Child Life Specialist 1/2
About The Position
The Child Life Specialist position is focused in the Emergency Department. The Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) builds a sustainable, developmentally supportive, family-centered program focused on the unique neurodevelopmental needs of premature infants. The specialist develops services incorporating education, play, and sensory regulation techniques; supports caregiver bonding and healthy attachments; and provides interventions addressing medical trauma, long-term hospitalization, and uncertain outcomes. The role also coordinates programming and special events for pediatric patients and families in Child Life Services programming spaces, provides orientation and supervision for interns and volunteers, and assists with training and orientation of new hires. The position works under the supervision of the Child Life Director. At UCSF Benioff Children's Hospitals, Child Life Services specialists and creative arts therapists help children, youths, and families have positive health care experiences. The department helps families prepare children for procedures and hospital stays and supports them in coping with those experiences. Its team includes certified child life specialists, music therapists, art therapists, educators, and parent liaisons trained in child and family development and the needs of children, teens, and families in the hospital. Through support, play, and education, the team collaborates with parents and other caregivers to create a friendly and comfortable medical environment for each child.
Requirements
- For CLS I: Bachelor's degree in Education, Child Life, Child Development, or a related field.
- For CLS I: Child Life internship under the supervision of a certified Child Life Specialist, comprising 600 hours.
- For CLS I: Proof of eligibility for Child Life certification; certification is preferred and must be obtained within 18 months of hire.
- For CLS II: Master's degree in Education, Child Life, Child Development, or a related field, or five years of experience.
- For CLS II: Child Life certification.
- For CLS II: At least two years of paid experience as a Child Life Specialist.
- Complete the applicable CLS I or CLS II competencies within six months of hire. CLS I competencies include environment of care and programming; child development and family systems assessment; age-specific interventions; preparation for medical treatments and procedures; procedural support and coping; therapeutic play; documentation and charting; and volunteer supervision. CLS II competencies include all CLS I competencies plus student internship supervision, end-of-life care, cultural awareness, professionalism, special needs, and new employee orientation.
Nice To Haves
- For CLS I: Master's degree in Education, Child Life, Child Development, or a related field preferred.
- For CLS I: Child Life certification preferred.
- For CLS I: One year of paid experience preferred but not required.
Responsibilities
- Develop psychosocial assessments and formulate diagnoses and treatment plans based on evaluations of past, present, and predicted future psychosocial and interpersonal functioning.
- Implement child life interventions using therapeutic techniques based on competencies of the clinical ladder.
- Document developmental assessments, interventions, and care plans in the medical record according to departmental policies.
- Oversee therapeutic environments, programming, and volunteer supervision.
- Recognize patient and family diversity and develop sensitive interventions that foster appreciation and respect for differences.
- Practice according to child life philosophy, including family-centered care, cultural sensitivity, and developmental sensitivity.
- Communicate professionally with colleagues, patients, families, and community members, and evaluate and respond to feedback.
- Conduct community outreach.
- Provide consultation to health team members on related psychosocial factors.
- Write a component of the annual report and support statistics and research as discussed with the coordinator.
- Manage an administrative area, which may include donations, special visits, volunteers, or the pet therapy program.
- Participate in at least two multidisciplinary committees.
- Present approximately five in-services per year, internally or externally, on child life-related topics.
- Serve as the primary supervisor for student interns for at least one semester per year.
- Take responsibility for professional development and practice, as well as compliance with medical center-wide policies and procedures.
- Support caregiver bonding and healthy attachments, and provide interventions addressing medical trauma, long-term hospitalization, and uncertain outcomes.
- Coordinate programming and special events for pediatric patients and families in Child Life Services programming spaces.
- Provide orientation and supervision for Child Life Services interns and volunteers.
- Assist in training and orienting new hires.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
