles, cultural values and belief systems.
Supports sibling’s adjustment and coping in the healthcare environment by providing preparation, education, and diversional activities.
Available as a resource to families re: topics such as normalization, growth and development, reactions to healthcare, coping and therapeutic play.
Applies knowledge of growth and development in provision of play resources and in conveying information to staff.
May also be asked to complete administrative tasks, such as triaging referrals or consults, serving as a team member’s proxy in the EHR, onboarding new employees, responding to departmental phone calls or faxes, or working on efforts toward process or practice improvement.
If the discipline has a practicum student, intern, or fellow, the employee may be asked to help oversee, supervise, or otherwise contribute toward that individual’s work.