Child Life Specialist - Per-Diem

Overview

Provides programming based on an understanding of normal human growth and development and the impact that illness, injury, disability, and hospitalization have on the developmental process. Programming elements are designed to reduce distress, increase adaptive coping as well as protect and enhance developmental integrity.

Responsibilities

Uses knowledge of human growth and development, family systems theory and cultural backgrounds when assessing and interacting with patients and families
Develops and provides therapeutic interventions and recreational diversions to assist patients in coping with the stress of hospitalization, illness, injury, death and/or loss
Participates in patient and family teaching through the provision of appropriate information and/or materials regarding developmental progress, stress-coping theory, hospitalization and medical procedures
Provides a safe, therapeutic and developmentally supportive environment for patients and families; supervises groups of children in play therapy room as required
Advocates the psychosocial, emotional and developmental needs and concerns of patients and families to the health care team
Communicates to the healthcare team child life observations, assessments and interventions concerning patient and family care
Serves as a patient and family advocate in providing child life expertise to help ensure special events best meet the needs and concerns of hospitalized children and families
Provides child life services, as appropriate to patients requiring a tutoring referral to the appropriate public school system(s) (e.g., prepares child for operation by explaining procedures in terms appropriate to child's level of development; helps children process trauma)
Communicates changes in patient behavior or condition to nursing staff
Functions as an integral part of the Pediatrics Department in the development and execution of departmental tasks and goals
Participates in the development, coordination, and execution of the child life internship training program
Participates in the development, coordination and execution of educational inservices and material representing: child life programming, normal growth and development, and pediatric hospitalization issues
Provides child life programs as per departmental and hospital policies and procedures in a cost effective manner
Provides training and clinical supervision to interns and volunteers; determines intern and volunteer tasks, roles and duties in order to maximize their participation in and support of child life programming
Provides accurate and current documentation in patient's medical record as required
Develops an outreach program to schools in the community
Demonstrates effective problem identification and problem solving skills in performance of responsibilities
Attends meeting/rounds as required, participated actively and completes follow-up responsibilities in a consistent manner
Maintains established departmental policies and procedures, objectives, quality assurance program, safety, environmental, and infection control standards

Qualifications

Education:

Bachelors Degree in Child Life, Child Development, Early Childhood Education or related discipline and completion of a Child Life internship required.

Certification as a professional Child Life Specialist; Eligibility for Certification required (standards set by the National Child Life Council Certifying Commission).

Experience:

At least 1 year of on-the-job experience working with children is required;

2 years of on-the-job experience working with children is preferred with part of this in a health care setting.

Skills:

Advanced interpersonal skills are required for interacting with patients, families and health care personnel.

Good oral and written communication skills.

Speaks, reads and writes English to the extent required by the position.