Child Life Specialist Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Must be a Certified Child Life Specialist or eligible to be certified and will obtain within one year of hire.
• If eligible, but not yet certified, must have a Bachelor’s degree and have completed a child life internship in accordance with the standards and guidelines set forth by the Child Life Council.

Nice To Haves

• Exceptional skills in child and family development
• Ability to create individualized treatment plans
• Outstanding leadership and communication abilities
• Ability to professionally articulate patient needs
• Ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team
• Enthusiasm for using developmentally appropriate methods to prepare children and their families for medical procedures
• Commitment to maintaining a safe, therapeutic play environment
• Proactive in professional development
• Positive attitude
• Ability to inspire students and volunteers

Responsibilities

• Develop individual treatment plans based on an assessment of the child’s development, temperament, coping style, medical plan and available social supports.
• Provide interventions/activities that support the normal growth and development of the child.
• Practice family-centered care by encouraging, supporting and utilizing family bonds/strengths in the care of the child.
• Communicates professionally regarding patient assessment and provision of child life services to child life team and multidisciplinary team.
• Effectively communicates issues/concerns and ideas to child life team and coordinator.
• Use developmentally appropriate methods in preparing patients, sibling and family members for diagnostic and treatment procedures.
• Seeks out information from medical staff regarding the plan for patient procedures/diagnostic test.
• Follows Child Life Council standards of Clinical Practice.
• Provide education concerning child development, adjustment and reactions to hospitalization/diagnosis and role model appropriate parenting skills.
• Use developmentally appropriate distraction/coping methods during a child’s identified stress points.
• Monitor and maintain play / activity area, toys, supplies and equipment to provide safe, therapeutic environment and to meet all developmental needs.
• Abide by infection control policy regarding cleaning of equipment and playroom visiting guidelines.
• Provide a safe environment for patients by being aware of all children in the room and advocating the “safe place” policy.
• Identifies self-learning needs and has a plan to meet them.
• Presents self professionally in appearance, positive attitude and uses feedback to improve in areas needed.
• Promotes professionalism, positive communication among child life team and staff members.
• Recognizes the potential for legal/ethical/risk management issues.
• Provide positive and professional supervision for child life practicum students, interns and volunteers.
• Provide experiences and opportunities to help students meet the goals of the practicum and internship.
• Provide therapeutic interventions and support during patient’s identified stress points.
• Provide therapeutic interventions to promote self-healing, self-expression and understanding of master/control.
• Identify and provide crisis intervention to patients and families.

Benefits

• Base Pay Range: $25.00 per hour, flat rate.