Child Life Specialist - Per Diem - Days - JDCH

Memorial Healthcare System • Miramar, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist helps infants, children, youth, and families cope with the stress and uncertainty of illness, medical procedures, and hospitalization. The role provides direct patient care through developmentally appropriate therapeutic play, education, preparation, and support, and collaborates with the healthcare team to address pediatric patients’ social, emotional, and developmental needs during illness and hospitalization.

The position requires critical thinking, decisive judgment, minimal supervision, and the ability to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action. A bachelor’s degree in Child Life, child development, psychology, or a related field is required, as is completion of a 600-hour internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist. If the degree is not in Child Life, the candidate must have completed the specified college or university coursework. One year of related work experience is required; one year of experience working in a Child Life Program is preferred. An accepted BLS credential is required.

This is a per-diem, day-shift position in Hollywood, Florida. The work includes the physical activities and environmental exposures described in the posting, including bending, lifting, pushing and pulling, patient contact, and exposure to biological hazards and other workplace hazards.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Child Life, child development, psychology, or a related field.
• Completion of a 600-hour internship under the direct supervision of a Certified Child Life Specialist.
• One year of work experience in a related field.
• If the degree is not in Child Life, completion of a child life course taught by a Certified Child Life Specialist; at least two child development courses covering birth through age 18; a family systems course; a play course; a loss/bereavement or death/dying course; a research course; and three additional courses in related content areas.
• A qualifying BLS credential from the American Heart Association, including an accepted BLS e-card, RQI e-card, non-e-card certification, grace-period credential, or Red Cross certification.
• Critical thinking skills, decisive judgment, and ability to work with minimal supervision in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Nice To Haves

• One year of experience working in a Child Life Program.

Responsibilities

• Implement therapeutic play to facilitate healing, coping, mastery, self-expression, creativity, achievement, and learning.
• Support patients through difficult tests and procedures and through changes associated with chronic or acute illness, treatment, and recovery.
• Develop and/or participate in outreach and educational activities for families, staff, and the community about issues and services related to ill and hospitalized children.
• Perform developmental and psychosocial assessments of patients.
• Collaborate with the healthcare team to plan appropriate interventions and provide education to patients and caregivers.
• Help reduce patient stress and anxiety and build and maintain positive relationships with patients, families, and organizations or groups that support pediatric patients and programs.
• Orient, train, and supervise child life students and volunteers.
• Promote parents and other family members as full partners on the healthcare team and promote patient- and family-centered care.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Mid Level