Child Life Specialist

Sanford Health•Fargo, ND

About The Position

Sanford Health is the largest rural health system in the United States and is dedicated to transforming the health care experience and providing access to world-class health care in America’s heartland. The Child Life Specialist provides psychosocial support, education, preparation, and therapeutic interventions for pediatric patients and families throughout the surgical and medical experience. The role collaborates with the perioperative team to reduce anxiety, promote positive coping, and enhance patient- and family-centered care in preoperative, operative, and recovery settings. The specialist assesses the developmental, emotional, psychosocial, and coping needs of pediatric patients and families undergoing surgical and medical procedures. Using evidence-based child life practices, the specialist helps reduce stress and anxiety associated with surgery, anesthesia, procedures, and hospitalization, while supporting positive coping and resiliency. The role requires expert knowledge of medical diagnoses and procedures, understanding of the needs of children with chronic or disabling conditions, expertise in play activities in health care settings, and in-depth knowledge of research regarding children in health care settings.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Child Life, Child Development, Human Development, or a related field.
Completion of a Child Life internship.
Certification as a Child Life Specialist (CCLS), or must obtain it within one year of hire.
Basic Life Support (BLS) certification required within six months of hire.
Expert knowledge of medical diagnoses and procedures.
Understanding of the special needs of children with chronic or disabling conditions.
Expertise in the use of play activities in a health care environment.
In-depth knowledge of research regarding children in health care settings.

Nice To Haves

Minimum two years of experience working with various age groups of children is preferred.
Experience working with the pediatric population in a therapeutic setting is desired.

Responsibilities

Assess developmental, emotional, psychosocial, and coping needs of pediatric patients and families undergoing surgical and medical procedures.
Use evidence-based child life practices to reduce stress and anxiety associated with surgery, anesthesia, procedures, and hospitalization.
Promote family-centered care and strengthen positive coping and resiliency skills within the health care setting.
Provide psychosocial support, education, preparation, and therapeutic interventions for pediatric patients and families throughout the surgical and medical experience.
Collaborate with the perioperative team to reduce anxiety, promote positive coping, and enhance patient- and family-centered care in preoperative, operative, and recovery settings.