Child Life Specialist
About The Position
The Child Life Specialist I is a key member of the pediatric healthcare team who works under general supervision in a healthcare setting to address the emotional and developmental needs of children and their families. The Specialist reduces stress associated with healthcare experiences and helps children and families cope through play, developmentally appropriate medical information, and encouragement of family involvement in the child’s care. The role collaborates with a multidisciplinary healthcare team and other professionals in ambulatory, emergency, and inpatient settings. The Specialist develops and provides individualized interventions, including family and sibling support, preparation and support for medical procedures, developmental and therapeutic play, diagnosis education, and grief support. The role also monitors children’s responses to hospitalization, communicates with families and staff, assesses developmental and psychosocial needs, documents services and care-plan changes, manages Child Life Program materials, and supervises volunteers and other program participants.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree.
- Must be eligible for CCLS certification or be a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS); ACLP (Association of Child Life Professionals) required.
- Basic Life Support (BLS/CPR) certification through the American Heart Association required.
- Knowledge of normal human growth and development and ability to provide clinical Child Life interventions to decrease medical trauma and stressors in a medical setting.
- Active listening, effective oral and written communication, critical thinking, customer service, planning and prioritization, interpersonal relationship building, and time management skills.
- Entry-level problem-solving ability and psychosocial support skills to assess children’s and families’ needs and implement appropriate interventions.
- Familiarity with technology platforms such as Apple products (iPad) and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Ability to develop objectives and strategies and think creatively.
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 that address the needs of children and families.
- Provide family-centered support to patients, families, and siblings, attending to individual, cultural, and social needs.
- Prepare children for medical procedures using expressive or medical play and other techniques to reduce stress and fear.
- Use developmental and therapeutic play to encourage expression, process difficult events, build coping skills, promote mastery and understanding, and reduce stress.
- Recognize developmental issues related to healthcare experiences.
- Explain diagnoses, injuries, illnesses, and death using developmentally appropriate language.
- Provide grief support, including memory-making and legacy-building items, education and resources for families, and facilitation of bedside visits.
- Monitor children’s reactions to hospitalization and share timely information with staff to support care.
- Consult with families and staff to promote clear communication and ensure the patient’s best interests are met.
- Educate others about Child Life services, healthcare’s impact 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 Assessment 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 or items, distraction items, and technology.
- Supervise volunteers and others participating in the Child Life Program.
Benefits
- Paid time off starting at 28 days per year, including vacation, personal/sick time, and seven holidays.
- 100% paid parental leave for up to six weeks.
- Immediate eligibility for retirement plans with employer contributions up to 9.5%.
- Medical, dental, and vision plans, plus employer-paid disability and life insurance.
- Well-being programs, including an on-site employee fitness center and the RESTORE Center.
- Free RTD EcoPass for public transportation.
- Childcare discount programs and discounts on brands, travel, and other offerings.
- Tuition reimbursement and assistance.
- Education, coaching, and professional development opportunities through the Workforce Development Center.
- Career advancement pathways, a professional clinical advancement program, and shared governance.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligibility, with free student loan coaching and assistance navigating the program.
- National Health Service Corps (NHCS) and Colorado Health Service Corps (CHSC) eligibility.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
