Child Life Specialist - PRN - Satellite Locations
About The Position
The Child Life Specialist is a clinical expert in child development, emotional safety, and trauma-informed care. The role assesses and intervenes to mitigate negative experiences in medical settings, supporting patients’ and caregivers’ coping, emotional safety, and optimal development. The specialist provides leadership and expertise in applying child development principles to challenging medical experiences. The position is based at the Ambulatory Surgery Center in Westchester and is listed as PRN. It includes clinical care, documentation, advocacy, collaboration with interdisciplinary teams, education and training, quality improvement, and professional development. The specialist also supervises child life students and supports implementation of programs, technology, equipment, systems, and resources that promote quality, safety, and efficiency.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree with knowledge of child and adolescent development, typically through a focus on child development, child and family development, or a related field.
- Current Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) credential from the Association of Child Life Professionals; may be acquired within 12 months of hire.
- Basic Life Support certification, to be obtained within 6 months of hire.
Nice To Haves
- 1–2 years of experience preferred.
- Spanish language abilities strongly preferred.
Responsibilities
- Integrate emotional safety into patient and family care through individualized, timely, effective, trauma-informed preparation, education, and support, including quality improvement projects.
- Develop therapeutic relationships with patients and caregivers and assess emotional support and coping needs, including coping style, temperament, and adjustment, to inform interventions.
- Document interventions in the medical record based on clinical assessment and professional standards.
- Advocate for and address the psychosocial, developmental, spiritual, and cultural needs of children and families throughout care, using anti-bias practices and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary team members to address patient care goals and contribute to broader systems and policy change.
- Participate in team conferences, rounds, staff meetings, new staff orientation, and in-service education as appropriate.
- Provide formal and informal training on the psychosocial care of children to patient care teams and hospital staff.
- Serve as a subject matter expert on unit-based and hospital-wide interdisciplinary committees, articulating the therapeutic and clinical nature of child life work.
- Assist in preparing and disseminating information about the hospital and Child Life Program to community groups, organizations, and news media.
- Pursue professional development through seminars, coursework, and hospital education programs to maintain credentials and support best practices.
- Participate in and lead quality improvement projects to integrate innovations and evidence-based best practices into workflows and promote emotionally safe care and optimal outcomes.
- Participate in implementation of improved programs, technology, equipment, systems, and resources that promote care quality, safety, and efficiency.
- Supervise child life students.
- Perform other job functions as assigned.
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees.
- Employer-paid group term life and disability coverage.
- Employer contribution toward a Health Savings Account.
- Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Paid Time Off (PTO), paid holidays, and paid parental leave.
- 403(b) plan with a 5% employer match.
- Voluntary supplemental life, AD&D, and disability coverage.
- Critical illness, accident, and hospital indemnity coverage.
- Tuition assistance.
- Student loan servicing and support.
- Adoption benefits.
- Backup childcare and eldercare.
- Employee Assistance Program and specialized behavioral health services and resources for employees and family members.
- Discounts on services at Lurie Children’s facilities.
- Discount purchasing program.
- Potential differentials for some hourly employees, leadership incentives for select roles, health and retirement benefits, and wellbeing programs.
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Mid Level
