Child Life Specialist - ED Clear Lake (1p - 11p, Monday - Thursday)

UnitedHealth Group•Webster, TX

127d•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Life Specialist provides evidence-based, developmentally appropriate interventions including therapeutic play, preparation, and education to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain for children and youth. This role supports families of chronically ill and hospitalized children by assessing and prioritizing patient/family needs for child life intervention, supporting coping with healthcare experiences, and providing opportunities for play and recreation that promote development and self-expression. The specialist evaluates patients' emotional, social, mental, and physical condition, supports family-centered care, and provides education regarding illness, treatment, and coping techniques. They function as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, integrating goals for optimal patient care that is family-centered, developmentally appropriate, and psychosocially sound. Responsibilities include planning, implementing, and documenting treatment plans, maintaining equipment and supplies, planning and implementing additional Child Life activities, interfacing with donors and community groups, orienting and supervising volunteers, and providing education and in-service training. The role requires participation in professional development and adherence to the Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) Core Competencies and Professional Standards of Practice. Marginal functions may include program development and leadership, including direct oversight, coordination, and management of the Child Life Program, planning and development of programs to enhance the pediatric experience, designing programs to help children cope with hospitalization, and identification and advocacy for necessary program resources. This may also involve participation in the budget process, business planning, community outreach, communication with vendors, and developing constructive approaches to problem identification and solutions.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Child Development, Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Early Childhood Education, Recreational Therapy, or related field.
Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) or ability to obtain within one year of hire
Ability to interact with seriously ill children of all developmental levels, their siblings, parents and other extended family members.
Ability to assess situations with patients and families as they relate to specific needs for Child Life intervention (medical play, coping skills, etc.).
Ability to function well in multidisciplinary team settings.
Understanding of growth & development, family dynamics, learning theory, medical play, therapeutic play and activity programming.

Nice To Haves

480 internship hours and certification or be eligible to sit for the exam
Master’s degree in Child Development, Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Early Childhood Education, Recreational Therapy, or related field.
One (1) to three (3) years of experience in a healthcare setting.

Responsibilities

Commitments to Child Life philosophies, policies and guidelines in supporting and planning programs for families of chronically ill and hospitalized children.
Assess and prioritize patient/family needs for child life intervention.
Support patients and family members in coping with the stresses associated with the health care experience.
Provide opportunities for and facilitate a variety of group and individual play recreation and activities that promote development, self-expression, and mastery.
Evaluate emotional, social, mental and physical condition of referred patients utilizing therapeutic interventions and assessments.
Support family-centered care through communication and involvement of parents and other family members.
Provide education regarding illness/condition, treatment, and coping techniques to patients, family members, and the larger community as appropriate.
Function and consult as a member of the interdisciplinary healthcare team, integrating goals and plans to promote optimal patient care that is family-centered, developmentally appropriate, and psychosocially sound.
Plan, implement and document treatment plans/outcomes for patients.
Maintain equipment and supplies.
Plan and implement additional Child Life activities e.g. special events, patient/family workshops.
Interface with donors, community groups and others vital to the continued growth of Child Life and UTMB Health System programs and visions.
Orient and supervise volunteers.
Provide education and in-service training regarding Child Life Services to patients, families, medical staff of various disciplines, and students.
Participate in professional development to enhance job performance and contribute to the accomplishment of Child Life department and UTMB hospital missions and goals.
Commitment to team planning, problem solving and collaborative efforts. Strong interpersonal communication and listening skills.
Adheres to Association of Child Life Professionals (ACLP) Core Competencies and Professional Standards of Practice.
Provides direct oversight, coordination, and management of the Child Life Program.
Planning and development of programs to enhance the pediatric experience.
Designs programs and directs activities to help children cope with hospitalization, reduce anxiety about treatment, and foster academic development according the Association of Child Life Professionals.
Identification and advocacy to provide necessary program resources.
Participation in the budget process and business planning, as needed, to ensure program continuity and funding.
Community outreach demonstrating program leadership with clinics, local pediatric institutions, and educational programs as indicated.
Communication with vendors, community groups, and donors to facilitate products (books, toys, educational needs, etc.) for UTMB pediatric patients.
Develops and implements constructive approaches to problem identification and solutions.
Performs related duties as required.